Guidelines for Application and Issuance of Entry/Residence Permit to Study in Mauritius

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Guidelines for Application and Issuance of Entry/Residence Permit to Study in Mauritius         

The Student Entry/Resident Permit allows eligible non-citizens to enter and stay in Mauritius for full-time or part-time studies at registered higher education institutions or training institutions. The whole process involves enrolment verification, application for residence permits, submission of required documents and verifications by immigration and health authorities. Understanding each step ensures that applications for the Student Entry/Resident Permit are determined in timely manner.  1. ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA FOR A STUDENT ENTRY/RESIDENCE PERMIT  i. A non-citizen enrolled on one or more programmes in higher education institutions registered with Higher Education Commission (HEC) to follow a course on a full-time basis leading to a certificate or a diploma or an undergraduate degree for a duration of at least one academic year.  ii. A non-citizen enrolled in a registered higher education institution to follow a full-time or part-time course at postgraduate level (including Postgraduate Certificate or Diploma, Masters, MPhil or Doctoral level). iii. A non-citizen conducting post Doctoral research in a registered higher education institution.  iv. A non-citizen enrolled on one or more programmes in training institutions registered with the Mauritius Qualification Authority (MQA) to follow a course on a full-time or part-time basis for a duration of at least six months leading to a certificate or diploma. v. A non-citizen coming to Mauritius on an exchange programme not exceeding a period of one year with a registered higher education institution.   2. REGISTRATION OF COURSES ON NELS Higher education institutions registered with HEC or training institutions registered with MQA shall post the accredited courses on the National Electronic Licensing System (NELS) platform. The courses are validated by the HEC or MQA, as appropriate.  3. ENROLMENT OF STUDENTS i. Higher education institutions registered with HEC or training institutions registered with the MQA will then enrol the students on NELS. ii. Upon successful enrolment, NELS will generate a unique student enrolment key. 

iii. The higher education institution or training institution shall convey the enrolment key to the student.   4. APPLICATION FOR STUDENT ENTRY/RESIDENCE PERMIT  i. All applications for Student Entry/Residence Permit must be submitted to the Passport and Immigration Office through the NELS using the enrolment key. (link to NELS portal) ii. All mandatory fields in the application form shall be duly filled in. iii. The following documents must be uploaded at the time of submission: -  (a) Photocopy of the bio-data pages of the passport (valid beyond intended period of stay); (b) Recent passport size digital photo either in Pixel (Height between 170-181 pixels, Width 132-151 pixels) or in mm (Height between 45-50 mm, Width between 35-40 mm). (c) Letter of Offer from the higher education institution or training institution; (d) Letter of Acceptance from Student; (e) Documentary evidence of availability of funds or financial capacity to meet costs of study and stay in Mauritius. (Certified Bank Statements showing a closing balance equivalent to at least MUR 150,000.00); (f) Sponsorship letter (where applicable). The sponsor should submit a proof of identity; (g) Proof of accommodation in Mauritius (rental agreement or residence confirmation or hotel booking or undertaking letter from the higher education institution or training institution for accommodation); (h) Medical Reports (valid for 6 months at the time of the application): The complete medical report must include: (i) Fitness Certificate (a full medical examination). For students coming from the following countries, the doctor must confirm that the student is not suffering from Leprosy on examination: Brazil, India, Indonesia, Bangladesh, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Madagascar, Mozambique, Myanmar, Nepal, 

Nigeria, Philippines, Somalia, Sri Lanka, United Republic of Tanzania. (ii) Blood tests as follows: ➢ Full Blood Count ➢ Fasting Blood Sugar ➢ Blood Urea ➢ Hepatitis B Surface Antigen ➢ HIV test (method used must be specified) ➢ VDRL / TPHA test ➢ Filariasis test for students from countries as mentioned hereunder: India, Bangladesh, Madagascar, Nepal, American Samoa, Angola, Benin, Brunei Darussalam, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Comoros, Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Dominican Republic, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Fiji, French Polynesia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Haiti, Ivory Coast, Indonesia, Liberia, Malaysia, Mali, Mozambique, Myanmar, New Caledonia, Niger, Nigeria, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Samoa, Senegal, Sierra Leone, South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania, Zimbabwe. (iii) Chest X-ray report certified by a radiologist (including name and signature).  5. DETERMINATION OF APPLICATIONS   i. Following submission of a complete application for student entry/residence permit, the application shall be determined by the Passport and Immigration Office, in principle, within a period of two weeks.  ii. The Passport and Immigration Office shall notify the outcome of the application to:  (i) the student; and  (ii) the higher educational institution or training institution  6. ISSUANCE OF STUDENT ENTRY/RESIDENCE PERMIT  i. Upon approval of the application, an entry permit will be issued by the Passport and Immigration Office and it will be valid for six months as from the date of 

ii. The student is advised to travel to Mauritius within a period of three months prior to the start of the course.  7. ARRIVAL IN MAURITIUS  i. Upon arrival in Mauritius, the student has to undergo the medical tests in a local medical Clinic/laboratory and upload same on NELS within a period of 14 days as from the date of arrival.   ii. The medical test will include the following: -  a) Chest X-ray at a private clinic; the report must be certified by a radiologist  b) Blood tests at a private clinic as follows: ➢  Full Blood Count ➢ Hepatitis B ➢ Hepatitis C ➢ VDRL/TPHA test  c) For students from Brazil, India, Indonesia, Bangladesh, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Madagascar, Mozambique, Myanmar, Nepal, Nigeria, Philippines, Somalia, Sri Lanka, United Republic of Tanzania, to submit a Medical Certificate issued by a Medical Practitioner registered with the Medical Council of Mauritius, confirming the student is not suffering from Leprosy.  d) HIV and Filariasis tests must be carried out within one week after arrival. The student must present themselves in person at the Aids Unit of the nearest hospital, with their passport to undergo these tests.  e) The report of the medical test must be uploaded on NELS.    8. APPOINTMENT FOR VERIFICATION OF ORIGINAL DOCUMENTS AND DETERMINATION OF APPLICATIONS  i. The student will get a notification on the NELS Platform for appointment for verification of original documents at the Passport and Immigration office, Sterling House, 9-11, Lislet Geoffroy Street, Port Louis. ii. The following original documents must be produced: (a) Passport; (b) Police Certificate; (c) Bank Statements; (d) Sponsorship letter (where applicable); (e) Proof of Accommodation; (f) Letter of Offer from the higher education institution or training institution; 

(g) Any other document as may be required by the Passport and Immigration Office  iii. Students who fail to attend their appointment on scheduled date will be granted only one additional appointment. Requests for rescheduling must be submitted by email to the Passport and Immigration Office on pio_student@govmu.org . iv. Upon verifications of original documents, the Passport and Immigration Office will:   either  (i) grant a Residence Permit; or (ii) turn down the application v. The decision is conveyed through NELS  9. OVERSTAY OFFENCE i. In accordance with Section 36 (e) of the Immigration Act 2022, it is an offence for any non-citizen to remain in Mauritius beyond the validity of their permit or visa. ii. Any person who contravenes the provisions of the Immigration Act shall commit an offence and shall, on conviction, be liable to a fine not exceeding one million rupees and to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 5 years. iii. Prior to the expiry of the Student Residence Permit, both the foreign student and the higher education institution or training institution will be notified through the National E-Licensing System (NELS).  10. EMPLOYMENT REGULATIONS Under the Employment (Non-Citizens) (Restriction) Exemptions (Amendment) Regulations 2013, foreign students enrolled on a full-time course in Mauritius in a registered higher education institution or training institution are permitted to work up to twenty hours per week.  Important notes  i. In case of missing information or clarifications, the student has 14 days to submit the required details. Failure to provide the missing information or clarifications within the delay of 14 days will result in the application being set aside. A fresh application will have to be submitted.  

ii. If the personal details of the students such as passport number, name, date of birth are incorrect in the application form, the student should liaise with the concerned higher education institution or training institution for regeneration of an enrolment key. A fresh application will have to be submitted. iii. Whenever there is a change in personal details or accommodation, the student must inform the Passport and Immigration Office on pio_student@govmu.org . iv. Failure to attend the scheduled appointment will result in termination of the process, and the student will be required to make the necessary arrangements to leave the country forthwith. v. All foreign students should provide proof of funds of at least Rs150,000 in a local bank account for each year of study after completion of the first year of study in Mauritius.  vi. After having stayed in Mauritius for three years, the student will have to swear an affidavit to the effect that he/she will not apply for Mauritian Citizenship.  General Information TOURIST / VISITOR / BUSINESS / SOCIAL VISA i. A tourist, visitor, business, or social visa does not authorize a non-citizen to pursue studies in Mauritius. Non-citizens entering Mauritius under these visa categories will not be granted any permit or visa extension to undertake studies or exchange programmes.  EXTENSION OF STUDENT PERMIT ii. A student may apply for an extension of student permit where he/she:  (a) has to resit for one or more modules; (b) intends to attend his/her graduation ceremony;  (c) has made an application for occupation permit; and (d) has been granted a leave for absence by his/her higher education institution or training institution.  iii. The student will have to liaise with his/her higher education institution or training institution for his/her enrolment key. CANCELLATION OF A STUDENT RESIDENCE PERMIT iv. A Student Residence Permit may be cancelled if the holder: (a) is deregistered by the higher education institution or training institution; 

(b) acts in contravention of the laws of Mauritius; or (c) provides false or misleading information at the time of application. v. Higher education institutions and training institutions will have to inform of any change regarding the enrolment of a foreign student, which may have an impact on the Residence Permit.