Mauritius Plans ETA to Speed Up Border Checks for Visa-Free Travellers

Mauritius is preparing to change how travellers enter the country. The Prime Minister, Dr Navinchandra Ramgoolam, announced that an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) system will be launched soon. He shared the update during a ceremony celebrating 50 years of Constance Hotels & Resorts.

Notably, Tourism is a major part of Mauritius’ economy. The country recorded around 1.4 million tourist arrivals in 2025. The government now wants to make travel smoother and more modern. That means better digital tools, faster border checks and fewer long queues at the airport.

What the New ETA Means

The Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) will be an online approval that people must receive before travelling to Mauritius. The goal is simple: reduce waiting time and make entry easier for both tourists and Mauritian citizens.

The government has not explained every detail yet. It is possible that the ETA could apply to everyone, even travellers who currently enjoy visa-free entry. Along with the ETA, Mauritius is also working on a digital recognition system to support a more efficient border process.

Right now, nothing has changed. The existing visa rules still apply.

Current Entry Rules

For the moment:

• Many travellers can enter Mauritius without a visa for short stays.
• Others must get a visa before arrival or receive one when they land, depending on current regulations.
• All visitors are encouraged to fill out the Mauritius All-in-One Digital Travel Form before boarding. It creates a PDF with a QR code that must be printed and handed to authorities.
  If the form is not completed in advance, travellers need to fill out an immigration card at the airport, which slows things down.

What is the Mauritius ETA?

The Mauritius ETA is a digital pre-travel approval that visitors complete online before flying. It will act as an extra security step and will help the country manage arrivals more efficiently. It is not a visa. Instead, it confirms that a traveller is cleared to enter the country before boarding the flight.

Who Will Need the ETA?

The government has not confirmed the full list yet, but it is expected that:

• Travellers from visa-exempt countries will likely need an ETA before arrival.
• Travellers who currently require a visa may still need both the visa and the ETA, depending on future rules.
• Mauritian passport holders might also use the ETA when re-entering the country.

Countries Expected to Require An ETA

Based on existing visa-free entry rules, the ETA may apply to travellers from countries such as:

• India
• United Kingdom
• United States
• European Union countries
• Australia
• New Zealand
• South Africa
• United Arab Emirates
• Saudi Arabia
• Canada
• Singapore
• Malaysia
• Japan
• South Korea

The final list will be announced once the system is officially launched.

What This Means for Travellers

For most travellers, the ETA will probably feel like a small extra step online before the trip. But if it succeeds in cutting airport queues and paperwork, many travellers will welcome the change.

Final Thoughts

For now, there is only one important takeaway. Nothing changes just yet. If you are planning a holiday in Mauritius soon, check the visa rules that already exist and complete the digital travel form before flying.

Once the ETA goes live, the government is expected to give detailed guidance and a date when the new requirement becomes mandatory.