TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS OF MAURITIUS

A valid passport, or an internationally recognised travel document, and a valid return or onward passage tickets are required. Visitors should have adequate funds to cover the duration of their stay. Extension s of stay may be applied for at the Police Immigration Department, Line Barracks, Port Louis, with two passport size photographs and evidence that visitors do not intend to be a burden on the state. The office is open Monday to Friday, 10 am-12 am and 2 to 2.30 PM and Saturdays 10 am to 11.30 am.

Vaccination certificates are required if coming from   an infected area. Cholera vaccination is no longer required for travellers to Mauritius and according to the recent epidemiological situation, there is no malaria risk. Check with a doctor of travel agent prior to departure for the latest requirements. Regulations are strict, particularly for those arriving from Africa.

Passengers of 16 years of age and over may import duty free:250 grams of tobacco (including cigars and cigarettes), 2 litres of spirits, 2 litres of wine, ale or beer, one quarter litre of toilet water and a quantity of perfume not exceeding 10cl.

A plant import permit may be obtained from the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Natural Resources. All plant material must be declared to Customs immediately on arrival and is subject to examination.

All animals including animal material need an import permit from the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Natural resources, and a sanitary certificate of country of origin. All animals must be declared to the Customs immediately on arrival and landing is only allowed if certificates issued by the Veterinary Authorities of the exporting country is in conformity with the Import Permit. Dogs and cats undergo a 6 months' quarantine. Birds and other animal species up to 2 months.

Additional information may be obtained from the Division of Veterinary services of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Natural Resources at Reduit. Tel : 454-1016. For animal and plant inspection and delivery permits, contact the Agricultural Services, Head Office, Reduit. Tel: 454-1016.

Firearms and ammunitions must be declared on arrival. A compulsory airport tax of 100 rupees is levied on all departing passengers, except for those travelling to Rodrigues.

There are no limit on the amount of foreign currency brought into the country in the form of travellers cheques, bankers drafts or letters of credit. Travellers may import Mauritian notes to the maximum of 700 RS and take out 350 RS. Major credit cards are accepted at banks and most shops and restaurants.

The monetary unit is the Mauritian Rupee (RS) which is divided into 100 cents (cs). There are 1-rupee pieces, 5, 10, 100, 200, 500, and Rs 1000. Foreign currency notes, drafts, travellers cheque and other banking instruments may be imported into Mauritius without restriction.