The basics for Mauritians
Mauritius is one of a small number of African countries on New Zealand's visa-waiver list. If you are a Mauritian citizen travelling on a Mauritian passport, you don't need to apply for a visitor visa for a holiday, a family visit or a short business trip.
You do need an NZeTA. Since 1 October 2019, every visa-waiver traveller must have one before travelling to New Zealand by air, and all cruise passengers need one too. It is approved online, linked to your passport, and checked by your airline before you board.
Once approved, your NZeTA:
- Is valid for up to 2 years
- Covers many visits, each up to 90 days
- Includes the IVL tourism levy for visitors
It ends early if:
- Your passport expires
- You get a new passport
- It is cancelled by the authorities
How to get your NZeTA
You don't need to visit an embassy or high commission. The whole process happens online, and our form checks your answers for mistakes before submission.
Start your application
Enter your email address, phone number and the type of travel: visit or transit.
Add your travellers
You can add up to 10 people in one go, such as a whole family travelling together.
Answer a few questions
Questions cover health, criminal convictions and any previous problems entering other countries.
Upload a photo and pay
Use a clear photo of each traveller and pay with a Visa, Mastercard or American Express card.
Apply for an NZeTA from Mauritius
Allow up to 72 hours for a decision. You can choose normal processing (48–72 hours), emergency (24–48 hours) or rush (12–24 hours). See the fees and processing times page for prices.
Passport, photo and names
| Requirement | What to check |
|---|---|
| Mauritian passport | Valid for at least 3 months after you plan to leave New Zealand. Your national identity card is not accepted. |
| Photo | Front-facing, plain light background, no sunglasses. A phone photo is acceptable. |
| Names | Exactly as printed in the passport, including all given names. |
Mauritian names come from many traditions, including French, Indian, Chinese and Creole. Whatever your name, copy it from the machine-readable lines on your passport photo page. Accents such as é or è are dropped in that line, and the airline system will expect the same spelling.
Dual nationals: some Mauritians also hold French, British or another nationality. Choose one passport, apply for the NZeTA with it and travel on that passport throughout your journey.
From Port Louis to New Zealand
There are no direct flights between Mauritius and New Zealand. Travellers from Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport usually connect through one of these:
- A Gulf hub, such as Dubai
- An Asian hub, such as Singapore or Kuala Lumpur
- An Australian city, such as Perth, Melbourne or Sydney
- Johannesburg, with onward connections
Check the transit rules for each country you pass through. Your NZeTA is only for New Zealand. New Zealand is 8 to 9 hours ahead of Mauritius, depending on daylight saving.
Because both countries are in the southern hemisphere, the seasons match. December to February is summer in both places, but New Zealand summers are cooler and drier than in Mauritius. If you visit from June to August, expect real winter weather, including snow in the mountains of the South Island.
Many Mauritians combine a trip to New Zealand with a visit to family in Australia, where there is a sizeable Mauritian community. Remember that Australia has its own entry requirements. Flights across the Tasman Sea between the two countries take around 3 to 4 hours.
What the NZeTA covers
Allowed
- Tourism and sightseeing
- Visiting family and friends
- Business meetings and conferences
- Short courses up to 3 months
- Transit through Auckland
Not allowed
- Working in New Zealand
- Stays longer than 90 days
- Medical treatment as the main purpose
- Long-term study
Travelling for work meetings? Read the business visitor guide. Joining a cruise? See NZeTA for cruise passengers.
Biosecurity and border checks
When you arrive, a border officer checks your passport and NZeTA and decides whether to let you in. Be ready to show a return or onward ticket, proof of funds, and details of where you are staying. Complete the New Zealand Traveller Declaration before you land.
Declare food from home. Spices, chilli pastes, achards, dried fish, vanilla, fresh fruit such as lychees and mangoes, seeds and plant cuttings must all be declared. New Zealand has strict biosecurity rules, and undeclared items can lead to a fine.
Everything ready? Complete your NZeTA application and you will receive the decision by email.
FAQs for Mauritian travellers
Yes. Mauritian citizens can visit New Zealand for up to 90 days without a visa, but must hold an approved NZeTA before travelling.
At least 72 hours before your first flight. Journeys from Mauritius usually involve one or two connections, so applying a week or more ahead gives you a comfortable margin.
Your NZeTA only covers New Zealand. If your route goes through Australia, check whether you need an Australian transit visa or travel authority.
No. The NZeTA is for visitors only. You would need a work visa to take up any job in New Zealand.
Yes. Each child needs their own NZeTA, linked to their own passport. You can add the whole family in a single application.
You must declare them when you arrive. Biosecurity officers will inspect them, and some items may be refused. Declaring is always safer than risking a fine.