The proposed system represents a significant digital step forward for a nation that welcomed approximately 1.4 million visitors in 2025 and aims to expand that number. Officials say the forthcoming ETA will function as an online pre-clearance platform, similar to entry systems used in the United States, Canada, and parts of Europe. Travellers would complete the screening process before boarding their flights, allowing border authorities to streamline arrivals and strengthen oversight.
While full details have yet to be released, early indications suggest the ETA could apply even to citizens of countries that currently enjoy visa-free entry. Such a change would introduce an additional step for many visitors but would not serve as a visa requirement. Instead, the ETA is designed to speed up processing, reduce manual paperwork, and make border checks more efficient during peak travel periods.
The government is developing a digital identity-recognition tool that will work alongside the ETA, further reducing congestion at Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport—an ongoing concern as tourism demand continues to rise.
For the time being, nothing changes for incoming travellers. All existing visa policies remain in place, and visitors must still complete the All-in-One Digital Travel Form before arrival. The form generates a QR code that must be presented at immigration. Passengers who neglect to complete it online are required to fill out a paper card at the airport, often leading to longer queues.
Though the government has not provided a confirmed list of countries expected to fall under the ETA mandate, analysts believe it may eventually cover Mauritius’s largest tourism markets. Travellers from India, the United Kingdom, the United States, the European Union, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Canada, Singapore, Malaysia, Japan, and South Korea—who currently enjoy visa-free access for short stays—could be required to complete the online authorization prior to travel once the system launches.
Officials insist the digital shift is not meant to deter visitors but to create a smoother, more predictable entry process that aligns with global best practices. For most travellers, the ETA is expected to be a simple pre-departure formality rather than a barrier to entry.
As Mauritius looks to strengthen its competitiveness in the global tourism market, the ETA forms part of a broader push to modernize the island’s travel infrastructure. The government is expected to publish final guidelines—including eligible countries, processing requirements, and a rollout timeline—once the platform’s development is complete.