I’ve just come across an article from the RTBF (Radio Télévision Belge de la communauté Française) written yesterday (12/02/2009) hinting that Mauritians will not need visas to enter any of the 27 EU countries very shortly provided (i) the stay is for less than 3 months and (ii) the stay does not involve paid work. This is a quote:
Un régime d’exemption mutuelle de visa sera en effet bientôt établi entre les 27 pays de l’Union européenne et les îles d’Antigua-et-Barbade, les Bahamas, Saint-Christophe-et-Nevis, l’île Maurice et les Seychelles.
Ces exemptions réciproques de visa ne vaudront toutefois que pour les séjours inférieurs à un durée de 3 mois, et ne s’appliquera pas aux personnes s’y rendant pour exercer une activité rémunérée. Ces nouvelles dispositions légales devraient être d’application dans les semaines à venir.
Anyone can confirm?
I’ve read this news in mauritian newspapers last year. But I don’t know when it will be in force…
I sincerely hope this becomes a reality. It’s such a pain to have to apply for a visa. In 2006, my brother (in France) won 4 tickets (Paris-Sicily) plus accommodation. SInce my wife and I were not yet Canadian citizens nor owned a car at the time , we had to take a day off work, take the bus to the French Consulate to apply for a visa. The lady there (I just hate her) was not nice at all and was assuming all kinds of things. She only told us that there was a high chance that our application would be rejected after we paid. Needless to say that my wife and I were not happy. We had to buy our tickets before we could apply for the visa. We were happy we bought travel insurance, and got some money back.
Fast forward to 2007. We were Canadian citizens with Canadian passports arriving at CDG: no question asked at the immigration counter.
My sister-in-law heard an interview on the radio during which one of our ministers was talking about this. She reported something along the lines that “citizenship test will not be required for Mauritian UK residents”, but I am skeptical about that. I think what she heard but mis-understood was that visas will not be required, as it was already agreed in principle but just awaiting the government of Mauritius to ratify the agreement.
Good news, indeed. At last, short week-end breaks to Paris will be possible.
Eddy.
For more info:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_Union_visa_lists#Visa_requirements_for_Schengen_member_countries
Eddy.
Another follow-up, I think the agreement is already effective. The website for the french embassy in London no longer lists Mauritius as one of the countries whose nationals require visa.
Eddy.
So everything confirmed then :-)
I’ll need to start saving some money.
cool i won’t need a visa to visit the Netherlands
:-)
Looks like, but I think that different countries will ratify and implement the agreement at different times.
Eddy.
Eddy,
I think you may have jumped the gun on that one. The consulate website for the French Embassy in the UK still requires visas for Mauritian nationals. I expect you’ve been looking at a list or something, but if one goes by the drop down list in the section “Do you need a visa?”, then the website is rather blunt – we still need one.
However, after a lot of to-ing and fro-ing, I expect the agreements to be ratified and implemented shortly, hopefully within the coming weeks if one is to believe the meeting agendas of the EU in Brussels.
Can sumone confirm this for me!! longing 2 spend sumtym in paris!!
Good luck with your travelling! :)
That’s great news! I also came across this article:
http://fr.allafrica.com/stories/200902270297.html
regarding Air Mauritius’ promotional campaign called “Early Bird”.
“…Les billets d’avion pour l’Angleterre coûteront ainsi Rs 15 000, sans la taxe, pour un séjour qui est effectué entre le 1er mai et le 19 juillet, avec un retour au plus tard le 23 juillet 2009 au pays.
Francfort, Paris, Milan et Genève sont accessibles à Rs 16 500, sans la taxe. D’autres destinations européennes coûteront Rs 17 500, toujours sans la taxe…”
well ive been really happy to hear that , as am living in ireland myself but its such a pain in the ass , that actually we still need a visa to travel around eu except travelling around uk !! am really looking forward for some holidays in italy or portugal , anybody can confirm plz about all this agreement stuff between mau and eu ??? and when plz ?? really need some help here , thanks mates !!
The best thing would be to ask someone from the Passport and Immigration Office.
Hi
cool i won’t need a visa to visit the Netherlands. Fast forward to 2007. We were Canadian citizens with Canadian passports arriving at CDG: no question asked at the immigration counter.
You meant fast rewind? What happened to your Canadian citizenship?
It’s true that it’s so easy with a Canadian passport. No question asked like you said.
It is confirmed that Mauritians do not need a visa to go on holidays UK. How cool is that :)