With its beautiful landscapes, turquoise waters, warm temperature and safe environment, Mauritius in Africa has become the premier tourist destination in the Indian Ocean. However, with the pandemic, its tourism sector began to teeter on the brink of bankruptcy.

Hospitality staff were laid off and the collapse took nearly $1.45 billion from the country’s annual gross domestic product. Now the island nation is working to recoup by extending its premium visa to digital nomads.

The aim is to attract international tourists to visit Mauritius and return to pre-pandemic era figures. The premium visa allows people to work abroad of the country for a year, Nilen Vencadasmy, president of the Mauritius Tourism Promotion Authority, Recount Bloomberg February 28.

“We are looking for digital nomads, who can plug in and start working from anywhere in the world,” he said in an interview.

To apply, you will need to present proof of your long-term stay, as well as take out travel and health insurance for at least the first part of your stay. You must be a tourist, retiree, or professional traveling with family but intending to work remotely.

Vencadasmy told Bloomberg that around 2,000 premium visa applications have been approved so far, adding that the island’s relatively advanced business infrastructure is an advantage.

“The average length of tourist stays has increased to about 15 nights from 10 before the pandemic, increasing the average income per tourist from 45,000 rupees to 84,000 rupees. Part of that is due to currency depreciation,” Vencadasmy said.

“We assumed that people would travel less, but for longer periods. And that’s exactly what we’ve been seeing since we reopened,” he added.

To learn more about the island nation’s visa options, you can visit the website: mymauritius.travel. TN fam, did you see yourself working from the beaches of Mauritius?