Madam Speaker, I am informed by the Passport and Immigration Office that, on 09 April 2025, Mr L.R., a citizen of Mauritius, aged 61 years, submitted an application for an entry visa for the purpose of marriage on behalf of Ms A.M.R., a Malagasy national, aged 42 years. On 16 May 2025, the application was turned down in the absence of relevant documents. On 15 July 2025, Ms A.M.R. made an appeal to reconsider her application for visa.

35 By virtue of Section 19A(2)(a)(i) of the Civil Status Act, no marriage shall be celebrated unless an entry visa has been issued to the non-citizen for the purpose of the publication of the intended marriage. Under Section 19A(2)(iii) (EA) and (EB) of the Civil Status Act, a non-citizen intending to get married to a Mauritian has to submit the following documents – (i) an affidavit or any other legal document, duly sworn or affirmed by him/her before a Court of Law in his/her country of residence, attesting that he/she is in gainful employment or, alternatively, has sufficient means to maintain himself/herself, and (ii) an affidavit or any other legal document, duly sworn or affirmed by him/her before a Court of Law in his/her country of residence, attesting the marital status of the person. The policy is to grant entry visa for the purpose of marriage upon submission of the documents as provided under Section 19A of the Civil Status Act. Madam Speaker, I wish to point out that there have been several cases whereby non- citizens have come to Mauritius for the purpose of marriage without the documents required under Section 19A of the Civil Status Act. Since they are not able to get married without these documents, they request for extension of their visas and therefore, they remain in Mauritius on visa for long periods of time. This is why non-citizens applying for a visa for the purpose of marrying a citizen, are requested to provide upfront the required documents under Section 19A of the Civil Status Act. Ms A.M.R. has therefore been requested to submit the documents required under Section 19A of the Civil Status Act. As at date, she has not submitted any documents. I am informed that there have been instances, Madam Speaker, whereby non-citizens are getting married to citizens for the sole purpose of obtaining residence in Mauritius. In order to address such issues, my Office is reviewing the Civil Status Act as well as the Mauritius Citizenship Act and the Immigration Act for any consequential amendments.

Thank you. The Table has been advised that PQ B/l034, which is the next one, will be replied by hon. Minister of Labour and Industrial Relations, PQ B/1040 will be replied by hon. Minister

36 of Land Transport and PQ B/1047 will be replied by hon. Minister of Information Technology, Communication and Innovation. So, now I think I should call the Third Member for Grand’ Baie & Poudre d'Or, Mr Etwareea. DEVELOPMENT BANK OF MAURITIUS LTD – MR D.A., COMMUNICATION ADVISOR – APPOINTMENT DETAILS