🇲🇺MauritiusEast Africa
Australia implements significant visa fee increases, raising concerns about international competitiveness and economic impact
via Le Mauricien6 min read
Australia has substantially increased visa fees, transforming visas from administrative costs into instruments of migration policy and budgetary revenue. The Resident Return Visa saw a 201% increase, from 490 to 1,475 Australian dollars, while the Bridging Visa B rose by 203%, from 190 to 575 dollars. The temporary graduate visa, which cost 2,300 dollars in early 2026, doubled to 4,600 dollars in March, and further increased to 5,750 dollars in July, marking a 150% rise in six months. The student visa increased from 710 dollars in 2024 to 2,500 dollars in July 2026, a cumulative 252% increase in two years. These fees are generally non-refundable, meaning applicants pay for their applications to be examined, not for visa approval. The Australian Department of Home Affairs website confirms that fees can change and the applicable amount is that in effect at the time of application receipt. Officially, Canberra aims to manage migration flows, limit abuses, and make the international education system more sustainable. However, the scale of the increases far exceeds inflation and administrative processing costs, effectively creating a targeted tax on migrants. The measure is expected to generate approximately 764 million Australian dollars during the financial year, despite the international education sector contributing around 53.6 billion dollars to the Australian economy the previous year. This policy risks deterring students from Africa, South Asia, and small island states like
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by Le Mauricien.
Mauritius has initiated the first phase of the Tax Inspectors Without Borders – Criminal Investigation TIWB-CI program in Plaine Magnien. This international collaboration aims to enhance the capabilities of Mauritian authorities in detecting, investigating, and prosecuting tax offenses through specialized technical assistance. The initial phase, running from July 20 to 24, will allow the MRA, the Registrar of Companies, the Ministry of Industry, SMEs and Cooperatives, and the Bank of Mauritius to assess their current mechanisms for combating tax crimes. This assessment will help identify any shortcomings and strengthen their investigative frameworks. The Mauritius Revenue Authority MRA benefits from this capacity-building program, which is jointly implemented by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development OECD, the United Nations Development Programme UNDP, the African Tax Administration Forum ATAF, and the World Bank.
Mauritius' trade deficit significantly widened in May, reaching Rs 22.3 billion compared to Rs 16.5 billion in May 2025. This annual deterioration is primarily due to a 19.7% increase in imports, which rose from Rs 26.4 billion in May 2025 to Rs 31.6 billion in May 2026. Concurrently, total exports decreased by 6.2%, falling from Rs 9.895 billion to Rs 9.282 billion. South Africa remains the top destination for Mauritian exports, accounting for 13.6% of the total, followed by the United States 10.8%, the United Kingdom 10.1%, France 10.1%, Madagascar 8.5%, and Spain 7.5%. For imports, China leads with 19.1%, followed by the Sultanate of Oman 14%, Belgium 9.6%, South Africa 6.6%, India 6.5%, and Singapore 6.5%.
Mauritius is initiating its first national image campaign for Google Street View, aiming to allow global internet users to virtually explore the country's roads, landscapes, tourist sites, and iconic locations. From July 19 to August 21, 2026, four vehicles equipped with high-definition cameras will traverse public roads, photographing tourist attractions, historical monuments, and other points of interest. World Travel in 360 WTI 360 Ltd will conduct the campaign, with the Mauritius Tourism Promotion Authority MTPA providing logistical support and securing government authorizations. The panoramic images will be assembled, geolocated, processed, and then integrated into Google Maps and Google Earth, creating a visual record of Mauritian territory accessible globally. This project addresses a digital gap, as Mauritius is one of the few tourist destinations lacking extensive professional coverage on Google Street View. Future visitors will be able to virtually explore hotel surroundings, identify routes to beaches and attractions, and familiarize themselves with regions before arrival, which is expected to reassure travelers and aid their choices. Hotels, restaurants, guesthouses, cultural sites, and tourism operators could gain increased visibility on Google Maps and in online searches. Residents will also benefit from an additional tool for locating addresses, planning routes, or assessing access to places. The images could also support urban planning, infrastructure manageme