The visa · Part A: What the visa is, and how it works
What are the real deadlines?
Short answer: The visa deadline is the last possible day, not the target. For 2026/27 it is 30 November 2026. For 2027/28 it is 31 October 2027 (MUR circular).
| Deadline | Date | Who sets it |
|---|---|---|
| Visa application, 2026/27 | 30 November 2026 | National rules |
| Visa application, 2027/28 | 31 October 2027 | National rules |
| University application | Varies, often November to April | Your university |
| Universitaly pre enrolment | Inside the national window, but your university's own date | Your university |
| PhD | No fixed national date, but before activities start | The call you applied to |
Four things the deadline does not mean
- It is not a day you can apply on. It is the last day a file is accepted, and a file does not exist without a validated pre enrolment and your qualification papers.
- It does not move because your CIMEA is late. Sixty working days from a late start lands past it.
- It does not move because your university was slow to validate. Chase them early and in writing.
- It does not guarantee you an appointment. VFS emails students whose pre enrolment is validated, and a validation in late November leaves almost no room.
If the date has nearly passed as you read this
Then you are planning for the next academic year, and that is not a failure. A clean file next year is worth more than a rushed one now.
This page explains official rules in plain language. I am not an immigration adviser and I do not give visa advice. For that, always use official government sources. Rules change: confirm with your university, the embassy and VFS before you act.