Residence permits and visas to live or work in Mauritius

Regardless of your background and aspirations, Mauritius provides a program that facilitates settlement, investment, employment, or retirement in this beautiful nation.

The EDB (Economic Development Board) is the government body that helps foreign nationals settle on the island. While it is possible to handle the necessary procedures independently, online, it is recommended to engage the services of a relocation company. They possess the expertise to guide you through the intricacies of each scheme and streamline the process of acquiring your residence or work permit.

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There are several possible schemes for establishing Mauritius as your place of residence:

• Occupation permit as Investor: investing in a company
• Residence permit : investing in a property
• Occupation Permit as Professional: working for a mauritian company
• Residence permit as retired
• Young Occupation Permit: post-study work permit
• Premium visa

If you wish to discover Mauritius first, a tourist visa is sufficient. Valid for 3 months, it can be extended by the Passport and Immigration Office for a maximum of 6 months per calendar year.

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Residence and work permits are valid for 10 years and are renewable.

Residence permit holders may have as dependants their spouse (of the opposite sex), their children (unmarried, no age limit) and their parents.

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You are investing in a property (Residence Permit)

If you invest in a property that qualifies under the IRS, RES, PDS or IHS scheme, or in a 2-storey flat with a minimum purchase price of $375,000, you will be entitled to a residence permit and the possibility of working without having to obtain a work permit. Your permit will be valid for as long as you own the property and reside in Mauritius for more than 183 days a year.

You invest in a company (Occupation Permit as Investor) 

You will be both a shareholder and a director.

Four types of investment are possible: 

• You set up a company with an initial transfer of $50,000 or its equivalent from abroad into the bank account of the Mauritian company, within four weeks after issuance of the permit.
• You are buying an existing or inherited business with a net asset value of at least $50,000 (or its equivalent) and a cumulative turnover of at least 12 million rupees (approximately $265,000) over the three years preceding the application.
• Your business requires high technology. Your minimum total investment is $50,000, including an initial transfer of at least $25,000 from abroad. You must import the equivalent of the remaining value in high-tech machinery and equipment.
  

For these 3 types, your Investor Occupation Permit may be renewed if you generate a minimum turnover of 4 million rupees a year from the 3rd year onwards.

• You are investing in an innovative start-up. There is no obligation to transfer any funds. The scheme applies to companies carrying out R&D activities in eligible sectors, including life and health sciences, ICT, fintech, biotechnology, nanotechnology, pharmaceuticals and design.
  

You are a self-employed (Occupation Permit as Self-Employed)

You work in the service sector and may only employ administrative staff. You must transfer $35,000 or the equivalent from abroad to a local account no later than 4 weeks after your permit is issued.

You are employed by a Mauritian company (Occupation Permit as Professional)

The application can be handled by you or the company. Your minimum salary must be Rs30,000/month. Your residence permit will be valid for 6 months beyond the end of your contract, provided you submit your application to the EDB within 15 days of the end of your contract. 

It has recently become possible to apply for a work permit under a tourist or business visa.

You are retired (Residence Permit as Retired) 

To qualify to a Residence permit as retired in Mauritius, you must be over 50, not currently employed, and provide the tax authorities with a list of residences (and tax residences) held in other jurisdictions. You will be able to invest in a business but active involvement or receiving a salary is not permitted.

There are 2 ways for you and your family to obtain a residence permit:

• Transfer a minimum of $1,500/month or its equivalent in foreign currency or provide a minimum deposit of $18,000/year in your local bank account.

When applying for a permit, a certified bank statement from the applicant’s country of origin or residence proving that they have funds available will be requested, as well as a written undertaking to open a local bank account within two months.

• The Immigration Act will be amended to grant a residence permit to a retired non-citizen and his family on the acquisition of a property worth over $200,000 in a PDS project relating to senior living.
  

Permanent Residence Permit

Holders of an existing Residence Permit can apply for a permanent residence permit provided that they have met certain conditions for 3 consecutive years prior to the application:

• Investors in a company: a minimum turnover of 15million rupees per year or a total of 45 million rupees
• Self-employed: a minimum turnover of Rs 3 million a year
• Retired: minimum deposit of $18,000/year on a local bank account
• Employees: perceived a minimum salary of Rs150,000/month.

The Permanent Residence Permit is valid for 20 years and is renewable.

Premium Visa 

This is for those who wish to reside in Mauritius for more than 6 months. Premium visas are valid for 1 year and can be renewed.

Applications are made online via the EDB website, either from Mauritius on a tourist visa or from your country of origin. Depending on your nationality, you may need to be in Mauritius to apply online. Consult the list of countries concerned on the EDB website.

To apply for a Premium Visa, you will need to provide proof of income of around $1,500/month for the duration of the visa (3 most recent bank statements and proof of monthly income) and $500/month for each dependent child of unlimited age, a travel and health insurance, a return air ticket and a proof of accommodation on the island.

The holder of a Premium visa is required to pay income tax on sums transferred to a bank account in Mauritius if they have not been taxed in the country of origin or residence.

Post-study work permit (Young Occupation Permit)

Once you have completed higher education in Mauritius, you can work in the country for 3 years under a contract with a company.

In Mauritius, everything is done to help you settle in, to invest, work or simply enjoy all the advantages of the country for your retirement. Contact the EDB or a relocation company that can help you take the plunge with complete peace of mind. 

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Economic Development Board
www.edbmauritius.org • www.residency.mu • +230 203 3800

Passport & Immigration Office
www.passeport.govmu.org • +230 260 2073 • piomain@govmu.org