Working & Living in Mauritius

Mauritius is a safe and peaceful island, blessed with a tropical climate, lovely beaches, and hospitable people from a mix of various cultural traditions. Equally important Mauritius has now become an unavoidable location for those willing to do and thrive their business in the region as all the necessary factors one would consider for relocation are readily available.

With the objective to become a high-income economy in the next decade, Mauritius has been encouraging foreign talents, know-how and investment into the country. Whether you are an investor, a professional, a self-employed or a retired non-citizen, there are a number of compelling reasons to consider Mauritius as your location for doing business and living.

Foreign nationals wishing to work, live or retire in Mauritius may explore various avenues either through the Occupation Permit, the Residence Permit or the Permanent Residence Permit.  They are also eligible to acquire property in Mauritius under prescribed conditions.

Permanent Residence Permit

The Permanent Residence Permit (“PRP”) allows a non-citizen to work and live in Mauritius for a period of 20 years. The following categories are eligible for the PRP.

  • Investor: Holder of an OP as Investor for at least 5 years, immediately preceding the date of application for the PRP, with: a minimum annual turnover of at least MUR 15 million for 5 years preceding the application; or an aggregate turnover of MUR 75 million for any consecutive period of 5 years immediately preceding the application.
  • Professional: having Holds an OP as Professional or a valid work permit for at least 5 years, and has a basic monthly salary of at least MUR 400,000 for 5 consecutive years immediately preceding the application for the PRP. The application should be made not later than 6 months after satisfying the criteria
  • Self-employed: Holds an OP as self-employed for at least 5 years with an annual business income of at least MUR 3 million for the 5 consecutive years, immediately preceding the application for the PRP or; an aggregate turnover of MUR 15 million for a consecutive period of 5 years immediately preceding the application. The application should be made not later than 6 months after satisfying the criteria.
  • Retired non-citizen: Holds a RP as a Retired Non-Citizen for at least 5 years and transfer of such amounts, by instalments or otherwise, the aggregate of which shall be at least USD 200,000 or its equivalent in freely convertible foreign currency, for a consecutive period of 5 years immediately preceding the application.
Resident Permit for the Retired

1. Retired Non-Citizen: an initial transfer of at least USD 2,000 into a local bank within 60 days from the issuance of the residence permit and thereafter, either a sum of SD 24,000 annually or USD 2,000 per month. For renewal, the applicant shall demonstrate availability of funds of USD 24,000 yearly into his local bank account.

2. Dependents: Dependents of an OP or RP holders are eligible to apply for a residence permit for the same period as the main holder.

Dependents are referred to as spouse (including Common Law Partner of the opposite sex), parents and children (including stepchildren or lawfully adopted children) who are unmarried and not engage in any gainful activity..

 Occupation Permit

The Occupation Permit (“OP”) allows a foreign citizen to work and reside in Mauritius provided certain conditions are met. The OP can be applied for under three different categories as detailed below;;

1.  Investor: an investor is eligible to apply for an Investor OP under the following options:

  • Initial investment of USD 50,000 or its equivalent and a minimum turnover of MUR 1.5 million as from year 1 of registration with progressive growth to achieve a cumulative turnover of MUR 20 million by year 5 of registration. The renewal criteria is a minimum annual turnover of 5 million rupees as from year 6 of registration.
  • Initial investment of USD 100,000 or its equivalent and a minimum turnover of MUR 1 million as from year 1 of registration with progressive growth to achieve a cumulative turnover of MUR 15 million by year 5 of registration. The renewal criteria is a minimum annual turnover of 5 million rupees as from year 6 of registration.
  • Investor for innovative start-ups: Submission of an innovative project to the Economic Development Board or Registered with an incubator accredited with the Mauritius Research and Innovation Council For renewal, such conditions as the Chief Executive Officer of the Economic Development Board may determine.

Permit duration 10 years.

2. Professional: There are two categories of Professional Occupation Permit:

  • ProPass(Professional Pass): a monthly basic salary of at least MUR 30,000.
  • Expert Pass: a monthly basic salary of at least MUR 250,000.

Permit duration: up to 10 years

3. Self-Employed: Initial investment of USD 50,000 in a professional activity in the services sector only, the provision of 3 letters of intent including 2 from potential local clients and a minimum business income of 750,000 rupees as from year 1 of registration with a progressive growth to achieve a cumulative turnover of 6 million rupees by year 5 of registration. For renewal, the business activity should generate a minimum business income of 1.5 million rupees per year as from year 6 of registration.

Non-citizens holding an OP as self-employed will be allowed to employ one local administrative staff

Permit duration: up to 10 years