Mauritius

Mauritius Investor Permit Overview

The Mauritius Investor Occupation Permit is a combined work and residence permit that allows foreign nationals to establish and operate a business in Mauritius, with a minimum initial investment starting at US$ 50,000. 

The permit is issued for up to ten years and is renewable, provided the holder meets progressive turnover targets. 

Two investment options are available, both requiring the establishment of a company in Mauritius and the transfer of the qualifying capital into the company’s Mauritian bank account within 60 days of permit issuance.

The permit covers residence and the right to work within the established business. 

The main applicant can include a spouse, children aged 24 and below, and parents, all of whom receive a dependent residence permit for the same duration as the main permit.

Eligibility Requirements

Applicants must establish a company in Mauritius, open a Mauritian corporate bank account, and transfer the qualifying capital within 60 days of permit issuance. 

A certified bank statement from the applicant’s bank in their country of origin evidencing the required funds must be submitted at application stage, along with a written undertaking to transfer the funds to the Mauritian corporate account within 60 days. 

Three options are available under the Investor category.

Option 1: Standard Investment

• Minimum initial investment of US$ 50,000 transferred from abroad into the company’s Mauritian bank account
• Year 1: minimum turnover of MUR 1,500,000 (approx. US$32,100)
• Years 1 to 5: progressive cumulative turnover target of MUR 20,000,000 (approx. US$428,300) by the end of Year 5
• From Year 6 onwards: minimum annual turnover of MUR 5,000,000 (approx. US$107,100) as the renewal criterion
• A mid-term review is conducted by the EDB at Year 5; permit may be revoked if turnover targets are not met

Option 2: Higher Investment

• Minimum initial investment of US$ 100,000 transferred from abroad into the company’s Mauritian bank account
• Year 1: minimum turnover of MUR 1,000,000 (approx. US$21,400)
• Years 1 to 5: progressive cumulative turnover target of MUR 15,000,000 (approx. US$321,200) by the end of Year 5
• From Year 6 onwards: minimum annual turnover of MUR 5,000,000 (approx. US$107,100) as the renewal criterion

Option 3: Innovative Startup

• No minimum fund transfer required
• The business must be an innovative startup with research and development at its core, operating in one of the eligible sectors: ICT, fintech, biotechnology, nanotechnology, or pharmaceuticals
• The project must be submitted to and recognized by the EDB, or the applicant must be registered with an incubator accredited by the Mauritius Research and Innovation Council
• Permit duration: 5 years; renewal conditions are determined by the EDB on a case-by-case basis

General Conditions (All Options)

• Non-refundable application fee of USD 50
• Medical tests required, including Hepatitis B Surface Antigen, HIV, and chest x-ray, which must be conducted in Mauritius; remaining tests may be conducted in the country of origin
• Valid passport with sufficient remaining validity
• Clean criminal record
• The Occupation Permit is not transferable; a change of business activity or category requires a fresh application

Route to Citizenship

After holding the Investor Occupation Permit for a minimum of three consecutive years and achieving a minimum annual gross income of MUR 15,000,000 (approx. US$321,200) or an aggregate turnover of MUR 45,000,000 (approx. US$963,600) over three consecutive years, holders become eligible to apply for a 20-year Permanent Residence Permit through the EDB. 

The Permanent Residence Permit allows the holder to live and work in Mauritius for 20 years without the ongoing turnover obligations of the Occupation Permit.

Mauritius citizenship by naturalization requires continuous legal residence in Mauritius for 12 months immediately preceding the application date, and an aggregate residence of five years during the seven years preceding that 12-month period. 

For Commonwealth citizens, the residency requirement may be reduced under certain circumstances; applicants should confirm the applicable requirements for their nationality directly with the Passport and Immigration Office. 

A fast-track naturalization pathway may be available for investors who invest a minimum of US$ 500,000, reducing the required residency period to approximately two years; applicants should confirm current eligibility criteria directly with the EDB and Passport and Immigration Office.

Mauritius permits dual nationality. Applicants are not required to relinquish their prior citizenship under Mauritian law.

Mobility and Taxation

Mobility

Mauritian citizens can access approximately 149 destinations visa-free or visa-on-arrival, including the Schengen Area, the United Kingdom, Singapore, and all African Union member states, holding Africa’s highest-ranked passport. 

As a Commonwealth member, Mauritius benefits from facilitated travel and consular arrangements across Commonwealth nations. Occupation Permit holders may travel freely in and out of Mauritius for the duration of the permit without requiring a re-entry visa.

Tax

Mauritius taxes residents on income sourced in Mauritius or remitted to the country. Foreign income not received in Mauritius is not subject to Mauritian income tax. 

There is no capital gains tax, no inheritance tax, and no wealth tax in Mauritius. 

Occupation Permit holders who spend 183 days or more in Mauritius in a tax year are considered tax residents and are taxed on Mauritian-sourced income and on foreign income remitted to Mauritius. Holders who spend fewer than 183 days are generally not considered tax residents and are taxed only on Mauritian-sourced income. 

There are no restrictions on repatriating profits or income from businesses operating under the Occupation Permit. 

How to Apply

The program is administered by the Economic Development Board under the Economic Development Board Act 2017 and the Immigration Act 1970. Applications are submitted online through the National Electronic Licensing System.

The process typically runs as follows.

• Step 1: Incorporate a company in Mauritius through the Registrar of Companies and obtain the business registration number; confirm whether the intended activity is regulated or non-regulated, as regulated activities require a licence or clearance from the relevant authority before operations begin.
• Step 2: Submit the Investor Occupation Permit application through the NELS online platform with all required documents, including a certified bank statement from the country of origin evidencing the qualifying investment funds, a written undertaking to transfer the funds within 60 days of permit issuance, a business plan, passport, marriage and birth certificates for any included dependents, and medical test results where available.
• Step 3: Pay the non-refundable application fee of USD 50; receive an acknowledgement of submission from the EDB.
• Step 4: Receive the approval in principle from the EDB; use this to open a Mauritian corporate bank account if not already done.
• Step 5: Receive the Occupation Permit; transfer the qualifying investment capital to the Mauritian corporate bank account within 60 days; complete any outstanding medical tests in Mauritius including Hepatitis B Surface Antigen, HIV, and chest x-ray.
• Step 6: Commence business operations; submit annual compliance documentation to the EDB demonstrating turnover performance; prepare for the mid-term EDB review at Year 5.