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Mauritius occupation permit

Minimum investmentUSD 50,000
Processing time2-6 Months

Mauritius occupation permit overview

The Mauritius Occupation Permit (OP) lets non-citizens live and work in Mauritius. Holders can take up gainful employment, set up a business, or invest in the country, and the permit runs for 10 years with the option to renew if you keep meeting the criteria, such as maintaining minimum business income or continuous employment.

People apply under one of several categories. Investors transfer a minimum of USD 50,000 from abroad into a Mauritian company bank account. Self-employed applicants transfer USD 35,000, while professionals need a job paying a monthly basic salary of at least USD 700. Retired applicants aged 50 or over transfer at least USD 1,500 a month, or USD 18,000 a year, across the 10-year validity.

You can add your spouse or common law partner, your parents, and unmarried dependent children to the application. The permit also lets holders retire in Mauritius and skip a separate work permit. Processing takes 2 to 6 months.

Mauritius occupation permit benefits

  1. Grants the holder the right to live, work, and retire in Mauritius
  2. Ability to add a common law partner of the opposite sex, parents, and dependent children
  3. Permission to work in Mauritius without applying for an Occupation Permit or Work Permit
  4. Generous tax system with opportunities for tax optimization
  5. Safe and secure environment
  6. Access to high-level educational institutions

Mauritius occupation permit requirements

  1. A bank guarantee or undertaking by the employer (depends on investment type)
  2. Medical certificate issued by a doctor in Mauritius, together with the required test reports
  3. Provide all required documents in English or French (or an authorized translated copy)
  4. Make a qualifying investment where applicable

Mauritius occupation permit investment options

  1. Investor:
  2. Normal: invest a minimum of USD 50,000 from abroad into the company's Mauritian bank account
  3. Net asset value: invest a minimum net asset value of at least USD 50,000 for existing or inherited businesses, with a cumulative turnover of approx. USD 263,000 over the 3 years preceding the application
  4. High-Technology: invest at least USD 50,000 in high-tech machinery and equipment, with a minimum transfer of at least USD 25,000 from abroad into the company's Mauritian bank account, as part of a business activity that generates cumulative turnover in Mauritius, subject to certain conditions
  5. Innovative Start-Up: no investment criteria. Option 1: submit an innovative project to the Economic Development Board for approval. Option 2: register with an accredited incubator, where R&D expense should constitute at least 20% of total operational expenditure during the research phase
  6. Professionals: be employed in Mauritius by a multinational or local company with a monthly basic salary of at least USD 700
  7. Self-Employed: non-citizen, registered with the Registrar of Businesses as a one-person company, with a minimum initial transfer of USD 35,000 to a local Mauritian bank account
  8. Retired non-citizen: aged 50 years or above, with an initial transfer of at least USD 1,500 per month to a local bank account in Mauritius, then continuing to transfer at least USD 1,500 per month or a total of at least USD 18,000 per year throughout the 10-year validity of the residence permit

Mauritius occupation permit application process

Process (2 to 6 months)

  1. Choose the relevant category and submit the application with all required supporting documents and applicable fees
  2. Once approved by the PMO, an Approval in Principle is issued, valid for 90 days from the date of issue
  3. Applicants pay the non-refundable processing fees
  4. Attend an appointment for personal identification and verification of all original documents by both the EDB and the PIO
  5. The applicant receives the Mauritian Residence Permit

Frequently asked questions

Who is eligible to apply for the Mauritius Occupation Permit?

Non-citizens who plan to work, invest, or start a business in Mauritius may qualify. The exact criteria and requirements depend on the category of employment or business activity that applies to the applicant.

What are the different categories of the Mauritius Occupation Permit?

There are several main categories. The Investor category is for those investing in a business or setting up a company. The Professional category is for people with specialized skills and expertise seeking employment. The Self-Employed category is for non-citizens operating as a one-person company registered with the Registrar of Businesses. The Occupational category covers specific employment under a contract of service. The Retired Non-Citizen category is for those who want to retire and live in Mauritius.

What are the investment requirements for the different Mauritius Occupation Permit categories?

Requirements vary by category. An investor can transfer at least USD 50,000 from abroad into the company's Mauritian bank account, or hold a net asset value of at least USD 50,000 for an existing or inherited business that has achieved a cumulative turnover of about USD 263,000 over the previous three years, or invest at least USD 50,000 in high-tech machinery and equipment with a minimum transfer of USD 25,000 from abroad. The Innovative Start-Up route has no investment threshold and runs through either a project approved by the Economic Development Board or registration with an accredited incubator, where R&D makes up at least 20% of operational spending during the research phase. Professionals need a Mauritius job with a monthly basic salary of at least USD 700. Self-employed applicants make an initial transfer of USD 35,000 to a local bank account. Retired non-citizens aged 50 or above transfer at least USD 1,500 per month, or at least USD 18,000 per year, across the permit's 10-year validity.

Can dependents be included in a Mauritius Occupation Permit application?

Yes. An applicant can include a spouse, including a common law partner of a different sex, along with parents and dependent children. Stepchildren and lawfully adopted children also qualify, provided they are unmarried and not engaged in any paid activity.

Is the Mauritius Occupation Permit renewable?

Yes. Holders can apply to renew the permit, and the renewal request should be submitted at least one month before it expires. Renewal depends on continuing to meet the criteria, such as keeping a minimum business income or staying in continuous employment.

Can someone work in Mauritius without a Mauritius Occupation Permit?

No. Working in Mauritius without a valid Occupation Permit is illegal. Non-citizens must hold the relevant permit before starting any employment or business activity in the country.

What is the processing time for the Mauritius Occupation Permit?

Processing takes 2 to 6 months.

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Mauritius occupation permit

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