The Innovator Occupation Permit seeks to nurture the innovation ecosystem in Mauritius by welcoming ambitious entrepreneurs and startups, who have Research and Development as a core aspect of their activities. Investors have a unique opportunity to test and scale up ideas into innovative products or services, by leveraging on supporting networks.

The Self-Employed Occupation Permit is ideal for a freelancer wishing to relocate to a tropical jurisdiction with reliable telecommunication networks. Beyond the possibility to pursue an active lifestyle, it also provides the opportunity to provide professional services to both local and international clients.

A foreign investor who invests at least USD 375,000 in a qualifying business activity is eligible to apply for a permanent residence permit. An exclusive 20-year residency is given to ensure you settle and your business is productive while you explore other various opportunities in Mauritius.

The Smart Cities, revolving around the work, life and play concept, are large-scale mixed-use developments in cosmopolitan conurbations with smart technology and pioneering innovation at their core. residential estates are embedded within an integrated masterplan fostering a sustainable and happier lifestyle with ample space and opportunities for innovation driven businesses and multiple leisure amenities, while living next door.

A non-citizen can acquire a residential unit, being a townhouse, villa, apartment, penthouse, or a duplex within any of the smart cities.

Also, non-citizen holders of residence permits, occupation permits or permanent residence permits can acquire a plot of serviced land of an extent of 2,100 m2 for the purpose of building a residence, in a residential development located in a smart city, approved by the EDB. The acquisition has to be made not later than 30 June 2022.

If the acquisition of the residential property is made at a minimum of USD 375,000, the non-citizen is eligible for a residence permit.

As announced in Budget 2021/22 and pursuant to Section 5(1)(ga) of the Immigration Act, a residence permit is now granted to the non-citizen upon acquisition of a residential property in a building of at least 2 floors above ground floor for an amount not lesser than USD 375,000 or its equivalent in any other freely convertible foreign or Mauritian currencies. The residence permit is valid for as long as the non-citizen remains the owner of the residential property under the G+2 scheme.

Foreigners are allowed to purchase apartments in developments outside of the approved residential schemes.

The apartments should be located in condominium developments of at least two levels above ground (G+2) and the purchase price of an apartment should not be less than MUR 6 million or its equivalent in any other hard convertible foreign currency.

The Invest Hotel Scheme allows a non-citizen investor and individual guests to become an owner of exclusive hotel units located in Mauritius.

A non-citizen can acquire a room (or a hotel unit) in new or existing hotels approved under the IHS. The owner thus gets a privileged access to all the facilities of exquisitely furnished luxury resort hotel(s) with amenities like F&B, fully serviced spas and fitness centres, resort-style pools.

The unit owner or any person on his behalf may use that unit for a total of 45 days in any period of 12 months, and can also derive an income through the lease back model. If the unit/room is acquired for a minimum amount of USD 375,000, the owner would be eligible for a residence permit.

The Property Development Scheme (PDS) is one of the approved schemes, which has been designed to facilitate the development and subsequent purchase of luxurious properties by non-citizens in Mauritius.

Projects developed under this scheme provide outstanding luxury residential properties of high international standards together with high quality open spaces, high-class leisure and recreational facilities as well as day-to-day management services.

On acquisition of residential property for a price exceeding USD 375,000, a non-citizen is granted a residence permit for so long as he/she holds the residential property. The spouse and children below the age of 24 are also granted a residence permit. Non-citizens who have a residence permit under PDS will be exempted from an Occupation or Work permit to invest and work in Mauritius.

Another product of the luxury residential offerings of Mauritius, RES projects offers different type of residences ( Villas, penthouses, duplexes, apartments) located within exclusive albeit smaller residential developments.

A foreigner can acquire a residential property in existing RES projects and will be eligible for a residence permit for himself and his dependents if he has invested a minimum amount of USD 375,000 to acquire the property. The owners may rent the property, become tax resident in Mauritius and face no restriction on the repatriation of funds or revenue raised from the sale or renting of the property.

Non-citizens who have a residence permit under RES will be exempted from an Occupation or Work permit to invest and work in Mauritius.

Residential estates developed under the IRS offer a wide variety of world class amenities for leisure, entertainment and wellness such as golf courses, marinas, beachclub, clubhouses and wellness centres that surrounds the residences and provide an exclusive resort experience.

A foreigner can acquire residential properties, like villas, townhouses, penthouses, apartments, duplexes and serviced plots of land in existing IRS projects.

The non-citizen and dependents are eligible for a residence permit when he/she has acquired the property at a minimum amount of USD 375,000. The owners may rent the property, become tax resident in Mauritius and face no restriction on the repatriation of funds or revenue raised from the sale or renting of the property. Non-citizens who have a residence permit under IRS will be exempted from an Occupation or Work permit to invest and work in Mauritius.

In line with its growing development, Mauritius opens its doors for job market to foreign students who have studied in a tertiary education institution in the country.

They are eligible for a maximum 3-year Occupation Permit, depending on the duration of the contract of employment.

The Mauritian Diaspora Scheme is an initiative of the Government of Mauritius to attract members of the Mauritian Diaspora back to Mauritius to participate in the economic development of the country.

Categories of applications
A member of the Mauritian diaspora may apply for the scheme under one of the following categories: professional, self-employed and young professional, which best reflects the nature of this activities in Mauritius and meets the eligibility criteria defined.

Application for the MDS
An application for a Mauritian Diaspora Certificate shall be made by a member to the Economic Development Board.

• Either at any time before he returns to Mauritius; or
• not more than 180 days from the date he starts his first employment in Mauritius or from the date of registration of his first business in Mauritius.

A member of the Mauritian Diaspora who has returned to Mauritius on or after 15 March 2022 but before the coming into operation of the Economic Development Board (Mauritian Diaspora Scheme) Regulations 2023 shall 365 days from the date he starts his first employment in Mauritius or registers his first business in Mauritius be eligible to apply for a certificate under the Scheme.

An application for a Certificate under the Mauritius Diaspora Scheme must be submitted to the Economic Development Board.

Option 1: Retired Non-Citizen +50 years
Retiring in Mauritius may be your best choice if you are aged 50 or above.

With just USD 1500 monthly, you can benefit from a 10-year Residence Permit and live in a peaceful environment. The Residence Permit further offers you the possibility to apply for a 20-year Permanent Residence Permit after 3 consecutive years.

Right to Invest by Retired Non-Citizen +50 years: The holder of a residence permit as a retired non-citizen may invest in any business, provided that – (a) he is not employed in the business; and (b) he does not derive any salary or employment benefits from the business.

Key Features

• Residency Validity: 10 years
• Applicable fee: USD 1,000
• Renewable: Evidence of availability of funds of USD 18,000 yearly from country of origin or residence.

Option 2: Residency by acquisition
You may acquire a unit (house, villa or apartment) in a property development scheme for senior living where there is a no minimum price for granting a residence permit. Also you may acquire a luxurious unit (house, villa or apartment in the conventional Property Development Scheme or one of the smart cities where a minimum price of USD 375,000 is required for the granting of the residence permit.

Option 3: Premium Visa
To qualify for the Premium Visa, interested visitors should produce proof of their long stay plans and sufficient travel and health insurance for the initial period of stay while meeting the following criteria:

• the applicants should not enter the Mauritius Labour market;
• the main place of business and source of income and profits should be outside Mauritius;
• documentary evidence to support application such as purpose of visit, accommodation etc.; and
• other basic immigration requirements.