Mauritius Visas and Residence Permits: The Different Types Explained

CONTENTS

• Mauritius visas — introduction
• Choosing the right category: OP or RP
• Occupation or work permit
• Residence permit
• Premium Visa
• Conclusion

Mauritius visas — introduction

In this article I want to set out the rules governing all applications for occupation permits in the Investor, Professional and Self-Employed categories, as well as residence permits as a retired non-citizen and as a dependant — plus this year’s new arrival, the Premium Visa.

The Occupation Permit (OP) is a combined work and residence permit allowing foreign nationals to work and live in Mauritius under three specific categories:

1. Investor, including investor in innovative start-ups
2. Professional
3. Self-employed.

Foreign nationals aged over 50 may also choose to retire in Mauritius. They are issued a residence permit as a retired non-citizen.

An occupation permit (investor and self-employed) and a residence permit as a retired non-citizen are issued for a maximum of ten years, renewable thereafter according to the established criteria.

A work permit in the professional category is issued for a maximum of three years, depending on the length of the employment contract, renewable thereafter according to the established criteria.

Dependants of OP holders or of retired non-citizens may also apply for a residence permit, for a period not exceeding that of the main holder.

Westimmo supports you through your move, and choosing the right residence permit is the most important step towards arriving on the island with peace of mind. If things are done properly from the start of your adventure, you will enjoy your move rather than endure it.

Westimmo tells you everything about the different types of permit and visa in Mauritius. Your departure will inevitably call for further information. To give yourself every chance, get in touch with us.

Choosing the right category: OP or RP

Choosing the right residence permit matters a great deal if you are to settle and live in Mauritius and enjoy its climate and its tax framework. But to choose well you first need to understand the difference between the Occupation Permit (the occupation or work permit) and the Residence Permit.

In broad terms:

The work permit, as the name suggests, allows you to work in Mauritius and makes you subject to Mauritian taxation.

The residence permit allows you to live in Mauritius but without entering the Mauritian labour market.

OCCUPATION or WORK permit

A non-citizen may apply for an OP in the category that best matches the nature of their activities in the country.

1. Investor
   Under immigration law, an investor means: a person who is not a citizen of Mauritius, or an association or body of persons, whether corporate or incorporate, the control or management of which is vested in persons who are not citizens of Mauritius, and which is registered as such with the Economic Development Board.
   An investor may apply for an OP under the following options:
   Option 1 (standard): an initial transfer of USD 50,000 to the bank account of the company under which the application is made.
   Option 2 (net asset value): net asset value of at least USD 50,000, for existing and inherited businesses, and cumulative turnover of at least MUR 12 million over the three years preceding the application.
   Option 3 (high-technology machinery and equipment): an initial investment of USD 50,000, of which:
   – a minimum transfer of at least USD 25,000 to the bank account of the company under which the application will be made;
   – the equivalent of the remaining value in high-technology machinery and equipment;
   – high-technology machinery and equipment will be valued on the basis of the invoice issued by the supplier and a report from a recognised accredited expert;
   – high-technology machinery and equipment will be valued on the basis of the supplier’s invoice and a report from a recognised accredited valuer in the country of origin;
   – where the high-technology machinery and equipment has not yet been shipped to Mauritius, the investor must submit the bill of lading for the equipment to the Occupation Permit Unit when the application is submitted;
   – the investment in high-technology machinery and equipment must be made in a qualifying activity, including but not limited to agro-industry, aquaculture, healthcare, ICT-BPO, life sciences, biotechnology, manufacturing, the ocean economy and renewable energy.
2. Investor in innovative start-ups
   Foreign nationals may apply for an innovator OP under the following two options:
   Option 1: no minimum investment required, and submission of an innovative project to the Economic Development Board.
   Option 2: registration with an incubator accredited by the Mauritius Research and Innovation Council.

   Eligibility:
   – The business plan must clearly set out all expenditure related to R&D activity.
   – The scheme applies to companies conducting R&D in qualifying sectors, including but not limited to life and health sciences, technology, ICT, fintech, biotechnology, nanotechnology, light industry, pharmaceuticals and design.
   – R&D expenditure must represent at least 20% of total operating expenditure during the research phase.
   – The Economic Development Board will assess each project case by case to determine its eligibility for the scheme.
   Westimmo can help at this stage: visit the visas page

3. Professionals
   1. A professional, as defined in immigration law, is a foreign national employed in Mauritius under an employment contract and registered as such with the Economic Development Board.
   2. A professional must earn a basic monthly salary of at least MUR 60,000.
   3. For professionals in information and communication technology (ICT), business process outsourcing (BPO), pharmaceutical manufacturing and pharmaceutical and agri-food processing, the basic monthly salary must be at least MUR 30,000.
   4. Professionals may also apply for a short-term occupation permit for a period not exceeding nine months. This permit may be extended only once, for a period not exceeding three months.
4. Self-employed
   1. A self-employed person is defined as a non-citizen carrying on a professional activity in the services sector only, registered with the Registrar of Businesses under the Business Registration Act 2002. A self-employed person must operate a one-person business, working exclusively on their own account.
   2. A self-employed person must make an initial transfer of USD 35,000, or its equivalent in freely convertible foreign currency, at the time the OP is issued, to their local bank account in Mauritius.
   3. For renewal, the business must generate business income of MUR 800,000 per year from the date of the third year of registration.
   Westimmo can help at this stage: visit the visas page

RESIDENCE permit

1. Retired non-citizen

A retired non-citizen is defined as a person who is not a Mauritian citizen and who is aged 50 or over.

– A retired non-citizen must make an initial transfer of at least USD 1,500, or its equivalent in freely convertible foreign currency, at the time the permit is issued, to their local bank account in Mauritius.
– Thereafter, the retired non-citizen must transfer at least USD 1,500 per month, or a total of at least USD 18,000 per year, or the equivalent in freely convertible foreign currency, throughout the ten years the residence permit is valid.
– At the end of each year, the retired non-citizen must submit to the Economic Development Board proof that the funds were transferred to their local bank account.

The right to invest for a retired non-citizen

The holder of a residence permit as a retired non-citizen may invest in any business provided that:
a) they are not employed in the business;
b) they do not manage the business;
c) they draw no salary or professional benefit from the business.

Please note:
The retired non-citizen must also provide information on any other residences they may hold in other jurisdictions, including tax residences. This information will be shared with the Mauritian tax authority in order to comply with the Common Reporting Standard (CRS) adopted by the Republic of Mauritius.
Westimmo can help at this stage: visit the visas page

2. Dependant permit

Dependants of occupation permit holders and/or of retired non-citizens may apply for a residence permit. Dependants are defined as the spouse (including an opposite-sex partner), parents and children, including stepchildren or legally adopted children, under the age of 24.
Westimmo can help at this stage: visit the visas page

This rather strange year has also been marked by the appearance of a new type of visa in Mauritius: the PREMIUM VISA.

PREMIUM VISA

Mauritius, a tropical destination with undeniable assets and known as one of the most beautiful islands in the world, has introduced a new travel visa: the Premium Visa.

The Premium Visa is valid for one year, with an option to renew, to encourage valued travellers to come and settle in Mauritius as tourists, retirees or professionals — extending the sense of wellbeing that comes from the turquoise sea and silky sand, the golden beaches fringed with coconut palms, the mild tropical climate and the warmth of the people, all in a “COVID-safe” destination.

Staying freely in an idyllic setting, an authentic experience that could previously only be had on holiday, is now available through the Premium Visa to any non-citizen intending to stay in Mauritius for a year as a tourist, as a retiree, or as a professional wishing to carry on their activity or work remotely from Mauritius, together with their family.

To qualify for the Premium Visa, interested visitors must provide evidence of their long-stay plans and of adequate travel and health insurance for the initial period of stay, while meeting the following criteria:

• Applicants must not enter the Mauritian labour market;
• the main place of business and/or the source of income and profits must be outside Mauritius;
• documentary evidence in support of the application, such as the purpose of the visit, accommodation and so on; and
• other basic immigration requirements (all other entry conditions for Mauritius currently in force will also apply).

In conclusion

To be sure you have forgotten nothing before your move, we offer to guide you through every step of obtaining your permit or visa. Prepare your departure calmly with Westimmo.

Every departure is different, and every situation calls for its own organisation.

Westimmo wishes you a good journey and will welcome you on your arrival in Mauritius.

Yours sincerely,

Milena