The different types of residence permit to live, work, invest and retire in Mauritius

Mauritius is a well-known destination for a great number of expatriates, especially French expats, thanks to its numerous natural assets. Over the years, the island has attracted an increasing number of tourists, but also non-citizens willing to live in Mauritius as workers, investors or retirees. Different types of visas and residence permits have been available to them by the Mauritian authorities.

Visas and residence permits

Visas

Foreigners arriving in Mauritius should hold the appropriate visa which clearly indicates the reason for their visits. Non-citizens wishing to work and live in Mauritius should request a business visa valid for a maximum of 120 days during a civil year.

Tourists and non-citizens applying for an occupation permit as foreign retirees or dependent, are eligible for a tourist visa valid for a maximum of 180 days during a civil year.

The Mauritian Occupation Permit

The Occupation Permit (OP) is a mix of work permit and residence permit, granted to a non-citizen to work and live in Mauritius as investors, professionals or self-employed.

Young Professional Occupation Permit

Foreign students having completed at least an undergraduate degree in a tertiary education institution in Mauritius are eligible for a Young Professional Occupation Permit (YPOP). The YPOP is valid for a maximum period of 3 years depending on the duration of the contract of employment. In the case where an employer still requires the service of the foreign employee after the 3 years, the employer may apply for an Occupation Permit as Professional on behalf of the employee.

The Permanent Residence Permit

Designed for non-citizens seeking to work and live in Mauritius, the Mauritian Permanent Residence Permit is a 10-year residency, open to foreign investors, retirees, professionals, self-employed entrepreneurs, and their family.

Investors: should achieve an aggregate turnover of MUR 45 million for any consecutive period of 3 years preceding the Permanent Residence Permit application ; or achieve an annual gross income of at least MUR 15 million for 3 consecutive years preceding the application for the Permanent Residence Permit application.
Professionals: should receive a monthly basic salary of at least MUR 150,000 for 3 consecutive years preceding the Permanent residency application.
Self-employed: should achieve an annual business income of at least MUR 3 million for 3 consecutive years, immediately preceding the Permanent residency application.
Retired Non-Citizens: should transfer at least USD 54 000 or its equivalent in freely convertible foreign currency during the 3 years preceding the Permanent residency application.

Foreign investors

A non-citizen having made a minimum investment of USD 500 000 within a sector defined by Mauritian authorities is eligible to a Permanent Residence Permit. These sectors include: food industry, audiovisual, cinema & communication, banking & finance, construction, education, green energy, ICT, infrastructure, insurance, leisure, manufacturing, marina development, tourism, warehousing, fishing & marine resources, stock exchange.

Holders of an Occupation Permit: Dependents

Dependents include spouse, children, step-children, legally adopted children of less than 24 years old, are eligible for an Occupation Permit for a duration not exceeding that of the permit holder.

Request for an Occupation Permit as a dependent is made once the primary holder has obtained his Occupation Permit from the Prime Minister’s Office.

Sources :
www.edbmauritius.org
www.expat.com
https://smarttraveller.mu/