Are you looking to settle and work or start a business in Mauritius? If so, you will probably need an occupational permit. Here's how to know whether you are eligible and how to apply for an Occupation Permit in Mauritius.
Occupation Permit for non-resident investors in Mauritius
Investors have several options to obtain an Occupation Permit in Mauritius:
Standard (10-year Residence Permit)
- Required investment: USD 50,000 in a new business based in Mauritius.
Net Asset Value (10-year Residence Permit)
- Required investment: owning or inheriting an existing Mauritian company with a net worth of at least USD 50,000 and a cumulative turnover of at least 12 million MUR (approximately USD 260,000) over the three years preceding the application.
Investor for high-technology machinery and equipment:
- Initial investment: USD 50,000 or equivalent in freely convertible foreign currencies.
- Minimum transfer: At least USD 25,000 within 60 days after the issuance of the Occupation Permit, with a certified bank statement and written commitment.
- Equipment and machinery: Evaluation based on the supplier's invoice and a report from an accredited evaluator.
- Investment in eligible activities such as agro-industry, aquaculture, healthcare, etc.
- Utilization of machines for the proposed commercial activity.
- Renewal of the Occupation Permit: Generating a minimum gross income of 4 million rupees per year from the third year.
Other conditions may apply in this case:
- Submission of the bill of lading if the machinery has not yet been shipped.
- Transfer of the balance in foreign currencies if the value is lower than that presented on the invoice.
- Additional criteria determined by the CEO of the EDB may apply.
Investor for Innovative Startups:
This visa is available for investors conducting research and development (R&D) activities in eligible sectors such as life sciences, technology, ICT, fintech, biotechnology, etc.
There are two options for applying for the Innovator Occupation Permit:
- Submission of an innovative project to the Economic Development Board, evaluated on its own merits.
- Registration of the company with an accredited incubator and submission of the project to the EDB.
Your business plan must meet the following requirements:
- Detailed description of all expenses related to R&D activities.
- R&D expenses must represent at least 20% of total operating expenses during the research phase.
The Investor Occupation Permit is issued for a maximum period of ten years and is renewable according to established criteria.
Self-employed Occupation Permit
To work as a freelancer from Mauritius as an expatriate, you just need to opt for the self-employed status and apply for the Self-Employed Occupation Permit. Self-employed workers are now only required to provide evidence of fund transfer within 4 weeks of obtaining their license, with subsequent verifications, eliminating the need for a USD 35,000 investment.
To secure this 10-year renewable visa, applicants need to demonstrate an annual income of Rs 800,000 starting from the third year of registration. Additionally, a fee of USD 1,000 is applicable following the approval of the application.
Young Professional Occupation Permit (YPOP) in Mauritius
International students who have obtained at least an undergraduate degree from a Mauritian institution of higher learning are eligible to apply for a YPOP, according to defined criteria.
The YPOP is a work permit valid for a maximum period of 3 years, depending on the duration of the work contract. The application for YPOP must be submitted by the employer to the EDB - Occupation Permit Unit via email at op@edbmauritius.org.
If an employer still requires the service of a foreign employee after 3 years, the employer may apply for an Occupation Permit under the Professional category on behalf of the employee.
Eligibility criteria
The following criteria must be met to be eligible for a YPOP:
- Being the holder of at least an undergraduate degree from an institution of higher education recognized by the Higher Education Commission (HEC);
- Applying no later than 6 months after the date of publication of the results.
If an individual holds a YPOP and intends to change jobs before it expires, condition 2 does not apply.
We do our best to provide accurate and up to date information. However, if you have noticed any inaccuracies in this article, please let us know in the comments section below.
