List of Permits to Work and Live in Mauritius

Work Permit

Application for a Work Permit is made to the Ministry of Labour, Industrial relations, Employment and Training by the employer.

Companies recruiting foreign labour in bulk and which do not qualify for an Occupation Permit need to obtain a permission in principle in a first instance from the Ministry to be able to apply for a Work Permit.

Occupation Permit

The Occupation Permit (OP) is a combined work and residence permit which allows a foreign national to work and live in Mauritius for a period of 10 years, renewable. There are 5 categories of Occupation Permit: Investor, Professional, Self Employed, Innovator and Young Professional.

Foreign nationals respecting the following criteria are eligible for an Occupation Permit.

Residence Permits

Retired non-citizens over the age of 50, their dependents and dependents of Occupation Permit holders can apply for a Residence Permit.

Criteria for Retired non-citizen

• Above 50 yrs. of age
• Initial transfer of at least USD1,500 at the time of the issue of the permit.
• Monthly transfer of USD1,500 thereafter and the aggregate of which will be at least USD18,000 yearly during the 10 years validity of the RP.

Permanent Residence Permit

A holder of an Occupation or Residence Permit or a foreign national is eligible to apply for a 20-year (formerly: 10 years) Residence Permit provided specific conditions are met:

Residence Permit through acquisition of property

1) Purchases of properties under Property Schemes approved for foreigners: 

The Property Development Scheme (PDS) is a programme to enable the construction or purchase of luxury residential properties by foreigners. The purchase of such a property entitles the buyer and his family members to permanent residence if the purchase price exceeds USD 375,000.

The same minimum amount applies to the purchase of second-hand properties under the predecessor schemes IRS (Integrated Resort Scheme) introduced in 2002 and RES (Real Estate Scheme) introduced in 2006.

2) Ground plus Two:

Foreigners are allowed – with prior permission from the Economic Development Board – to purchase flats in residential condominiums anywhere in Mauritius (i.e. also outside the PDS/IRS/RES Schemes) if the buildings have at least three storeys and the purchase price is at least 6 million rupees (approx. USD 135,000).

Premium Visa

A new Visa Scheme, to be called Premium Visa for a period of one year, renewable, will be introduced to encourage eligible foreigners to come for a long stay in Mauritius, a COVID-safe destination. The Premium Visa would allow non-citizens from countries listed in the Eighth Schedule of the Passport Regulations to come to Mauritius. The new visa would target, amongst others, the following categories of non-citizens:

(a) Repeat tourists who had planned to retire and migrate in Mauritius before the COVID-19 pandemic;
(b) Retirees in countries where COVID-19 is putting them at risk and who could be convinced to ride out in a safe destination;
(c) Investors/professionals willing to come with their family and carry out their businesses or work remotely from Mauritius or offer their staff this facility; and
(d) Those having their children studying in Mauritius.

In order to qualify for the Premium Visa, the visitors must have proof of their long stay plans and sufficient travel and health insurance for the initial period of stay. The following criteria should also be met:

(i) applicants should not enter the Mauritius Labour Market;
(ii) the main place of business and source of income and profits should be outside Mauritius;
(iii) documentary evidence to support application such as purpose of visit, accommodation etc.; and
(iv) other basic immigration requirements.