Company Formation in Mauritius
Sunibel Corporate Services supports you in choosing the right structure, incorporating and administering your Mauritian company. Management company licensed by the Financial Services Commission.
Legal structures available in Mauritius
The Mauritian legislative framework offers several types of structures tailored to the needs of international investors. The choice of legal form depends on the nature of the planned activity, the jurisdictions involved, tax objectives and the desired level of regulation. Investors wishing to relocate to Mauritius may also combine company formation with obtaining an investor permit or a work permit.
Global Business Company (GBC)
The GBC is a company incorporated in Mauritius holding a licence from the Financial Services Commission (FSC). It is designed for international activities: holding, international trade, investment management, financial services, intellectual property management. The GBC benefits from access to the network of 44 double taxation agreements and the partial exemption system on foreign-source income, subject to meeting the economic substance requirements.
Learn more about the Global Business Company
Authorised Company (AC)
The Authorised Company is a company registered in Mauritius whose activities are primarily conducted outside Mauritius. It does not require an FSC licence and benefits from reduced administrative obligations compared to the GBC. The AC is subject to the standard tax rate of 15 % but does not have access to the Mauritian treaty network.
Learn more about the Authorised Company
Domestic company
The Mauritian domestic company is incorporated under the Companies Act 2001 and operates primarily on the local market. It is suited for businesses wishing to operate directly in Mauritius: retail, services, hospitality, local real estate. The applicable tax regime is the standard 15 % rate, with sectoral incentives available depending on the activity.
Company incorporation process in Mauritius
Incorporating a company in Mauritius follows a structured process whose duration and complexity vary depending on the type of structure chosen. Here are the main steps we manage on behalf of our clients.
Initial consultation and project analysis
Assessment of your personal situation, the nature of the activity, the jurisdictions involved and your objectives. Identification of the most suitable structure (GBC, AC or domestic company) and preliminary estimate of costs and timelines.
Structure selection and planning
Formal recommendation of the company type, drafting of a detailed proposal including tax aspects, the required economic substance and applicable treaties. Joint validation of the structuring plan.
Document collection and due diligence
Collection of identity documents, proof of address, bank and professional references. KYC/AML checks conducted in accordance with Mauritian regulatory requirements and international standards.
Incorporation and registration
Name reservation, drafting and filing of the constitution (Constitution/Memorandum) with the Registrar of Companies. Obtaining the certificate of incorporation and the Business Registration Number (BRN).
FSC licence application (if applicable)
For GBCs, preparation and submission of the licence application file to the Financial Services Commission. This file includes the business plan, description of activities, directors' CVs and evidence of planned economic substance.
Tax registration and bank account opening
Registration with the Mauritius Revenue Authority (MRA) to obtain a TAN (Tax Account Number). Assistance with opening a corporate bank account with a Mauritian or international bank operating in Mauritius.
Operational set-up and launch
Setting up the registered office, appointment of officers (secretary, directors), organisation of the first board meeting, and launch of activities. Sunibel Corporate Services ensures the transition to the ongoing administration phase.
Documents required for incorporation
The list of documents required varies depending on the type of structure and the profile of shareholders and directors. Here are the documents generally requested as part of the KYC procedure and incorporation.
For individuals (shareholders and directors)
- Certified copy of valid passport
- Proof of address dated within the last 3 months (utility bill or bank statement)
- Bank reference from your usual bank
- Professional reference (lawyer, notary or accountant)
- Detailed CV of proposed directors
- Declaration regarding criminal record
- Evidence of source of funds and source of wealth
For corporate shareholders
- Certificate of incorporation and articles of association of the shareholder company
- Register of directors and shareholders
- Board resolution authorising the investment
- Full organisational chart of the ownership chain up to the ultimate beneficial owners
- Audited financial statements for the last two financial years
- KYC documents for each beneficial owner holding 10 % or more
Activity-specific documents
- Detailed business plan (mandatory for FSC licence applications)
- Description of planned activities and target markets
- Three-year financial projections (for GBCs)
- Contracts or letters of intent with business partners (where applicable)
Important note: all documents issued in a language other than English or French must be accompanied by a certified translation. Copies must be certified by a notary, lawyer or consul.
Indicative incorporation timelines
The timelines below are provided for guidance and assume receipt of a complete file. Actual timelines may vary depending on the complexity of the file, the volume of applications being processed by the authorities and the speed of document provision by the client.
| Structure type | Incorporation | FSC licence | Bank account | Estimated total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Domestic company | 2 to 5 business days | Not applicable | 2 to 6 weeks | 3 to 8 weeks |
| Authorised Company | 2 to 5 business days | Not applicable | 2 to 6 weeks | 3 to 8 weeks |
| Global Business Company | 2 to 5 business days | 4 to 8 weeks | 2 to 6 weeks | 8 to 16 weeks |
These timelines are indicative and based on our experience. They do not constitute a contractual commitment. Bank account opening depends on the chosen bank and the completeness of the file.
Post-incorporation obligations
Incorporating a company in Mauritius is only the starting point. Every entity must comply with a set of recurring obligations to maintain its compliance and good standing with the Mauritian authorities.
Accounting and tax obligations
- Bookkeeping: every company must maintain compliant accounts under IFRS standards (for GBCs) or Mauritian accounting standards
- Annual tax return: filing with the MRA within 6 months of the financial year-end
- Audit of accounts: mandatory for GBCs; recommended for other structures above certain thresholds
- Tax payment: quarterly advance payments (CPS -- Current Payment System) and balance on filing
Regulatory compliance obligations
- FSC licence renewal: annual for GBCs, with payment of licence fees
- CRS and FATCA filings: automatic exchange of tax information with partner jurisdictions
- Beneficial ownership register: mandatory updates with the Registrar of Companies
- Annual Return: annual filing with the Registrar confirming the company's information
Economic substance
GBC companies must demonstrate genuine economic substance in Mauritius, including qualified employees on site, a physical office, local expenditure proportionate to the activity, and the holding of board meetings in Mauritius. These requirements are assessed by the FSC upon licence renewal.
Sunibel Corporate Services handles all these obligations as part of its administration services, allowing you to focus on growing your business.
Comparison of structures available in Mauritius
The table below summarises the main features of each structure type. This comparison is provided for guidance; a personalised analysis of your situation is necessary to determine the most suitable structure.
| Criterion | GBC | Authorised Company | Domestic company |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main activities | International (holding, trading, investment, financial services) | International outside Mauritius | Mauritian local market |
| FSC licence | Mandatory | Not required | Not required |
| Tax rate | 15% (with partial exemption subject to conditions) | 15% | 15% |
| Tax treaties | Access to 44 treaties | Not eligible | Eligible (local activity) |
| Economic substance | Substantial requirements (employees, office, local expenditure) | Reduced requirements | Effective local presence |
| Minimum capital | No legal minimum (adequacy assessed by FSC) | No legal minimum | No legal minimum |
| Annual audit | Mandatory | Threshold-based | Threshold-based |
| Foreign ownership | 100% permitted | 100% permitted | 100% (except regulated sectors) |
Frequently asked questions about company formation in Mauritius
Ready to incorporate your company in Mauritius?
Contact Sunibel Corporate Services for an initial consultation. We analyse your project and recommend the structure best suited to your objectives.
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