Investor Permit in Mauritius

Obtain your Occupation Permit - Investor Category and reside in Mauritius to develop your business. Comprehensive support by Sunibel Corporate Services.

What is the investor permit?

The investor permit, officially known as the Occupation Permit - Investor Category, is a residence permit issued by the Economic Development Board (EDB) of Mauritius to foreign nationals wishing to invest and reside in the country. This permit authorises its holder to live, work and manage their business in Mauritius.

Established as part of Mauritius's economic attractiveness policy, the Occupation Permit is aimed at international entrepreneurs and investors who wish to establish an economic activity in Mauritius. It replaces the former system of separate residence and work permits, offering a simplified and unified scheme.

The EDB, created in 2017, is the single body responsible for facilitating foreign investment in Mauritius. It processes Occupation Permit applications and assists investors with their administrative procedures. Sunibel Corporate Services, as an FSC-licensed management company, acts as the liaison between its clients and the EDB throughout the process.

Eligibility conditions

To obtain an Occupation Permit - Investor, the applicant must satisfy several conditions established by the EDB.

Minimum investment

The applicant must make an initial minimum investment of USD 50,000 (or equivalent in foreign currency), transferred from abroad to the professional bank account of their company in Mauritius. This transfer must be documented and traceable. The amount must be effectively used for the needs of the declared activity.

Company registered in Mauritius

The investor must be a shareholder and/or director of a company registered in Mauritius with the Registrar of Companies. The company may be a domestic company, a GBC or any other legal form suited to the planned activity. See our comprehensive guide on company formation in Mauritius. The company must be operational or in the process of being launched at the time of application.

Viable business plan

The application must be accompanied by a detailed business plan describing the planned activity, target market, three-year financial projections, commercial strategy and planned employment in Mauritius. The EDB assesses the viability of the project and its potential contribution to the Mauritian economy.

Clean criminal record

The applicant must provide a police clearance certificate (or equivalent from their country of residence), dated less than 6 months. This document must be apostilled or legalised in accordance with applicable conventions.

Advantages of the investor permit

The Occupation Permit - Investor offers a significant set of advantages for international entrepreneurs establishing themselves in Mauritius.

Residence in Mauritius

The permit authorises its holder to reside in Mauritius throughout its period of validity. Combined with the island's quality of life (tropical climate, safety, modern infrastructure, healthcare system), this right of residence is a major asset for entrepreneurs and their families.

Inclusion of dependants

The spouse and children under 24 years of age may be included as dependants in the application. They obtain a separate residence permit allowing them to live in Mauritius. Children may attend international, French (Lycee La Bourdonnais, Lycee des Mascareignes) or local schools on the island.

Access to permanent residency

After 3 years of continuous residence under an Occupation Permit, the holder may apply for a Permanent Residence Permit, offering long-term stability and unlimited residence rights. This pathway makes Mauritius an attractive destination for entrepreneurs considering a long-term relocation.

Tax residency in Mauritius

The holder of an Occupation Permit may, subject to conditions, become a tax resident of Mauritius. Tax residency is determined by physical presence (183 days or more in a tax year, or 270 days over the preceding 3 tax years). Mauritian taxation may offer significant advantages, depending on the investor's asset structure and personal situation. Mauritius does not levy inheritance tax, and the personal income tax rate is capped at 15%.

Favourable business environment

Mauritius consistently ranks among the top African economies in terms of ease of doing business. The country offers a bilingual legal system (English and French), a developed banking system, modern telecommunications infrastructure and privileged access to African, Indian and Asian markets.

Application process

Obtaining the Occupation Permit - Investor follows a structured multi-step process. Sunibel Corporate Services supports you at every stage to ensure a complete and compliant file.

1

Company formation in Mauritius

Incorporation of the company with the Registrar of Companies, drafting of the articles of association, appointment of directors and company secretary. The type of company is chosen based on the planned activity and the investor's objectives.

2

Opening a professional bank account

Opening a bank account in the company's name with a Mauritian bank. This account will receive the investment transfer and manage the company's day-to-day operations.

3

Transfer of the minimum investment

Transfer of USD 50,000 (or equivalent) from an overseas account to the company's Mauritian bank account. The bank statement evidencing the transfer will be a key document in the application file.

4

File preparation and submission to the EDB

Assembly of the complete file (application form, business plan, KYC documents, proof of investment, police clearance certificate) and submission to the Economic Development Board. Sunibel prepares and reviews each document before submission.

5

Review and approval by the EDB

The EDB reviews the file, may request additional information, and issues an approval in principle. This process generally takes 4 to 8 weeks for a complete file.

6

Permit issuance and relocation formalities

Issuance of the Occupation Permit, registration with the Passport and Immigration Office, and practical relocation formalities: housing, children's schooling, health insurance, opening a personal bank account.

Required documents

The following list details the documents generally required by the EDB for an Occupation Permit - Investor application. Depending on the complexity of the project and the applicant's nationality, additional documents may be required.

Personal documents

  • Certified copy of valid passport (all pages)
  • Recent passport-size photographs
  • Police clearance certificate less than 6 months old, apostilled or legalised
  • Medical certificate attesting to fitness
  • Current proof of address (less than 3 months old)
  • Detailed curriculum vitae

Investment-related documents

  • Certificate of Incorporation of the Mauritian company
  • Bank statement evidencing the transfer of the minimum investment (USD 50,000)
  • Detailed business plan with three-year financial projections
  • Evidence of source of funds and source of wealth
  • Constitution / articles of association of the company
  • Tax Account Number (TAN) of the company

For dependants

  • Certified copies of passports of spouse and children
  • Marriage certificate (translated and certified if necessary)
  • Birth certificates of children (translated and certified if necessary)
  • Police clearance certificate of spouse (if of legal age)

Duration and renewal

Following recent reforms, the Occupation Permit - Investor is issued for a period of 10 years, renewable. This extended duration offers long-term stability and visibility for investors, and reflects Mauritius's commitment to attracting entrepreneurs engaged in a sustainable approach.

Renewal is subject to demonstrating effective economic activity: the company must be operational, generating revenue or in an active development phase. The EDB verifies that the initial conditions are still met and that the investor is contributing to the local economy.

In the event of cessation of activity or permanent departure from Mauritius, the holder must inform the EDB. The permit may be revoked if conditions are no longer met, particularly in cases of fraud or non-compliance with Mauritian laws.

Your family in Mauritius

Relocating to Mauritius with an investor permit is often a family project. The island offers an exceptional living environment for families, with quality educational and healthcare facilities.

Children's schooling

Mauritius has a network of quality international schools: Lycee La Bourdonnais (French curriculum), Lycee des Mascareignes, British schools (Northfields International High School, Clavis International Primary School), and institutions following the IB (International Baccalaureate) programme. These schools welcome a diverse international community.

Quality of life

Mauritius offers a privileged living environment: temperate tropical climate, safety, cultural diversity, rich gastronomy, water sports and outdoor activities. The cost of living, although rising, remains competitive compared to major European or Asian cities. The French-speaking community is well represented, facilitating the integration of French, Belgian, Swiss and Canadian families.

Healthcare system

The Mauritian healthcare system includes public facilities and private clinics of good standard. Private clinics (Wellkin Hospital, C-Care, City Clinic) offer quality care across most specialties. International health insurance is nevertheless recommended to cover specialised care and potential medical evacuations.

Frequently asked questions about the investor permit

Ready to invest in Mauritius?

Sunibel Corporate Services supports you from company formation to obtaining your investor permit. Contact us for a personalised consultation.

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