How To Get Residency In Mauritius

Off the eastern coast of Africa, Mauritius is an island nation in the Indian Ocean. Mauritius sits east of Madagascar and northeast of French Réunion. It is a volcanic island of lagoons and palm-fringed beaches with coral reefs surrounding most of the coastline. Mauritius is home to an underwater waterfall and amazing tourist attractions. Port Louis is its capital and is home to about 147,066 people as of 2018.

Navigating the path to residency in Mauritius involves a well-guided journey, with several avenues and programs available to individuals seeking a residence permit in this picturesque island nation.

Mauritius offers various residence permit categories catering to the diverse needs of individuals. Whether you are looking to retire in a tropical paradise, work, or invest, understanding the available options is crucial. These categories encompass programs for retirees, expatriates, and individuals seeking work permits.

A key step in obtaining a residence permit in Mauritius is to gather comprehensive information about the specific requirements for your chosen category. This includes understanding the financial criteria, documentation needed, and any specific conditions attached to the permit.

Black River Gorges National Park, Mauritius

MAURITIUS RESIDENCY BY INVESTMENT

For many residence programs, demonstrating financial stability is a prerequisite. This often involves showing proof of sufficient funds, either through regular income, investments, or a combination of both. Ensuring you meet the financial criteria is essential for a successful application.

For individuals seeking long-term stability, Mauritius offers a pathway to permanent residency. This status provides a sense of security and permanence, allowing you to fully integrate into the Mauritian community.

The Mauritius Residence by Investment is for expats who want to work freely, live, and make Mauritius their second home. Investors, pensioners, professionals, self-employed business owners, and their families are welcome to apply for the 20-year residency. This can be gained under many circumstances and, as long as the residency criteria have been met, is renewable for another 20 years.

PROPERTY INVESTMENT OPTIONS

This program grants the investors a residency visa as long as they own the property. Investors who wish to obtain permanent residency in Mauritius via investment can purchase one of the four real estate properties worth at least $375,000 USD.

• Integrated Resort Scheme (IRS) is a project with a land area greater than 10 hectares.
• Real Estate Scheme (RES) are projects with less than 10 hectares where individual units must be less than 10 hectares.
• Property Development Scheme (PDS) are projects focused on protecting the environment and ecology of the neighbouring community.
• Smart City Scheme (SCS) are projects that require development to be environmentally friendly for residential, commercial and social activities.

You can also choose to invest in businesses, and there is an abundance of choices for this area of investment as well.

Related content: Residency In Bermuda: What's Available For You And Your Family

Map and flag of Mauritius

OCCUPATION PERMIT

An Occupation Permit, a document that combines work and residency permits, is another option open to foreign residents. As a result, it permits the recipient to live and work in Mauritius with specific conditions.

Investment and establishing a business in Mauritius are the initial steps toward obtaining an occupation permit. You must disclose yearly sales of at least $25,150 USD and invest at least $100,000 USD in a professional enterprise.

MAURITIUS RESIDENCE BY INVESTMENT PROGRAMS PROCEDURES

Applications to the program should be made online through the National E-licensing System. The required documents should be provided along with the fees.

• Passport and copies of the bio-data page of the passport, the passport submitted should be valid for six months from the date of application.
• Marriage certificate. Applicable only for an accompanying spouse.
• Provide four identical passport-size photographs that you have taken recently within the last three months. The photos should be in colour.
• Original residency visa. This doesn’t apply to spouses and dependents. Your documents will be returned upon verification.
• Medical certificate from a doctor in Mauritius stating you do not have any infectious or contagious disease.
• A criminal background check certificate proving you have not been convicted of any felony in your home country for the past ten years.

The applicant can select their preferred program after completing the initial due diligence tasks. The Economic Development Board of the Republic of Mauritius will approve the residency application when the applicant has completed the investment and has been granted permission in principle. After completing the necessary checks, the applicant (and any accompanying family members) obtains a Mauritian residency visa. For Property Investment and Occupation Permit only.

The application process for all Mauritius residency by Investment takes approximately 2-4 months to be completed.

RETIREMENT RESIDENCY VISA

Mauritius recognizes the diverse reasons individuals seek residency. There are specific programs tailored for retirees, expatriates working in the country, and those making substantial investments. Understanding the nuances of each category ensures you choose the one that aligns with your goals. Under specific circumstances, foreigners who want to use their retirement to spend joyful days in the Mauritian sun can also profit from a permanent residency visa.

They need to be above 50 years old and make at least $30,000 USD in yearly income, which must be placed into an account with a Mauritian bank. The Mauritius Retirement residence visa is issued for a minimum of three years and can be renewed. After ten years of residency, you can apply for a residency visa with 20 years of validity, which you can renew upon fulfilling the residency requirements.

The application process for the Retirement Residence visa is free of charge. Only successful applicants are required to pay the visa fee of $25 USD to the Government of Mauritius.

The underwater waterfall of Mauritius

BENEFITS OF MAURITIUS PERMANENT RESIDENCY

Investors can also become tax residents of Mauritius if they stay on the island for more than 183 days in a year. A business firm will immediately become a tax resident if it incorporates or relocates its headquarters there.

Mauritius is a low-tax country notable for having a basic tax of 15% that applies to both companies and income tax, no tax on capital gains, no withholding tax on interest and dividends, and free repatriation of earnings, dividends, and capital. Tax residents of Mauritius pay income tax on a graduated basis.

Some other benefits of being a resident in Mauritius are a safe environment with a tropical climate all year round, a very stable government, society, economy, and access to foreign institutions of higher learning in Mauritius. I also recommend for you to check our education program for your family.

Related article: The Basics Of How To Get A Second Passport Or A Second Residency.

CITIZENSHIP BY NATURALIZATION

Acquiring residency by investment is a pathway to Mauritius citizenship. Applicants may submit a request for citizenship after five years of uninterrupted residency as an existing Commonwealth citizen, with 12 months of continuous residence in the preceding year. A non-citizen of the Commonwealth may request citizenship after seven years of uninterrupted residency. Before applying, the candidate must be physically present in Mauritius for 12 months.

There is a fast-track citizenship procedure for investors who increase their investment amounts to $500,000 USD and are physically present for two consecutive years without any absence from the country. It applies to both current citizens and non-citizens of the commonwealth.

In Mauritius, it may take up to a year for citizenship to be processed and approved. There are no restrictions on dual citizenship. However, the candidate should have an excellent understanding of either English, French, or the local dialect.

Dancers perform on a beach in Mauritius

ETHNICITY, RELIGION AND LANGUAGE IN MAURITIUS

An estimated 1.2 million people live on the densely populated island of Mauritius. Among its diverse population, it enjoys a reputation for stability and harmony. Hindus, Muslims, Creoles, Chinese, and Europeans all coexist peacefully in Mauritius, which is renowned as a pluralistic nation where all ancestors' cultures have been maintained. Ultimately, these influences converged to form the global fabric of Mauritius' distinct culture. It is reflected in its language, literature, religion, festivals, dance, music, and crafts made locally. These characteristics distinguish the island as a unique location in the globe, and the residents of Mauritania are renowned for their inclusivity and friendliness.

Most Mauritanians are multilingual, speaking both French and English. The official language is English, but French and Creole are also extensively spoken. The linguistic mosaic also includes oriental languages.

GOVERNMENT AND LEGAL SYSTEMS IN MAURITIUS

A stable representative democracy exists in Mauritius, one of the few in Africa. In a country with a single house of legislature, the National Assembly serves as the parliament. The lawmakers are chosen to serve terms of five years. President is the head of state, and the prime minister is the head of government.

The Supreme Court, the highest court on the island, and the Subordinate Courts presently make up Mauritius's single-structured legal system. The Constitution of Mauritius is the country's top legal document, and the Chief Justice serves as its chief executive. The Mauritius Constitution provides for final appeals of judgments from the Court of Appeal to the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council in London.

Understanding the tax implications of residency is crucial. Mauritius has various tax regimes for residents, and it's important to comprehend your obligations to avoid any legal complications.

Mauritian rupee, the currency of Mauritius

ECONOMY IN MAURITIUS

Mauritius has a diverse emerging economy focused on agriculture, exports, financial services, and tourism. GDP nominal $14.4 billion USD (estimated for 2019) and GDP per capita $11,361 USD (nominal, 2019 est.). The Mauritius government has worked to diversify the nation's economy since the 1980s to reduce its reliance on agriculture, notably sugar production.

Closeup of a doctor and patient sitting at the desk. Medicine and health care concept

MEDICAL SERVICES IN MAURITIUS

Residence permits in Mauritius come with certain rights, and understanding them is crucial. These rights may include the ability to work, access healthcare, and enjoy various amenities. Clarify these aspects to ensure a smooth transition into your new life.

The healthcare system of Mauritius is advanced. Public health organizations provide for around 73 percent of the population's health requirements, and the private sector provides for 27% of those needs.

In Mauritius, there are various private clinics and free public hospitals. Six specialized public hospitals, 18 private multi-specialty clinics, 11 private specialized clinics, 28 medical labs, and five large public hospitals make up Mauritius' healthcare system. Both governmental and private hospitals have more than 4,500 beds.

CONCLUSION

You might want to think about relocating to Mauritius if the idea of living in an idyllic island setting appeals to you. This multicultural country is recognized not just for its scenic landscape, sandy beaches, and rolling hills but also for the great freedom its people enjoy.

Living in Mauritius as an expat will provide you with tremendous opportunities, a relaxed way of life, excellent healthcare, a sophisticated economy, and a wide range of social services.