With its tropical and temperate climate, Mauritius is a great place to live. If you wish to work, retire, invest or simply relax, Mauritius is a destination of choice. Choosing to live in Mauritius is synonymous with a number of advantages, including the tax regime, political and social stability, multiculturalism, extensive air access and many others.

Mauritius welcomes foreign travellers who would like to extend their sense of well-being from the beautiful turquoise sea with its silky sandy beaches, tropical lagoons, abundant green spaces and the friendliness and cordiality of the people.

Short-term stays

A 3-month stay, renewable once (for a total of 6 months) within a 12-month period from 1 January to 31 December.

At the end of the first 3-month period, you will have to leave the territory for at least one day and come back for another 3 months or go to the immigration office in Port Louis to obtain the agreement for another 3 months.

Visas are not required for :

Mauritian citizens ;

Persons residing in Mauritius under the Immigration Act;

The spouse of a Mauritian citizen;

Children legally adopted by Mauritian citizens and spouses of Mauritian citizens;

Holders of diplomatic passports issued by governments other than Afghanistan, Iran, Iraq, Kosovo, Libya, the State of Palestine, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria and Yemen;

Holders of passports issued by the governments of countries belonging to the European Union;

Crews of a ship on duty or in transit to another ship;

Holders of laissez-passer issued by the United Nations, COMESA, SADC or other internationally recognised organisations;

Holders of INTERPOL passports visiting Mauritius on official business;

Holders of passes issued by the African Reinsurance Corporation and the African Development Bank Group in respect of their directors;

Officers or employees travelling to Mauritius on official business;

Persons intending to stay in Mauritius only for the duration of the stay of the ship on which they are arriving and departing.

Valid visas in Mauritius

Tourist Visa :

A maximum period of 6 months may be granted in a calendar year, on a case-by-case basis, subject to immigration requirements.

Business Visa:

A maximum of 120 days per calendar year for any stay of up to 90 days without remuneration for the holder in Mauritius.

Social Visa:

Granted to non-citizens sponsored by socio-cultural organisations for up to 45 days to carry out social and religious activities.

Multiple Entry Visa:

Granted only to foreign businessmen with business interests in Mauritius who require a visa before travelling. A maximum stay of 120 days per calendar year is allowed, and each trip must not exceed 90 days.

Transit Visa:

Granted to passengers travelling to a third country within 24 hours.

Medical visa :

Granted on arrival for the duration of treatment, but not exceeding 6 months.

Student Visa:

Once the foreign student has returned all the required documents and payments to his/her host university in Mauritius, the institution will submit all supporting documents to the Passport and Immigration Office (PIO) located in Port Louis. The PIO will process and issue the student visa by email.

Visa for trainees:

If it is a practical internship in the context of higher education, the student can go in person to the Passport Office mentioned above to submit the application.

Premium Visa :

Foreigners who wish to stay in Mauritius for at least one year, alone or with their family, are eligible for the premium visa. This visa is intended for foreign professionals, investors and retirees, among others. It allows them to stay on the island without entering the labour market. Foreign nationals must continue to work remotely and prove that their money comes from outside. The premium visa is valid for one year and can be extended. It allows the holder to spend at least 180 days in Mauritius.


What is the procedure for obtaining a Premium Visa?

The procedure is simple and can be done for free on the EDB website. When applying, you need to present the following documents

a valid passport
a copy of your return flight ticket
a passport photo
travel and health insurance for the duration of your stay
proof that you have sufficient funds to support yourself and your family during your stay, for example a bank statement.
a valid e-mail address
an accommodation reservation

Residence Permit

The residence permit for pensioners:

In addition to being valid for ten years, it is also renewable for a further ten years with the possibility of applying for permanent residence for 20 years.

To be eligible, an expatriate must meet the following conditions:

Not be a Mauritian national;
Be over 50 years old;

Does not work;

Make an initial transfer of at least USD 1,500 or its equivalent in a freely convertible foreign currency to their local bank account in Mauritius, and thereafter transfer at least USD 1,500 per month for a total of at least USD 18,000 per annum or its equivalent in a freely convertible foreign currency during the 10 years of validity of the residence permit;
Submit at the end of each year to the Economic Development Board proof of transfer of funds to his/her local bank account, provide the Mauritian tax authorities with information on other residences he/she may have in other jurisdictions, including tax residences.

Occupation permits:

These permits allow expatriates to live and work in Mauritius for 10 years, and then they can be renewed for a further 10 years and for a further 20 years if applying for permanent residence. All applicants for business licences must enter Mauritius with a "Business" visa (or "Business" endorsement) in the passport.

Three types of permits are available:

Investor, if the holder is an investor;
Professional, if the holder is employed in a Mauritian company;
Self-employed, if the holder is an independent entrepreneur.


Permanent residence permit:
Expatriates who have lived in Mauritius under a Retirement Residence Permit or an Occupation Permit for 3 years may apply for permanent residence for 20 years if they meet the following conditions:

In the case of a retired applicant

Have transferred at least USD 1,500 per month or a total of at least USD 54,000 for 3 consecutive years prior to the application for permanent residence;

Have submitted to the Economic Development Board, at the end of each year, proof of transfer of funds to their local bank account and have provided the Mauritian tax authorities with information on other residences they may have in other jurisdictions, including tax residences.

In the case of an employed applicant :

The applicant must have received a monthly salary of at least Rs 150,000 for three consecutive years before applying for permanent residence.

In the case of an entrepreneur:

According to the Business Registration Act 2002, a self-employed foreigner is engaged in self-employment in the service sector and is registered with the Department of Companies and Enterprises Registration ;

It requires an annual income of at least Rs 3 million for the 3 consecutive years preceding the application for permanent residence.

In the case of an applicant for investor status:

A turnover of Rs 15 million per annum, or a total of Rs 45 million for 3 consecutive years preceding the application for permanent residence;

A foreign national who has invested at least USD 375,000 in a qualified activity can also benefit from the 20-year residence permit. With regard to the sectors mentioned: agribusiness, audio-visual, film and communication, banking, construction, education, green and environmentally friendly energy products, financial services, fishing and marine resources, free port, information technology, infrastructure, insurance, entertainment, manufacturing, marina development, tourism and warehousing, initial public offerings.

Obtaining a residence permit as a real estate investor:

Under the RES, IRS, PDS or Ground+2 programmes, non-residents who invest a minimum of USD 375,000 in a property in Mauritius can apply for and benefit from residency as long as they retain ownership of the property.

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