The Retirement Residence Permit

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

In order to qualify, an expatriate must meet the following requirements:

• Not to be a Mauritian national;
• Be over 50 years old;
• Not working;
• Make an initial transfer of at least USD 1,500 or its equivalent in a freely convertible foreign currency to his/her local bank account in Mauritius, and then transfer at least USD 1,500 per month for a total of at least USD 18,000 annually or its equivalent in a freely convertible foreign currency during the 10-year validity of the residence permit;
• Submit at the end of each year proof of transfer of funds to his/her local bank account to the Economic Development Board, 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 expats to live and work in Mauritius for 10 years, then they can renew for another 10 and for another 20 if it is an application for permanent residence. All applicants for business licenses must enter Mauritius with a “Business” visa (or the mention “Business”) on 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 can apply for a permanent residence for 20 years if they comply with the following conditions:

1. 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 its local bank account and have provided the Mauritian tax authorities with information on other residences it may have in other jurisdictions, including tax residences.

2. In the case of a salaried applicant

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

3. In the case of an entrepreneur

• According to the Business Registration Act of 2002, an independent foreign worker engages in a professional activity for his or her own account in the service sector and is registered with the Corporate and Business Registration Department;
• It requires an annual income of at least Rs 3 million for the 3 consecutive years preceding the application for permanent residence.

4. In the case of an Investor status applicant

• A turnover of Rs 15 million annually, 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 qualifying activity is also eligible for the 20-year residence permit. Regarding the mentioned sectors: agribusiness, audio-visual, film and communication, banking, construction, education, environmentally friendly and ecological energy products, financial services, fisheries and marine resources, free port, information technology, infrastructure, insurance, entertainment, manufacturing, marina development, tourism and warehousing, initial public offerings.

5. Obtaining a residency permit as a Real Estate Investor

Under the RES, IRS, PDS or Ground+2 programs, 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 remain the owner of the property.