Mauritius: residency and banking
MauritiusAfricaOverview
Mauritius is an international financial centre whose permit system is run largely online by the Economic Development Board (EDB). Founders, professionals and retirees each have their own permit, most of them valid for up to ten years, and property purchases above a set price come with residence.
The EDB revised the occupation permit criteria in 2026: a higher investment for investors, a single salary floor for professionals and turnover tests that apply from the third and fifth years. Figures quoted in older guides, including many still circulating online, no longer match.
Redomiciled helps you choose the permit, prepare the online file and plan banking. Licensed Mauritian lawyers and tax advisers give the legal and tax advice; we coordinate the steps and introductions.
Mauritius residency for founders, investors and retirees
Mauritian residence for foreigners is granted through permits such as the Occupation Permit, the retired non-citizen Residence Permit or residence linked to property of USD 375,000 or more. Applications run online through the Economic Development Board, and as of 2026 most permits last up to ten years. It suits founders, investors, professionals and retirees.
The Occupation Permit combines work and residence. Investors commit USD 100,000, transferred within 60 days of the permit being issued, and their business must reach an annual turnover of MUR 5 million from the third year and MUR 8 million from the fifth year for renewal. Self-employed applicants invest USD 50,000 and provide three letters of intent, two from potential local clients. Professionals need an employment contract with a basic monthly salary of at least MUR 50,000 in any sector.
Retired non-citizens aged 50 or over qualify with a certified bank statement showing USD 24,000 or an assured minimum income of USD 2,000 a month, then keep transferring USD 24,000 a year into a Mauritian account. The permit lasts ten years and allows investment, but not employment.
Buying residential property for USD 375,000 or more under the Integrated Resort, Real Estate, Property Development or Smart City schemes, or an apartment of that value in a building of at least ground plus two floors, gives a residence permit for as long as you own it, extending to your spouse and children. For long stays without local work, the Premium Visa allows more than six months and up to a year, renewable and free of charge.
After five years on an occupation or retirement permit, the 20-year Permanent Residence Permit becomes available if the income or transfer thresholds are met. Licensed Mauritian lawyers and tax advisers give the legal and tax advice; Redomiciled coordinates the application and banking.
Who it suits
Founders setting up an operating business
The investor permit suits companies that can reach the turnover tests from the third year.
Freelancers and consultants
The self-employed permit needs a smaller investment and evidence of local demand.
Retirees aged 50 or over
Regular transfers from abroad support a ten-year permit without any work in Mauritius.
Property buyers
A qualifying purchase gives residence for as long as you keep the property; under the resort, real estate and development schemes you may also invest and work without a separate permit.
Requirements
- Required
Online application through the EDB
Filed on the National Electronic Licensing System; you or your employer can start without travelling to Mauritius.
- Required
Valid passport and birth certificate
The birth certificate in English or French, or with a certified translation.
- Required
Proof of funds or income
A certified bank statement from your country of origin or residence, matching the permit's threshold.
- Required
Route-specific evidence
An employment contract for professionals, letters of intent for the self-employed, or a written undertaking to transfer the investment for investors.
- Depends on your case
Dependants' residence permits
Spouses, children and parents apply to the Passport and Immigration Office for permits of the same duration.
- Depends on your case
Property purchase under an approved scheme
Needed only if you use the property route instead of a permit based on work or retirement.
Documents
- PassportValid for the planned stay.
- Birth certificateOriginal in English or French, or a certified translation.
- Certified bank statementShows the funds or income required for the permit.
- Employment contract or business documentsContract for professionals; letters of intent or the investment undertaking for founders.
- Company registrationInvestors and the self-employed register their activity with the Corporate and Business Registration Department.
- Family recordsMarriage and birth certificates for dependants applying with you.
- Application platform
- EDB National Electronic Licensing System (online)As of 2026-10-25 · [1]
- Investor Occupation Permit
- USD 100,000 initial investmentTransferred within 60 days of the permit being issuedAs of 2026-10-25 · [1]
- Investor turnover tests
- MUR 5 million a year from year 3; MUR 8 million from year 5 for renewalAs of 2026-10-25 · [9]
- Self-Employed Occupation Permit
- USD 50,000 initial investmentPlus 3 letters of intent, 2 from potential local clientsAs of 2026-10-25 · [2]
- Self-employed income tests
- MUR 2 million a year from year 3; MUR 3 million from year 5As of 2026-10-25 · [2]
- Professional Occupation Permit
- Basic monthly salary of at least MUR 50,000Holders under the former MUR 30,000 criterion may renew once on itAs of 2026-10-25 · [3]
- Retired non-citizen permit
- Age 50+, USD 2,000 a month or USD 24,000Valid 10 years, renewableAs of 2026-10-25 · [4]
- Minimum price for non-citizens buying apartments (ground plus two)
- MUR 6 millionResidence only from USD 375,000As of 2026-10-25 · [8]
- Premium Visa
- More than 6 months up to 1 year, renewable, no feeAs of 2026-10-25 · [5]
- Permanent Residence Permit
- 20 years, renewable; after 5 years on a permitAs of 2026-10-25 · [6]
- Permanent residence, retirees
- USD 200,000 transferred over the previous 5 yearsAs of 2026-10-25 · [6]
- Permanent residence, professionals
- Basic salary of MUR 400,000 a month for 5 yearsAs of 2026-10-25 · [6]
- Permanent residence, investors
- Turnover of MUR 15 million a year for 5 years, or MUR 75 million in totalAs of 2026-10-25 · [6]
- Tax residence
- 183 days in the income year, or 270 days over 3 income yearsAs of 2026-10-25 · [11]
- Personal income tax rates
- 0% on the first MUR 500,000, 10% on the next MUR 500,000, 20% aboveFrom 1 July 2025As of 2026-10-25 · [10]
- Fair Share Contribution
- 15% on income above MUR 12 millionIncome years from 1 July 2025 and the two followingAs of 2026-10-25 · [10]
Timeline
- 1Choose the permitCompare the investor, self-employed, professional, retirement and property routes against your plans.
- 2Register and apply onlineCreate an account on the EDB platform, upload the preliminary documents.
- 3Approval in principleThe EDB issues an approval-in-principle letter; from then on you can open a Mauritian bank account.
- 4Permit issued and funds transferredInvestors and the self-employed transfer the initial investment within 60 days of the permit being issued.
- 5Renewal and permanent residenceMeet the turnover or income tests from years three and five; after five years you can apply for the Permanent Residence Permit if you qualify.
Tax notes
- You are tax resident in Mauritius if you spend at least 183 days there in an income year, or 270 days in total over that year and the two before.
- Residents are taxed on worldwide income, but foreign-source income is taxable only to the extent it is received in Mauritius. Rates are 0% on the first MUR 500,000, 10% on the next MUR 500,000 and 20% above.
- The Finance Act 2025 introduced a Fair Share Contribution of 15% on income above MUR 12 million for the income year from 1 July 2025 and the two following years.
- Whether a foreign pension is taxed depends on the relevant tax treaty and on whether it is remitted, so retirees should take advice from a licensed Mauritian tax adviser before moving.
General information, not tax advice. Your position depends on your circumstances.
Banking fit
- Opening a Mauritian account becomes possible after the EDB's approval in principle, and investors need it to receive their initial transfer.
- Corporate and multi-currency accounts are where our Mauritian banking network is strongest.
- If banking is your main goal, start with our banking assessment, which looks at your whole profile rather than the permit alone.
Questions
How do I get residency in Mauritius?
Choose a permit, apply online through the EDB's licensing platform and wait for the approval in principle. Professionals need a job paying at least MUR 50,000 a month, investors USD 100,000, the self-employed USD 50,000 and retirees USD 2,000 a month. Property of USD 375,000 or more also gives residence.
How much do I need to invest for a Mauritius Occupation Permit?
Since the 2026 revision, USD 100,000 for an investor permit and USD 50,000 for a self-employed permit, transferred within 60 days of the permit being issued. Investor businesses must then reach MUR 5 million of turnover from the third year.
What do retirees need for Mauritius residency?
You must be at least 50 and show USD 24,000 in a certified bank statement or an assured minimum income of USD 2,000 a month, then transfer USD 24,000 a year to Mauritius. The permit lasts ten years and is renewable.
Can I get Mauritius residency by buying property?
Yes. Buying residential property for USD 375,000 or more under an approved scheme, or an apartment of that value in a building of at least ground plus two floors, gives you and your family a residence permit for as long as you own it.
What is the Mauritius Premium Visa?
A free visa for stays of more than six months and up to a year, renewable, for people who work remotely, retire or holiday in Mauritius without entering the local labour market. Your main source of income must be outside Mauritius.
When can I apply for permanent residence in Mauritius?
After five years on an occupation or retirement permit, if you meet the thresholds: for example USD 200,000 transferred by retirees over five years, or a basic salary of MUR 400,000 a month for professionals. The permit runs for 20 years and is renewable.
Banking in our network
We do not publish institution names: the right partner depends on your profile, and each institution keeps its own view on who it will serve.
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Banking partners
- A Mauritian account is part of the permit process: once the EDB issues its approval in principle you can open one, and investors and the self-employed transfer their initial investment into it within 60 days of receiving the permit.
- Banks in Mauritius apply their own due diligence and expect clear evidence of source of funds, particularly for corporate and multi-currency accounts.
- Our network includes five institutions offering corporate and multi-currency banking in Mauritius; names are shared only with clients after the banking assessment.
Questions
Does Mauritius tax foreign income?
Residents are taxed on worldwide income, but income derived outside Mauritius is taxable only to the extent that it is received in Mauritius. Pensions can also be affected by tax treaties, so a local adviser should look at your income mix.
Did the Mauritius permit rules change in 2026?
Yes. The EDB raised the investor permit to USD 100,000, set a single minimum salary of MUR 50,000 for professionals and added turnover or income tests from the third and fifth years for investors and the self-employed.
Can Redomiciled open a bank account for me in Mauritius?
We introduce you to institutions in our network and help prepare the documents. Each bank makes its own decision after due diligence, so an account cannot be promised in advance.
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Sources
- 1.Economic Development Board (residency.mu): Investor Occupation Permit, investment of USD 100,000, retrieved 2026-10-25
- 2.Economic Development Board (residency.mu): Self-Employed Occupation Permit, retrieved 2026-10-25
- 3.Economic Development Board (residency.mu): Professional Occupation Permit, retrieved 2026-10-25
- 4.Economic Development Board (residency.mu): Residence Permit for retired non-citizens aged 50 and over, retrieved 2026-10-25
- 5.Economic Development Board (residency.mu): Premium Visa, retrieved 2026-10-25
- 6.Economic Development Board (residency.mu): Permanent Residence Permit, retrieved 2026-10-25
- 7.Economic Development Board (residency.mu): Integrated Resort Scheme and residence through property, retrieved 2026-10-25
- 8.Economic Development Board (residency.mu): apartments in buildings of ground plus two floors, retrieved 2026-10-25
- 9.Economic Development Board: newsletter on the revised Occupation Permit criteria (July 2026), retrieved 2026-10-25
- 10.PwC Worldwide Tax Summaries: Mauritius, taxes on personal income (reviewed 15 June 2026), retrieved 2026-10-25
- 11.PwC Worldwide Tax Summaries: Mauritius, residence (reviewed 15 June 2026), retrieved 2026-10-25
Reviewed by the Redomiciled team on .
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