Mauritius

Mauritius, situated in the Indian Ocean, is witnessing significant foreign investments. With a history of consistent economic growth over several decades, Mauritius stands as one of Africa’s most favorable destinations for business. Residency in this nation offers a plethora of advantages, including a high-quality lifestyle, with added perks for citizens of the Southern African Development Community.

Mauritius’ residence program allows foreign nationals to make a real estate investment into the country and apply for a residence permit. Successful applicants and their families are granted full residence rights including the right to live, work, and retire in Mauritius.

• The opportunity to lease the investment property
• Residency that extends to the entire family, encompassing a spouse or common-law partner, parents, and both natural and adopted children of any age, provided they are fully reliant on the primary applicant, unmarried, and without engagement in employment in Mauritius without a valid work or occupation permit
• A safe and secure environment characterized by a tropical climate throughout the year
• Access to international schools and universities
• A backdrop of political, social, and economic stability
• Ranking among the top 20 countries globally for ease of conducting business
• A sophisticated, transparent, and well-regulated international financial hub

The following items are required for an Investor permit:

• Your passport
• Your birth certificate (acceptable in English or French)
• A marriage and/or divorce certificate where relevant (again acceptable in either English or French)
• Four identical color passport photos (4.5 x 3.5cm) dated no more than six months.
• Medical certificate and reports (less than six months old)
• Copy of your current residence permit (where applicable)
• Processing fee (made payable to the Government of Mauritius)
• Evidence of funds, which have been transferred into a Mauritian bank account.

Real State:

Investors acquire with a minimum value of USD 375,000 in one of the following six real estate project categories:

Integrated Resort Scheme (IRS): Comprising villas, townhouses, penthouses, apartments, duplexes, and service plots exceeding 10 hectares.

Real Estate Scheme (RES): Offering units smaller than those in IRS, constructed on freehold land not exceeding 10 hectares.

Property Development Scheme (PDS): Focusing on environmentally conscious projects with a strong community impact, subject to rigorous ecological guidelines.

Invest Hotel Scheme (IHS): Encompassing new or existing hotel units, allowing investors to reside for 45 days within any 12-month period.

Smart City Scheme (SCS): Creating eco-friendly living, working, or recreational spaces designed to be self-sufficient in energy and water, promoting cutting-edge connectivity, modern transportation, and reduced traffic congestion.

Ground +2 Apartment Scheme (G+2): Located within condominium developments with a minimum of two levels above ground.

Alternatively, applicants have the option to choose from various qualifying alternatives for a 20-year permanent residence, tailored for:

• General investors (shareholders or directors of a company in Mauritius): An initial transfer of USD 50,000 for a business endeavor generating cumulative turnover, for an initial 10-year residence period.
• High-technology investors (shareholders or directors of a company in Mauritius): An initial investment of USD 50,000 in high-tech machinery and equipment for a business activity generating cumulative turnover, for an initial 10-year residence period.
• Innovative start-up investors: An initial investment of USD 40,000, with a minimum of 20% expenditure on research and development, or registration with a Mauritian-accredited incubator with a minimum operational expenditure of 20%, for an initial 10-year residence period.
• Professional investors (expatriates employed in Mauritius by contract): A monthly basic salary with a minimum value of approximately USD 1,400 (approximately USD 700 in the ICT sector), for an initial 10-year residence period.
• Self-employed investors (in the services sector, registered under the Business Registration Act 2002): An initial transfer of USD 35,000 to a local bank account in Mauritius, for an initial 10-year residence period.

Retired non-citizen investors (50 years or over): An initial transfer of at least USD 1,500 monthly to a local bank account in Mauritius, for an initial 10-year residence period (or USD 54,000 over the three-year residence period).

Fees:

Here are the fees involved in the Residence by Investment in Mauritius:

Please note that these are the basic fees and there may be additional fees associated with the Residence by Investment program, such as legal fees, medical examinations, and visa fees. It is important to speak to a qualified immigration consultant to get a more accurate estimate of the fees you will be required to pay.

In addition to the fees listed above, you may also need to pay other costs associated with relocating to Mauritius, such as property purchase costs, the cost of living, and the cost of flights and shipping.

Please also note that the Residence by Investment program in Mauritius is currently under review and the fees may change in the future.

• What currency should the investment be made in?

  Investments can be made in US dollars or any other freely convertible foreign currency. Funds should be sourced from outside Mauritius and transferred to Mauritius through a reputable bank registered with the Bank of Mauritius’ Banking Almanac.

  Is it necessary for the applicant to open a bank account to purchase property, and if so, what is the process?

  While it is not mandatory to open a bank account to purchase a home, it is advisable. Funds can be directly transferred to the notary for the transaction.

  What extra expenses will be incurred as a result of the real estate transaction?

  Additional expenses include a 5% registration duty fee, notary fees, and a USD 500 application fee for the letter of approval through the Economic Development Board of Mauritius.

  In Mauritius, how is rental income taxed?

  Rental income is subject to individual income tax at a rate of 15%.

  If I apply for an investor visa, will I be able to gain Mauritius citizenship?

  An applicant initially granted a ten-year residency permit through investment cannot immediately gain Mauritian citizenship. First, they must secure a permanent residency permit, which is awarded three years after obtaining a residence permit, provided specific conditions are met. The criteria for investors usually involve demonstrating annual income. This results in a 20-year permanent residency visa, which can be renewed. After residing in Mauritius for a total of five years, an investor can pursue citizenship, granting access to the Mauritius passport and visa-free travel to 120 countries.

  Can I include family members in my investor visa petition to Mauritius?

  The permanent residence permit extends to the entire family, encompassing a spouse or common-law partner, parents, and natural, step-, or adopted children of any age who are fully dependent on the main applicant, unmarried, and not engaged in employment in Mauritius without a valid work or occupation permit.

  Is it necessary for me to travel to Mauritius to begin the application process?

  Travel to Mauritius is not required to initiate the application process. The National Electronic Licensing System, accessible through an online platform, manages the entire procedure from application submission to the issuance of the approval in principle letter. Registration on the online platform is necessary for security and identity verification and can be done at https://business.edbmauritius.org/.

  As a foreigner, can I buy a home in Mauritius?

  Foreign nationals can purchase residential properties developed under the Integrated Resort (IRS), Real Estate (RES), Property Development (PDS), or Smart City (SCS) schemes. Additionally, a foreign national can acquire an apartment in a building with at least ground plus two stories. Investors with IRS/RES/PDS residence permits are exempt from the requirement for an Occupation or Work Permit to invest and work in Mauritius. Furthermore, a non-citizen with a residence permit under IRS/RES/PDS does not need an Occupation or Work permit to invest and work in Mauritius.

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Visa-Free Countries

Population: 1,300,954 (2023 est.)

GDP (per capita): $13,200 (2023 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity): $35.8 billion (2023 est.)

Capital city: Port Louis

Time zone: UTC+4 (MST)

Total area: 2,040 sq km (788 sq mi)

Languages: English (official), French (official), Mauritian Creole (lingua franca), other minority languages

Currency: Mauritian rupee (MUR)

Main industry: Tourism

Schengen/EU: Mauritius is not a member of the Schengen Area or the European Union.

KEY ADVANTAGES

• Natural beauty: Mauritius is a tropical island paradise with stunning beaches, lush rainforests, and crystal-clear waters. The country is also home to a variety of unique wildlife, including the dodo bird and the Mauritius kestrel.
• Favorable climate: Mauritius has a warm and sunny climate year-round, making it a great place to live for people who enjoy the outdoors. The country also has a low risk of natural disasters, such as hurricanes and earthquakes.
• Multicultural society: Mauritius is a multicultural society with people from all over the world living and working together. This makes it a great place to live for people who are looking for a diverse and inclusive community.

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Disclaimer
The materials contained in this page are provided for general information purposes only and are not intended to provide legal or other professional advice. Processing times and costs will vary depending on a number of factors. CitizenMatch is not responsible for any changes to the time and cost estimates; we can provide specific information on an individual basis. All rights reserved.