By Beacon Services
Updated: August 2025

For all permit and visa queries:
Email: samina@beaconofservices.com
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Permit & Immigration Changes for Expatriates (August 2025)

1. Reduced Validity for Permits

• Residence permits for retirees, investors, and self-employed now valid for 5 years (down from 10), renewable.

1. Retired Non-Citizen Residence Permit

• Transfer USD 2,000 monthly (USD 24,000 annually) to local bank.
• Reside at least 180 days per year in Mauritius.

1. Occupation Permits (Professionals, Young Professionals, Self-Employed)

• Young Professional OP reduced from 3 to 2 years; then apply for standard OP if eligible.
• Professional minimum monthly basic salary: MUR 30,000.
• Self-Employed minimum investment: USD 50,000.

1. Permanent Residence (20 Years): Stricter Criteria

Category	Previous Criteria	New Criteria (August 2025)
Investor	USD 375,000 + MUR 15M/year for 3 yrs	Hold OP for 5 years + MUR 15M/year for 5 years or MUR 75M total
Professional	3 years experience + salary ≥ MUR 150,000	5 years experience + salary ≥ MUR 400,000/month
Self-Employed	MUR 3M/year for 3 years	MUR 3M/year for 5 years or MUR 15M cumulative
Retirees	USD 54,000 over 3 years	USD 200,000 over 5 years

Summary of Key Changes from August 2025

• Permits shortened to 5 years (renewable) for retirees, investors, self-employed.
• Retirees: Mandatory transfers and 180-day residency.
• Young Professionals: Shortened permit (min salary MUR 25,000), progression to standard OP.
• Professionals: Min salary MUR 30,000.
• Permanent residency: Longer stays, higher thresholds.
• Self-Employed: Investment from USD 35,000 to USD 50,000.

What is an Occupation Permit in Mauritius?

The Occupation Permit (OP) combines work and residence for foreign nationals in three categories:

• Investor
• Professional
• Self-Employed

Cannot hold OP in multiple categories simultaneously.

Foreign nationals over 50 may retire under Residence Permit (RP), allowing residence without work.

• Investor/Self-Employed OP and Retired RP: Max 5 years, renewable.
• Professional OP: Max 10 years or contract duration, renewable.

What is Approval in Principle?

OP/RP applications submitted online first. Upon approval, 90 days to travel to Mauritius for medical tests and interview with EDB/PIO. If approved, permit issued same day or soon after.

Before travel: Valid passport (6+ months), visa if needed, return ticket.

Main Criteria Under Each Permit Route

A. Investor Permit

Option 1: USD 50,000

• Initial transfer: USD 50,000 to company bank.
• Submit: Certified home bank statement, undertaking to transfer within 60 days of issuance.
• Performance: Year 1 MUR 1.5M turnover; cumulative MUR 20M by Year 5. Renewal: MUR 5M annual from Year 6.

Option 2: USD 100,000

• Initial transfer: USD 100,000 to company bank.
• Submit: As above.
• Performance: Year 1 MUR 1M; cumulative MUR 15M by Year 5. Renewal: MUR 5M annual from Year 6.
  (Note: Lower thresholds than Option 1.)

B. Professional Permit

Option 1: ProPass

• Min monthly basic salary: MUR 30,000.
• Duration: Contract length or up to 10 years.

Option 2: Expert Pass

• Min monthly basic salary: MUR 250,000.
• Duration: Contract length or up to 10 years.

C. Self-Employed Permit

• Initial investment: USD 50,000 transferred to Mauritian bank.
• Restricted to services sector.
• Submit: 3 letters of intent (2 from local clients).
• Can employ 1 local admin staff.
• Performance: Year 1 MUR 750,000 income; cumulative MUR 6M by Year 5. Renewal: MUR 1.5M annual from Year 6.

D. Retired Permit

• For non-citizens 50+.
• Initial: 5 years.
• Reside 180+ days/year.
• Initial transfer: USD 2,000 from personal foreign account.
• Ongoing: USD 2,000 monthly or USD 24,000 annually.
• Can hold local investments if non-executive, no salary/fees.

Restricted Activities for OP

Require ministry clearance:

• Tourism: Check http://www.tourism.govmu.org.
• Trading: Imports for local sale may not be allowed.
• Medical: Practitioners submit qualifications for review; only professional/investor categories.
• Allied Health: Register with http://ahpcmauritius.org; only if scarce; professional/investor only.

Other Ways to Obtain Residence Permit

Buy property ≥ USD 375,000 in approved scheme: Residence Permit while owning; includes dependents. Allows professional activity without additional OP.

Dependents Definition for OP/RP

• Spouse (opposite sex common law; same-sex not recognized), children/stepchildren/adopted under 24.
• Dependent parents of OP holders (Investor/Professional/Self-Employed) allowed; apply at PIO.
• Duration ≤ main holder’s.

Tourist Visa for Mauritius

• Exempt passports: On arrival, up to 60 days; extend 30 days max.
• Restricted: Apply at Mauritian Embassy.
• Requirements: https://passport.govmu.org/passport/?page_id=605

Business Visa for Mauritius

• Exempt passports: On arrival with local sponsor letter.
• Restricted: Apply at Embassy.
• No remunerated work; conferences/meetings only. Max 120 days/year.

Important Notes on Tourist/Business Visas

• Passport 6+ months valid, return ticket, sufficient funds.
• Max 180 days/year combined tourist/business.
• Cannot convert tourist to business or vice versa.
• Combined days count toward 180-day limit.