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Wed, 8 Jul 2026 06:41:00 GMT

Mauritius1331 • Executive Residency Guide

Residency in Mauritius The Complete Residence Permit Guide

For many people, Mauritius begins as a dream destination. For others, it becomes something much more important: a legal home.

Choosing the right residence permit is one of the most important decisions you will make before relocating. It influences where you live, how you work, how you invest and how your future develops.

Discuss Your Residency Strategy Living in Mauritius

Inside This Guide

Occupation Permit

Investor Residence

Professional Residence

Self-Employed Permit

Premium Visa

Retired Non-Citizen

Permanent Residence

Family Relocation

Application Process

Editorial Perspective
Residency Is More Than Permission To Stay. It Is The Foundation Of Your New Life.

People often ask, "Which residence permit should I apply for?" The better question is usually different. "What kind of life do I actually want to build in Mauritius?"

Every residency pathway has advantages. Entrepreneurs have different priorities from retirees. Investors think differently from remote workers. Families require a completely different strategy again.

Choosing the correct residence permit therefore begins with understanding your long-term objectives—not simply filling in application forms.

Mauritius1331 Insight

The best residence permit is not necessarily the easiest one. It is the one that supports your future ten years from now.

Quick Overview
Which Residency Option Fits You?

Investor

Ideal for entrepreneurs and investors establishing long-term economic activities in Mauritius.

Professional

Suitable for employees working for Mauritian companies.

Self-Employed

Designed for professionals operating their own business activities.

Premium Visa

Popular with remote workers and long-stay visitors.

Retired Non-Citizen

A structured pathway for qualifying retirees wishing to enjoy life in Mauritius.

Permanent Residence

The long-term objective for many international residents.

Decision Matrix
Where Do You Fit?

Your Situation | Most Suitable Option
Business owner | Investor Permit
Employee | Professional Occupation Permit
Freelancer | Self-Employed Permit
Remote Worker | Premium Visa
Retired Couple | Retired Non-Citizen
Long-Term Resident | Permanent Residence

Executive Recommendation

Do not begin with the permit. Begin with your lifestyle, business model, investment plans and family goals. The correct permit usually becomes obvious afterwards.

Investor Residence
The Investor Residence Permit

Mauritius has become one of Africa's most attractive jurisdictions for entrepreneurs and internationally active business owners. The Investor Residence Permit is designed for people who want to establish genuine business activity while enjoying one of the world's most stable island economies.

Many entrepreneurs initially focus on tax rates. In reality, taxation is only one component of a successful relocation strategy. Political stability, banking, legal certainty, international connectivity, lifestyle, education and healthcare are equally important.

Ideal For

International entrepreneurs

Holding structures

Consultants

Trading companies

Technology founders

International investors

Before Applying

Create a business strategy

Understand licensing requirements

Review taxation

Prepare financial documentation

Choose suitable advisers

Mauritius1331 Insight

The strongest entrepreneurs do not move to Mauritius because taxes are lower. They move because Mauritius combines taxation, quality of life, legal certainty and international business access in a way few jurisdictions can match.

Professional Occupation Permit
Working For A Mauritian Company

Professionals employed by Mauritian companies may qualify for an Occupation Permit under the applicable immigration framework.

For many internationally recruited specialists this becomes the first step towards building a long-term future on the island.

Suitable For

Executives

Managers

Engineers

Healthcare professionals

IT specialists

Financial professionals

Important Planning

Employment contract

Healthcare

Accommodation

School planning

Bank account

Insurance

Many professionals combine this guide with Best Places to Live and Healthcare in Mauritius before accepting an international position.

Self-Employed
Building Your Own Business

Mauritius attracts consultants, creatives, coaches, digital professionals and independent entrepreneurs who want to operate internationally from one of the world's most attractive island locations.

Being self-employed offers flexibility, but it also requires careful preparation. Business planning, taxation, banking, licensing and client structure should all be considered before relocation.

Typical Businesses

Consulting

Marketing

Software

Architecture

Design

Professional services

Questions To Ask Yourself

Where are your clients?

Will you invoice internationally?

Which licences are required?

What banking solution fits you?

What tax structure is appropriate?

Executive Advice

Moving your life is relatively easy. Moving your business requires considerably more preparation. The earlier the business strategy is developed, the smoother the relocation becomes.

Residency Planning
Residency Is Part Of A Bigger Strategy

A residence permit should never be planned in isolation. It interacts with taxation, healthcare, family planning, education, property ownership and investment.

Read Next

Tax Optimisation →

Business →

Buying Property →

Remember

The residence permit allows you to live in Mauritius. The strategy determines how successful your life in Mauritius will actually become.

Premium Visa
The Mauritius Premium Visa

Not everyone relocating to Mauritius intends to establish a local company immediately. Some simply want to enjoy island life while continuing to work remotely or manage international activities abroad.

The Premium Visa offers an attractive pathway for long-stay visitors who generate their income outside Mauritius and wish to experience life on the island before making a long-term commitment.

Ideal For

Remote workers

Digital entrepreneurs

International consultants

Online business owners

Location-independent professionals

People considering future relocation

Advantages

Experience everyday life

Test different regions

Build local contacts

Explore investment opportunities

Prepare long-term relocation

Mauritius1331 Insight

Many successful relocations begin with a Premium Visa. It allows future residents to experience Mauritius as residents rather than tourists before making larger financial commitments.

Retired Non-Citizen
Retirement In Mauritius

Mauritius has become one of the most attractive retirement destinations for internationally minded people seeking political stability, warm weather and an outstanding quality of life.

Retirement is no longer simply about enjoying a pleasant climate. Today's retirees also evaluate healthcare, safety, financial security, international accessibility and long-term lifestyle.

Why Retirees Choose Mauritius

Year-round warm climate

Private healthcare

Political stability

Relaxed lifestyle

International community

Beautiful coastline

Before Relocating

Healthcare planning

Insurance

Property strategy

Residency planning

Income structure

Estate planning

Continue reading: Retirees in Mauritius →

Permanent Residence
Building A Long-Term Future

Many people initially arrive in Mauritius with temporary residence. Over time, they begin building businesses, purchasing property, expanding investments and establishing lasting connections with the island.

Permanent Residence becomes an important milestone for those who have already demonstrated a long-term commitment to Mauritius.

Typical Candidates

Business owners

Long-term investors

Experienced expatriates

International families

Retirees

Long-Term Thinking

Permanent Residence is rarely the starting point. It is usually the result of years of thoughtful planning and successful integration into Mauritian life.

Executive Perspective

Think of residency as a journey rather than a single application. Most successful international residents gradually build their future step by step instead of trying to optimise everything immediately.

Choosing The Right Permit
A Simple Decision Framework

You want to...

Build a company

Invest internationally

Create long-term wealth

Recommended: Investor Residence

You already have employment

Executive role

Specialist position

Professional career

Recommended: Professional Occupation Permit

You work independently

Consultant

Freelancer

Agency owner

Coach

Recommended: Self-Employed Permit

You want to test Mauritius

Remote work

Lifestyle exploration

No immediate company

Recommended: Premium Visa

You are retiring

Stable income

Healthcare focus

Quality of life

Recommended: Retired Non-Citizen Permit

You already live in Mauritius

Business established

Property owned

Long-term planning

Recommended: Permanent Residence

Application Timeline
A Typical Residency Journey

Although every application is unique, most successful relocations follow a similar timeline. Planning ahead reduces stress and allows each stage to support the next.

6–12 Months Before

Choose your relocation strategy

Compare residency pathways

Review taxation

Evaluate healthcare

Select preferred regions

3–6 Months Before

Prepare documentation

Develop your business plan if required

Review banking

Choose accommodation

Arrange health insurance

Arrival

Complete local formalities

Open accounts

Meet advisers

Establish routines

Begin enjoying Mauritius

Executive Advice

Residency should never be viewed as paperwork. It is the legal framework supporting every aspect of your future life in Mauritius.

Common Mistakes
Avoid These Residency Mistakes

1. Applying without a long-term strategy.

2. Choosing a permit solely because someone recommended it.

3. Ignoring future family requirements.

4. Failing to coordinate tax planning.

5. Ignoring healthcare planning.

6. Buying property before understanding residency implications.

7. Using outdated online information.

8. Not preparing documentation early enough.

9. Trying to optimise everything at once.

10. Making decisions without professional advice.

Remember

Most residency problems do not arise because Mauritius is complicated. They arise because applicants underestimate how closely residency connects with taxation, banking, healthcare, property ownership and family planning.

Frequently Asked Questions
Residency In Mauritius – FAQ

Can foreigners become residents in Mauritius?

Yes. Mauritius offers several legal pathways depending on your professional activity, investment plans, retirement status or intended length of stay.

Which residence permit is best?

There is no universal answer. The best permit depends on your business activities, employment, family situation and long-term objectives.

Can I buy property before obtaining residency?

Yes, under qualifying property schemes. However, property ownership and residency should always be planned together.

Can my family join me?

Many residency categories allow eligible dependants. Family planning should be considered before submitting your application.

How long does the process usually take?

Processing times vary depending on the permit category and the completeness of your documentation.

Should I apply myself?

Some applicants manage the process independently. Others prefer experienced advisers to reduce delays, avoid mistakes and integrate residency with their wider relocation strategy.

Can residency lead to permanent residence?

Depending on the applicable legal framework and your circumstances, long-term residents may later qualify for permanent residence.

What is the first step?

The first step is not filling in forms. It is deciding what kind of future you want to build in Mauritius.

Related Guides
Continue Planning Your Move

Living in Mauritius

Read Guide →

Moving Checklist

Complete Checklist →

Healthcare

Healthcare Guide →

Buying Property

Property Guide →

Best Places To Live

Compare Regions →

Cost Of Living

Budget Guide →

Business & Investment

Business Guide →

Tax Optimisation

Tax Guide →

Retirement

Retirement Guide →

Final Thoughts
Residency Is The Beginning. Not The Destination.

Receiving a residence permit is an important milestone. But it is only the legal beginning of your life in Mauritius. The real journey starts afterwards.

Where you choose to live. How you organise your finances. Which healthcare providers you trust. How your children settle into school. How your business grows. How your investments evolve. These are the decisions that ultimately define whether Mauritius becomes simply another address—or genuinely feels like home.

Mauritius1331 Philosophy

We do not simply help clients obtain residency. We help them build a successful life in Mauritius. That difference shapes every recommendation we make.

Book Your Mauritius Strategy Consultation

Last reviewed: July 2026
Residency regulations, financial thresholds and immigration requirements may change over time. Always verify current requirements with the relevant Mauritian authorities before making legal or financial decisions.