Residence Permit Mauritius 

Mauritius has, in its recent Budget, provided for expatriates to live and work in Mauritius fairly easily.

1. 
   The residence permit and work permit is now combined into a single permit, named the Occupational Permit – The following criteria have to be met: for investors generating more than Rs 3 million of annual turnover (approx USD 100,000); for professionals offered employment paying more than Rs 30,000 a month (approx USD 1,000); and for self-employed generating an annual income of Rs 600,000 a year (approx USD 20,000).

2. The application has to be submitted to the BOI (Board of Investment), who will assist a qualifying foreign investor or a self-employed to secure an occupation permit for himself and residence permits for his spouse and dependents.

3.  Any firm can apply through BOI for an occupation permit for any foreign employee it pays more than Rs 30,000 (approx US$ 1,000) a month and a residence permit for the spouse and children of that employee.

4. A non-citizen retiree providing evidence that he/she will bring in at least USD 40,000 annually can apply through BOI for a residence permit. However, he or she will have to provide a bank guarantee of USD 10,000. The same will apply to self-employed professionals.

5. All foreigners applying for occupation or residence permits will be able to provide a health certificate issued by an accredited doctor in Mauritius instead of a health clearance from Government hospitals.

6. The occupation permits for investors and professionals and residence permits for their dependents will be issued within three working days. Within one working day BOI will forward the applications to the immigration department, which will provide a document acknowledging the date and time of application. If after two working days the immigration department has not raised any objection the document will become automatically an occupation and residence permit valid for three years from the stamped date, in line with the silent agreement principle.

7. The spouse of a holder of an occupation permit can take up any job paying more than Rs 30,000 a month (approx USD 1,000), set up a business or work as a self-employed professional earning at least Rs 600,000 (approx USD 20,000) a year according to the same provisions as investors and skilled professionals.

8. After three years of activity in Mauritius, consistent with the terms of entry, the foreign national and spouse and dependents can apply for permanent residence. The Permanent Residence Permit will be valid for ten years and allow unrestricted work and residence as well as purchase of real estate.