How do I apply for the Mauritius Premium Visa?

Apply online through the Passport and Immigration Office portal (passport.govmu.org). You'll need: a valid passport, proof of remote income ($1,500/month minimum), travel insurance, and proof of accommodation in Mauritius. The application is completely free — no processing fee from the Mauritian government. Processing takes 2–4 weeks. You can apply from abroad or convert from tourist status while in Mauritius. The visa is valid for 1 year and renewable annually.

Can I work locally in Mauritius on a Premium Visa?

No — the Premium Visa specifically prohibits entering the local Mauritian labour market. Your income must come from sources outside Mauritius (remote employment, freelancing, or business). If you want to work for a Mauritian company or take local clients, you need an Occupation Permit. However, Premium Visa holders can apply for an Occupation Permit while in Mauritius without leaving the country.

What is the minimum salary for an Occupation Permit?

The Professional category requires a minimum basic salary of MUR 30,000/month (~$665) from a Mauritian employer. The Young Professional category (under 30) has a lower threshold of MUR 20,000/month (~$445). The Self-Employed category requires minimum annual income of MUR 600,000 (~$13,300). The Investor category requires a minimum $50,000 investment. Application fee is $50 (non-refundable) as of December 2025.

Can I get permanent residence in Mauritius?

Yes — permanent residence is available through the Permanent Residence Programme after holding an Occupation Permit for 3 years, combined with an investment of $375,000 in approved real estate or business. Alternatively, purchasing property under the PDS/IRS scheme worth $375,000+ grants a 10-year renewable residence permit. Long-term continuous residence can also lead to citizenship after 7+ years, though dual citizenship restrictions apply for some nationalities.

Do I need health insurance for a Mauritius visa?

For the Premium Visa, travel/health insurance is required as part of the application. For Occupation Permits and Residence Permits, insurance is strongly recommended but not always mandatory. All residents have access to Mauritius's free public healthcare system, but most expats purchase private health insurance (MUR 2,000–4,000/month) for access to better-equipped private hospitals like C-Care Darné and Wellkin.

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🇲🇺 Mauritius

Visa & Residency

Mauritius offers one of the world's most welcoming visa frameworks for expats — highlighted by the free Premium Visa (digital nomad visa) allowing remote workers to stay for one year, the Occupation Permit combining work and residence in a single document, and investor/retiree residence permits. English-speaking bureaucracy, online applications, and a transparent process make Mauritius remarkably accessible compared to most destinations..

1 year

Premium Visa

Free, renewable, for remote workers

Up to 10 years

Occupation Permit

Combined work + residence permit

$50,000+ investment

Investor Permit

Business or property-based

60–90 days

Tourist Visa

Visa-free for 100+ nationalities

2–8 weeks

Processing Time

Occupation Permit from application

Last updated: March 2026

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Overview

Key Takeaways

Duration: 1 year, renewable annually — no limit on renewals
Professional category: for employees hired by a Mauritian company; minimum basic salary of MUR 30,000/month (~$665)
Retired non-citizen: must transfer a minimum of $1,500/month to a Mauritian bank account as proof of income
Visa-free: citizens of the UK, EU, US, Canada, Australia, South Africa, India, China, and 100+ other countries
100% foreign ownership: permitted in most sectors without local partner requirement

Premium Visa (Digital Nomad Visa)

The Premium Visa is Mauritius's flagship offering for remote workers, freelancers, and retirees. It allows non-citizens to live in Mauritius for one year (renewable) while working remotely for employers or clients based outside Mauritius. Remarkably, there are zero processing fees — one of the world's only free digital nomad visas.

Duration: 1 year, renewable annually — no limit on renewals
Cost: completely free — no application fee, no processing fee, no government charges
Income requirement: minimum $1,500/month from sources outside Mauritius
Eligibility: remote workers, freelancers, self-employed professionals, retirees, and startup founders (as of 2025)
Restriction: cannot enter the local Mauritian labour market or take local employment
Tax status: first 6 months tax-free on foreign income brought to Mauritius; after 183 days, foreign income remitted to Mauritius becomes taxable
Dependents: spouse and children can be included on the same application
Apply online through the Passport and Immigration Office portal — decision typically within 2–4 weeks

Occupation Permit (Work + Residence)

The Occupation Permit is Mauritius's unique single-document authorisation combining a work permit and residence permit. Available under four categories — Professional (employee), Investor, Self-Employed, and Young Professional — it streamlines the process of legally living and working in Mauritius.

Professional category: for employees hired by a Mauritian company; minimum basic salary of MUR 30,000/month (~$665)
Investor category: minimum investment of $50,000 in a Mauritius-registered business; annual turnover targets apply
Self-Employed category: for freelancers and independent contractors earning from Mauritius-based work; minimum annual income of MUR 600,000 ($13,300)
Young Professional category (under 30): minimum salary of MUR 20,000/month (~$445); encourages young talent
Duration: initially 3 years, renewable up to 10 years; fast-tracked for certain sectors (ICT, fintech, healthcare)
Application fee: $50 non-refundable (effective December 2025)
Dependent permits: spouse and children included; dependents can also apply for their own Occupation Permits
Applied through the Economic Development Board (EDB) of Mauritius online portal

Residence Permit (Retirees & Property Owners)

Mauritius offers residence permits for retired non-citizens, property buyers under approved real estate schemes, and high-net-worth individuals. These permits provide long-term residency without requiring local employment.

Retired non-citizen: must transfer a minimum of $1,500/month to a Mauritian bank account as proof of income
Real estate schemes (PDS/IRS/RES): purchasing property in an approved scheme worth $375,000+ grants automatic residence permit
Smart City Scheme: buying property in a designated Smart City (Moka, Mon Trésor) also qualifies
Duration: initially 10 years, renewable; permanent residence possible after continued residency
Permanent Residence Programme: available after 3 years on an Occupation Permit with investment of $375,000 in approved property or business
Family included: spouse and dependent children covered under the same permit
No local work restriction for property-based residence — can also hold an Occupation Permit simultaneously

Tourist Visa and Visa-Free Entry

Mauritius offers visa-free entry to citizens of over 100 countries, making it one of the most accessible island nations. Tourist stays of 60–90 days are standard, with extensions possible.

Visa-free: citizens of the UK, EU, US, Canada, Australia, South Africa, India, China, and 100+ other countries
Duration: 60 days standard, extendable to 90 days at the Passport and Immigration Office
Requirements: valid passport (6+ months), return ticket, proof of accommodation, and sufficient funds
No visa-on-arrival fee for most nationalities — stamp given on entry
Can transition to Premium Visa or Occupation Permit while in Mauritius — no need to leave the country
Yellow fever vaccination certificate required if arriving from an endemic country
SSR International Airport: modern arrivals terminal with e-gates for registered travellers

Business and Investor Visas

Mauritius actively courts foreign investment with a business-friendly regulatory environment, 100% foreign ownership in most sectors, and the Economic Development Board (EDB) acting as a one-stop shop for investors.

100% foreign ownership: permitted in most sectors without local partner requirement
Global Business Licence (GBL): for international holding companies, funds, and trading entities — 15% corporate tax with effective rates as low as 3% through foreign tax credits
Freeport zone: duty-free manufacturing, warehousing, and trading activities
EDB (Economic Development Board): single-window clearance for business registration, permits, and incentives
Mauritius is a member of COMESA and SADC — preferential trade access to African markets
No exchange controls — free repatriation of profits, dividends, and capital
Company registration: typically completed in 3–5 business days through EDB

FAQs