Mauritius Residency and Residence Permits

A Mauritius residence permit allows you to live, and in most cases work, on the island as a non-citizen. There are several routes to residency, including retirement, investment, property, and employment, and most of them lead on to permanent residence. This page explains the residence permit categories, who qualifies, and how the pathway to permanent residence works.

For the practical side of relocating, such as cost of living, schools, healthcare, and logistics, see our Moving to Mauritius guide. This page focuses on the permits themselves and your residency status.

• A Mauritius residence permit allows a non-citizen to live, and usually work, in Mauritius for a set period.

• The main routes are retirement, property investment, investor, self employed, professional, and the digital nomad visa.

• Buying a qualifying property worth at least USD 375,000 grants permanent residence immediately.

• Most permits run for up to 10 years and are renewable.

• The Permanent Residence Permit lasts 20 years and is usually available after living in Mauritius for at least 5 years.

What is a Mauritius residence permit?

A Mauritius residence permit is official permission for a foreigner to live in Mauritius for a defined period, and in most cases to work. Some permits grant the right to live only, while others combine the right to live and work in a single permit.

Mauritian residency works as a ladder. Most applicants start on a permit that is valid for up to 10 years and renewable. After meeting the required conditions, usually over 5 years, you can apply for a Permanent Residence Permit valid for 20 years. The property investment route is different, as it grants permanent residence from the moment you buy a qualifying property. Citizenship is a separate and later step.

The three main types are:

• Residence Permit. For retirees and for buyers of qualifying property.

• Occupation Permit. A combined work and residence permit for investors, self employed people, and professionals.

• Permanent Residence Permit. A 20 year permit for those who meet the long term criteria.

What are the routes to Mauritius residency?

There are six main routes to a Mauritius residence permit. The table below summarises who each one suits, the headline requirement, how long the permit lasts, and how it leads to permanent residence.

Route	Headline requirement	Validity	Path to permanent residence
Retirement Permit (aged 50 and over)	USD 2,000 per month, or USD 24,000 per year, to a local bank account	10 years, renewable	Transfer USD 200,000 in total over 5 years
Residence by Property Investment	Property purchase of at least USD 375,000 in an approved scheme	As long as you own the property	Permanent residence from purchase
Investor (Occupation Permit)	Set up a company and invest USD 50,000	10 years, renewable	MUR 15 million per year, or MUR 75 million over 5 years
Self Employed (Occupation Permit)	Register as self employed and transfer USD 50,000	10 years, renewable	MUR 3 million per year, or MUR 15 million over 5 years
Professional (Occupation Permit)	Job offer with a salary of at least MUR 30,000 per month	Up to 10 years, renewable	Salary of MUR 400,000 per month for 5 years
Premium (Digital Nomad) Visa	At least USD 1,500 per month from foreign sources	1 year, renewable	Does not lead to permanent residence

Mauritius residence permit categories

Each route has its own eligibility rules and its own dedicated guide. Here is a short overview of each.

Residence permit by retirement

Foreigners aged 50 and over can obtain a residence permit by transferring at least USD 2,000 per month, or USD 24,000 per year, into a Mauritian bank account. The permit is valid for 10 years and is renewable. Retirees may invest in a Mauritian business but cannot work in it or draw a salary, though remote work for foreign clients is allowed.

Residence by property investment

Buying a property worth at least USD 375,000 in a scheme approved by the government grants permanent residence to you and your dependents. The residence is valid for as long as you own the property, and it lets you live and work in Mauritius without a separate occupation permit. Read our full guide to residency by investment.

Investor permit

Entrepreneurs can obtain an Occupation Permit as an investor by setting up a Mauritian company and investing at least USD 50,000. The permit is valid for 10 years and is renewable. Read our full guide to the occupation permit.

Self-employed permit

Freelancers and consultants who serve foreign clients from Mauritius can obtain an Occupation Permit as a self-employed person by transferring at least USD 50,000 to a Mauritian bank account. The permit is valid for 10 years and is renewable.

Professional permit

Those with a confirmed job offer from a Mauritian employer can obtain an Occupation Permit as a professional, with a minimum salary of MUR 30,000 per month. The permit is valid for up to 10 years and is renewable.

Premium (Digital Nomad) Visa

Remote workers earning at least USD 1,500 per month from foreign employers or clients can live in Mauritius on the Premium Visa for up to a year, renewable. This visa does not lead to permanent residence. Read our full guide to the Mauritius Digital Nomad Visa.

How do you get permanent residence in Mauritius?

Permanent residence in Mauritius is granted through the Permanent Residence Permit, a 20 year permit that lets you and your family live in Mauritius. Retirees, professionals, investors, and self employed people can usually apply after living in Mauritius for at least 5 years and meeting the financial threshold for their route. The property investment route grants permanent residence immediately on purchase.

The thresholds for permanent residence are:

Retirees

Transfer a total of at least USD 200,000 to Mauritius over the 5 years before applying.

Investors

Reach a turnover of at least MUR 15 million per year, or MUR 75 million over 5 years.

Self employed

Earn at least MUR 3 million per year, or MUR 15 million over 5 years.

Professionals

Earn a monthly salary of at least MUR 400,000 for 5 consecutive years.

Property buyers

Buy a qualifying property worth at least USD 375,000. Permanent residence is granted on purchase and kept for as long as you own the property.

An investor, professional, or self-employed person who holds a permanent residence permit may switch to the retired noncitizen category for the remaining validity of the permit, provided they have a disposable annual income of at least USD 40,000, or its equivalent in another freely convertible currency.

What is the difference between residency and citizenship in Mauritius?

Residency and citizenship are not the same thing. A residence permit lets you live and work in Mauritius for the period of your permit. Citizenship makes you a national of Mauritius, with a passport and full civic rights. Citizenship usually comes much later and through separate routes, including naturalisation, marriage, adoption, and descent. Read our guide to Mauritius citizenship requirements.