Living by the lagoon all year round starts with a residence status that fits your plans. The residence permit in Mauritius rests on several schemes, each shaped for a particular profile: employee, entrepreneur, retiree, investor or remote worker.
At MJ Développement, a property developer in Mauritius, we guide candidates for relocation every week through choosing the right permit and preparing their file. Here are the available routes, their practical conditions and the steps to plan before settling in Mauritius with peace of mind.
Key facts at a glance
| Permit | Who it is for | Main condition |
|---|---|---|
| Investor Occupation Permit | Entrepreneurs | USD 50,000 invested in a Mauritian company |
| Professional Occupation Permit | Qualified employees | Minimum gross monthly salary of MUR 30,000 |
| Retired Residence Permit | Non-citizens aged 50 and over | Transfer of at least USD 1,500 per month |
| Premium Visa | Remote workers, long stays | Foreign income, stay of up to one year, renewable |
| Residence through property purchase | Investors | Purchase from USD 375,000 in an approved development |
The main residence permits in Mauritius
Choosing the right residence permit in Mauritius depends on your age, your income and the life you plan on the island. The country has built a clear framework, separating the working permit holder from the retiree, the remote worker from the property investor.
Here are the main routes used by French nationals moving to Mauritius.
Occupation Permit for professionals and entrepreneurs
The Occupation Permit combines a work and a residence permit.
Three profiles qualify: the investor, who brings at least USD 50,000 into a Mauritian company, the salaried professional, paid at least MUR 30,000 gross per month (MUR 60,000 in ICT and BPO), and the self-employed, who transfers an initial USD 35,000 to start their activity. It runs for up to 10 years, renewable.
Residence Permit for retirees aged 50 and over
This status is for non-citizens aged 50 and over who want to settle in Mauritius without taking local salaried employment.
You must evidence a transfer of at least USD 1,500 per month (USD 18,000 a year) into a Mauritian bank account. It is valid for 10 years and extends residence rights to a spouse and dependent children.
Premium Visa for remote work and long stays
The Premium Visa allows a stay of six months to a year, renewable, for remote workers, retirees and long-term travellers.
Holders live on foreign income, without entering the local labour market. It is also a way to try out daily Mauritian life before a longer-term plan, between working remotely by the lagoon and discovering the beaches of Mauritius across several seasons.
Good to know: at MJ Développement, we see more and more families use the Premium Visa as a way in. You live on the island for a year, try out the schools, the area and the climate, then move calmly on to an Occupation Permit or residence through a property purchase. That step reassures buyers and confirms where they want to settle.
Settling through a property purchase
Property is the route most favoured by investors seeking a residence permit in Mauritius. By buying in a development approved for foreign buyers (PDS, IRS, RES, Smart City, Ground+2) from USD 375,000, you obtain residence for yourself, your spouse and your dependent children, for as long as you own the property.
This option appeals to buyers who want to combine assets with a tropical way of life. Our MJ Développement developments fall within this framework, such as the contemporary villas of Mythic Villas in Grand Gaube, in the north, designed for family life with direct access to the lagoon.
Beyond the residence status, these homes open up easier access to our resort services, rental management and a secure setting, much sought after by French expatriate families.
From our experience on the ground: we find that buying property is the most stable route for a family move. It secures both the residence status and the assets, without the uncertainty of a renewal tied to a salary or a turnover figure. Many of our buyers combine a main home with seasonal letting to make their Mauritian investment pay.
Your administrative steps, one by one
All applications for a residence permit in Mauritius go through the official NELS platform of the Economic Development Board. Allow around two months of processing once a complete file has been submitted, provided every document is prepared in advance.
Here is the sequence to follow so that nothing is left to chance:
- Gather your passport, proof of income, a recent medical certificate and a criminal record extract.
- Put together your Mauritian banking file to evidence the transfers required by your chosen permit.
- Submit the application on the NELS platform of the Economic Development Board and pay the official fees.
- Plan ahead for housing, private health insurance and schooling before you arrive.
According to the Economic Development Board Mauritius, more than 12,000 permits were active recently, a sign of sustained momentum in relocation to the island.
As our team at MJ Développement puts it, “the best permit is not always the quickest to obtain, but the one that matches the life you plan for the next ten years: investing, working or enjoying a peaceful retirement”.
Want to turn your plans into reality and settle in Mauritius? Whether you are aiming for an Occupation Permit, a retired permit or residence through a property purchase, the MJ Développement team guides you through choosing the right scheme, preparing the file and every official step.
Get in touch to build a tailor-made plan and discover Mauritius at its best.
FAQ – Residence permit in Mauritius
Who can obtain a residence permit in Mauritius?
The residence permit in Mauritius is open to several profiles: professionals and entrepreneurs through the Occupation Permit, non-citizens aged 50 and over through the retired permit, remote workers through the Premium Visa, and investors who buy an approved property. Each route sets its own conditions.
How much does a residence permit in Mauritius cost?
The cost depends on the scheme chosen. The Occupation Permit and the retired permit carry official fees of several hundred euros, on top of the income or investment thresholds to be met. Residence obtained through a property purchase carries no specific fee beyond the price of the property.
How long does it take to obtain a residence permit in Mauritius?
Allow around two months after a complete file is submitted on the NELS platform. Plan at least three months of preparation beforehand to gather proof of income, the medical certificate and to open a local bank account.
Can you work in Mauritius on a residence permit?
Yes, with an Occupation Permit, which combines residence and the right to work. The retired permit and the Premium Visa, by contrast, do not allow local salaried employment: their holders live on foreign income only. A change of status remains possible if your professional plans evolve on the island.
Does a Mauritian residence permit cover the family?
Yes, in most cases it extends residence to a spouse and dependent children. The Occupation Permit, the retired permit and residence through a property purchase all include close family, subject to the supporting documents provided when the file is submitted.
Is there a permanent residence permit in Mauritius?
Yes, a permanent residence permit valid for 20 years exists in Mauritius. It becomes available after several consecutive years on an Occupation Permit or a retired permit, subject to stable income conditions. It secures your move for the long term, without renewing your status every ten years.
What should you do in Mauritius before applying for a permit?
Before applying, many families book a holiday in Mauritius to scout the regions and test the climate. A guide to what to do in Mauritius also sharpens the choice of area, home and scheme for your plans.
Which MJ Développement developments grant residence through purchase?
Several of our developments grant residence through acquisition, such as the apartments and penthouses of Legend Hill, designed for residential living, or the exceptional homes of Shobas Villas, facing the ocean. Each project is assessed against your profile and your wealth objectives.
Sources
- Economic Development Board Mauritius: edbmauritius.org
- Service-Public.fr, moving to Mauritius: service-public.fr
