FAQ
Frequently asked questions
This FAQ is compiled from the official guidelines and website of Economic Development Board (EDB) Mauritius, supplemented by our front-line service experience. Where policies change, the latest EDB rules prevail.
How much does the Mauritius Investor visa cost?
Under the current criteria on the EDB website, the Investor visa requires a minimum investment of USD 100,000 (approx. RMB 720,000) in Mauritius, transferred from abroad into your own Mauritian account within 60 days of approval. From the 3rd year after company registration, annual turnover must reach MUR 5 million; at the 10-year renewal, MUR 8 million per year is required counting from year 5. The permit is valid for 10 years; after 5 years you may apply for 20-year permanent residency (annual turnover of MUR 15 million in the 5 years before applying, or MUR 75 million cumulative over 5 consecutive years). A government licence fee of USD 1,000 applies upon approval.
What are the eligibility criteria for the Retirement permit?
Applicants must be 50 or older. Under current EDB criteria you must show financial means: at least USD 24,000 per year of available funds in your own Mauritian bank account, or guaranteed monthly income of USD 2,000, to apply for the Retirement permit. It is valid for 10 years and renewable; after 5 years, with cumulative transfers above USD 200,000 over the 5 years before applying, you may apply for 20-year permanent residency. A government licence fee of USD 1,000 applies upon approval. No worldwide asset review is required; approval is fast, typically within 2 to 4 weeks.
Can my family accompany me?
Yes. The main applicant of an Investor visa or Retirement permit may apply for Dependent permits for a spouse, unmarried children under 22 and eligible dependent parents; dependents enjoy the same validity as the main applicant. Parents are included provided the main applicant signs an undertaking to assume their economic and social responsibility, subject to case-by-case approval by the Passport and Immigration Office (PIO).
Is Mauritius tax-friendly for immigrants?
Corporate income tax is 15%, personal income tax progressive at 10% to 15%, and VAT 15%. Per official EDB material, Mauritius levies no wealth tax or inheritance tax, and dividends and capital gains (in general) are not taxed. It also has double-taxation agreements with 40+ countries and regions including China, France, the UK and India.
Is Mauritius safe? Is it suitable for expatriate life?
Mauritius is stable and orderly — one of the few African countries with long-standing political peace and democratic elections. There is a Sino-Mauritian community of over 30,000, and Chinese New Year is a national holiday. English and French are official languages; Chinese restaurants and supermarkets are plentiful and daily life is convenient.
What is the Investor visa process, and how long does it take?
The standard process has 6 steps: 1. Paid consultation and assessment (fee offset upon signing); 2. On-site visit to Mauritius and company registration; 3. Preparing application documents; 4. Submitting to the EDB; 5. After approval, paying the government licence fee (USD 1,000) and attending the EDB verification of originals to collect the permit; 6. Opening personal and company bank accounts, residency and biometric registration, and settling-in services (schools, rentals, utilities). The whole cycle typically takes 2 to 4 months; the Retirement permit is usually faster.
How long must I stay to keep my permit valid? Is there an "immigration trap"?
Mauritian residence permits have no strict minimum physical-presence requirement. Investor visa holders must keep the investment operating and meet turnover requirements; Retirement permit holders must meet the annual transfer threshold. For 20-year permanent residency, spending part of each year actually in Mauritius is advisable to demonstrate genuine residence intent.
Is daily life convenient without English or French?
English is the official language, with French and Creole widely used; tourism and finance professionals generally speak English. The Chinese community is well established — Chinese restaurants, supermarkets and clinics, plus a Chinatown in Port Louis. We provide Chinese-language settling-in support.
What are education and healthcare like?
Mauritius follows a British-style education system with free public schooling and international schools such as Northfields and Clavis at one-third to one-half of comparable Chinese fees. Healthcare follows the British model: public healthcare is free, private hospitals are modern, and advanced care is accessible in South Africa, India and Dubai.
How much does it cost to apply through you?
A consultation fee is charged for the assessment stage; once you sign, it is fully offset against the agency service fee. Investor visa service fees are typically USD 15,000 to 40,000 (depending on investment direction) on top of official application fees, covering company registration, document preparation, translation and notarisation, settling-in and the whole process. Retirement permit fees are relatively lower. Services are modular and billed step by step, with no hidden charges.
Can you guarantee approval?
We do not promise guaranteed approval — all visa decisions are made by the Mauritian authorities (such as the EDB). Our value lies in 13 years of on-the-ground experience: matching the right scheme, ensuring document quality and driving the process forward to reduce risk and save your time. For GBL (Global Business Licence) or offshore company business, which requires licensed financial qualifications, we match clients with more specialised licensed partner firms.
What basic documents are needed?
Per the EDB guidelines, typically: passport personal-data page, colour ID photos 3.5 x 4.5 cm taken within 6 months, birth certificate (original in English or French, or certified translation), proof of funds (bank statement/certificate), a detailed business plan (investors, on the EDB template), and a certificate of good conduct / police clearance (retirees, covering the last 10 years and issued within 6 months). After approval in principle online, also company registration documents, shareholding and director registers, proof of funds arrival and a medical report, with all originals presented at the appointment.
Does applying to the EDB itself cost anything?
Per the EDB, submitting an Investor visa or Retirement permit application online via the National Electronic Licensing System (NELS) is free of charge — EDB charges no application processing fee. Only successful applicants pay the statutory government licence fee. We advise caution with agencies that charge extra in the name of an "official application fee".
Which family members exactly can accompany me?
Under official rules, eligible dependents include: the spouse (including partners in a de facto heterosexual relationship), parents, and unmarried children under 22 not engaged in gainful activity (including stepchildren and legally adopted children). Dependents may not stay longer than the main applicant. Parents require the main applicant's undertaking to assume their economic and social responsibility, subject to case-by-case approval by the Passport and Immigration Office (PIO). Under the Immigration Act, the spouse of an Occupation Permit holder may also apply for an Occupation Permit in their own right and work in Mauritius.
What is the Premium Visa and who is it for?
The Premium Visa is an official long-stay visitor visa valid for more than 6 months up to 1 year, renewable — for tourists, retirees, and professionals who wish to work remotely from Mauritius with their family. Conditions: the holder must not enter the Mauritian labour market, the centre of business and source of income must remain outside Mauritius, and proof of a long-stay plan plus sufficient travel and health insurance is required. Applied for online, free of charge, with the e-visa issued by email.
Can I switch to a Premium Visa after entering on a tourist visa?
Yes. You may submit a Premium Visa application online while in Mauritius. Note: foreign visitors may stay up to 180 days in a calendar year on a visa-on-arrival tourist visa; for stays beyond 180 days, the Premium Visa should be applied for.
Can foreigners buy property in Mauritius?
Yes. Foreigners may buy residential property under the Integrated Resort Scheme (IRS), Real Estate Scheme (RES), Property Development Scheme (PDS) and Smart City Scheme, as well as apartments on the second floor and above. Purchasing qualifying property (e.g. from USD 375,000) can also lead directly to permanent residency. We can help you screen compliant projects and review purchase documents.
What happens when my 10-year permit expires?
You may apply for renewal under the official criteria: per EDB material, the company must meet the operating requirements (at 10-year renewal, annual turnover of MUR 8 million counting from year 5 after registration). Eligible holders may instead apply directly for the 20-year Permanent Residence Permit (PRP). We start reviewing your business figures and planning renewal/PRP about 12 months before expiry to avoid any gap in status.
Can my child stay and work in Mauritius after graduating there?
Yes. Foreign students who complete a bachelor's degree or higher at institutions recognised by the Higher Education Commission (TEC) may apply for the Young Professional Occupation Permit (YPOP) within 6 months of results publication — valid up to 3 years in fields including AI, biotechnology, fintech, robotics, financial services and IT; if the employer continues the employment after 3 years, the holder may switch to a standard Occupation Permit.
Tian Tang Meng Xi