Tian Tang Meng Xi Retirement Permit
From age 50, a stable overseas income is enough for long-term residency — no property purchase, no company to run.
Exchange Overseas Income for Island Living
The Retirement Permit (Retired Non-Citizen Residence Permit) is aimed at applicants aged 50 or over with a stable overseas income: there is no need to buy property or invest in a business—you simply transfer a prescribed amount each year into your own Mauritian bank account to obtain long-term residence.
It is the most direct of the four options, with relatively simple documentation. It suits retirees or semi-retirees who want to live long term in a country with a pleasant climate, manageable living costs and well-developed healthcare and education, while keeping an overseas source of income.
The difference from Residence by Property is this: the property route turns your money into an asset, while the retirement route keeps it in your own account, requiring ongoing transfers. The two can be combined—many clients first arrive on a Retirement Permit and buy property once they have identified the right area.
Core Requirements
The following are the key points of the current EDB standards (as adjusted after the 2025/26 budget). Specific conditions may change with the budget; the official rules in force at the time of submission apply.
Age Requirement
The main applicant only needs to be 50 or over to apply; there are no nationality, language or education requirements. The spouse does not need to be 50 and may accompany as a dependant.
Financial Requirement
Transfer USD 24,000 each year into your own Mauritian bank account, or show a guaranteed income of USD 2,000 per month.
Permit Validity
Valid for 10 years and renewable on expiry. Transferred funds are your own assets, not a fee paid to the government.
Not Tied to an Asset
You do not need to buy property or register a company. You may choose where to live, and renting first and buying later are both possible.
What You Can Do Once Approved
- Long-term residence: you and your accompanying dependants may live in Mauritius long term and enter and leave freely.
- Open a local bank account: for receiving transferred funds and day-to-day transactions.
- Family can accompany: a spouse and dependent children may apply together; accompanying dependent parents require a letter of undertaking from the main applicant and case-by-case approval by the Immigration Office.
- Children's education: children can attend local international schools and follow the British-style education system.
- You may invest but not be employed: you may invest in local companies as a shareholder, but you may not take employment locally, receive a salary or take part in the management of that business. If you need to work locally, you must apply for the appropriate permit separately.
- A route to long-term residence: once you continue to meet the remittance requirement, you can apply for a 20-year long-term residence permit (subject to the latest EDB rules).
How to Apply
The overall timeline is usually 2–4 months. Unlike the Investor Visa, the Retirement Permit does not require a site visit to a project, so the process is lighter.
Consultation and Assessment
Confirm your age, income structure and accompanying dependants, and assess whether you meet the conditions.
Document Preparation
Translation and notarisation of your passport, police clearance, birth and marriage certificates, explanation of source of funds and other documents.
Submit the Application
Submit through the EDB electronic system and follow it through to approval in principle.
Bank Account and Medical Examination
Travel to Mauritius to open your bank account, complete the local medical examination and upload supplementary documents.
Collect the Permit
Pay the official government permit fee, and be accompanied through residence and fingerprint registration to collect the permit.
Arrival and Settling In
On-the-ground support for renting or buying, school enrolment, health insurance and daily life.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Retirement Permit
Do I need proof of retirement or a pension?
A pension is not required. You simply need to show a stable income or funds originating from overseas (a pension, rental income, dividends or savings all qualify) and provide bank evidence as required by the official rules.
Can I work in Mauritius?
You may not take employment. You may invest and become a shareholder, but you may not hold an office in that business or draw a salary. If you need to work locally, you must apply separately for a work permit or the relevant visa.
How many days a year must I spend in Mauritius?
The residence-day requirement has been adjusted in recent years. Please rely on the rules of EDB and the Immigration Office at the time you submit; we will state the current requirement clearly at the planning stage.
Can I bring my parents?
Parents may apply as dependent family members, which requires a letter of undertaking from the main applicant accepting financial and social responsibility for them, and case-by-case approval by the Immigration Office.
See Whether Your Income Structure Fits
Tell us your age, income sources and accompanying dependants, and we can give you a free preliminary assessment.