Occupation Permit Mauritius: The Complete Official Guide (2025)
By Vyas Adheen Law Office | Immigration Law Mauritius
“Imagine waking up to the Indian Ocean outside your window, a 15-minute commute that doesn’t exist, and a government that actually wants you to move here — that’s not a fantasy, that’s an Occupation Permit.”
Planning to live and work in Mauritius as a foreign national? The Occupation Permit (OP) is your gateway. Issued jointly by the Economic Development Board (EDB) and the Passport and Immigration Office (PIO), it is a single, combined work and residence permit — meaning you do not need to apply for these separately.
This guide is based directly on the official EDB Occupation Permit Guidelines and covers every category, every checklist, every fee, and every step of the application process. Bookmark it before you apply.
What Is an Occupation Permit?
The Occupation Permit is a combined work and residence permit that allows foreign nationals to work and reside in Mauritius. It is available under three categories:
- Investor
- Professional
- Self-Employed
You apply under whichever category best reflects the nature of your activities in Mauritius. Getting this choice right from the outset is critical — applying under the wrong category is one of the most common reasons applications are rejected or delayed.
Category 1: Occupation Permit – Investor
Who Is an Investor?
Under the Immigration Act 2022, an Investor is defined as:
- A non-citizen registered with the Economic Development Board; or
- An association or body of persons (corporate or unincorporate) whose control or management is vested in non-citizens of Mauritius, and registered as such with the EDB.
Where the investor is a company, an OP application must be made for each shareholder who is also a director, and the required criteria apply to each applicant individually.
The Three Investor Options
Option 1 – Investor (USD 50,000)
- Minimum initial investment of USD 50,000 (or equivalent in freely convertible foreign currency)
- You must submit a certified bank statement from your bank account in your country of origin showing sufficient proof of funds
- You must sign a written undertaking to transfer USD 50,000 from abroad into your Mauritian bank account within 60 days of OP issuance
Turnover requirements:
- Minimum turnover of MUR 1.5 million from Year 1
- Progressive growth to a cumulative turnover of MUR 20 million by Year 5
- Renewal (from Year 6 onwards): minimum annual turnover of MUR 5 million
Option 2 – Investor (USD 100,000)
- Minimum initial investment of USD 100,000 (or equivalent in freely convertible foreign currency)
- Certified bank statement from your country of origin showing sufficient proof of funds
- Written undertaking to transfer USD 100,000 to your Mauritian bank account within 60 days of OP issuance
Turnover requirements:
- Minimum turnover of MUR 1 million from Year 1
- Progressive growth to a cumulative turnover of MUR 15 million by Year 5
- Renewal (from Year 6 onwards): minimum annual turnover of MUR 5 million
Option 3 – Investor for Innovative Start-Ups
No minimum investment requirement. To qualify, you must either:
- Submit an innovative project to the Economic Development Board; or
- Register with an incubator accredited with the Mauritius Research and Innovation Council
Renewal conditions are determined by the Chief Executive Officer of the EDB.
Duration
An Investor OP is issued for a maximum period of 10 years, renewable thereafter as per established criteria.
Investor Category – Document Checklist
New Application
Forms & Fees
- Signed Undertaking – Applicant
- Permit fee of USD 1,000
- Application fee of USD 50 (non-refundable)
Personal Documents
- Original Birth Certificate (if not in English or French, include a certified/sworn translated version)
- Medical Certificate and reports issued in Mauritius once approval in principle, less than six months old
- Passport biodata page
- Last entry visa pages (if already in Mauritius)
- Three recent colour passport-size digital photographs
Business / Work Documents
- Detailed Business Plan
- Evidence of fund transfer from abroad to a local bank account OR a recent certified bank statement from your country of origin showing sufficient proof of funds (not required for Innovative Start-Up option)
- Undertaking confirming funds will be transferred to Mauritius within 60 days of OP issuance
- Form of Charter for Foreign Residents in Mauritius
- Business Registration Card
- Certificate of Incorporation
- Appropriate licences/approval letters for regulated activities (GBL, TEL, HEC, AHPC, etc.)
- Register of Shareholders and Directors (or Trust Deed)
- Cancellation letter and No Objection Letter (if switching from another category)
- Form of Charter for Foreign Residents in Mauritius
Category 2: Occupation Permit – Professional
Who Is a Professional?
A Professional, as defined under the Immigration Act 2022, is a non-citizen who is employed in Mauritius under a contract of employment and registered as a professional with the EDB.
Two Tiers: ProPass and Expert Pass
| Tier | Monthly Basic Salary (Minimum) | Target Audience |
|---|---|---|
| ProPass (Professional Pass) | MUR 30,000 | Skilled workers, technicians, mid-level professionals |
| Expert Pass | MUR 250,000 | Senior executives, directors, highly specialised consultants |
Duration
A Professional OP is granted for the period specified in the contract of employment, or 10 years — whichever is lesser.
A Short-Term Occupation Permit is also available for a maximum period of 9 months, extendable once for up to 3 months (application must be made at least 15 days before expiry).
Application Procedures
- The application must be submitted by the employer. (Employer can contact our office to assist in submitting the application on the platform)
- The contract of employment — signed by both parties — must clearly state: the applicant’s full name as per birth certificate, company name, job title, job description, duration, and monthly basic salary
- If there is any discrepancy between the date of the signed contract and the date the OP is issued, the applicant must sign an Addendum to the Contract of Employment
- The employer must sign both Section 4 (Declaration) and Section 5 (Undertaking) of the application form
- The professional must be accompanied by the employer (a director or HR representative) on the appointment date
- For seconded professionals: the Mauritius employer must provide the inter-company agreement, and both companies must provide a letter confirming the job title, contract duration, and basic salary
Right to Invest as a Professional
- He/she is not employed in that business; and
- He/she does not derive any salary or employment benefits from that business
Professional Category – Document Checklist
New Application
Forms & Fees
- Undertaking Section 5 form – Employer
- Permit fee
- Application fee of USD 50 (non-refundable)
Personal Documents
- Original Birth Certificate (with certified translation if not in English or French)
- Medical Certificate and reports — issued in Mauritius, less than six months old
- Passport biodata page
- Last entry visa pages (if already in Mauritius)
- Three recent passport-size digital photographs
- Copy of current Occupation Permit / Work Permit / Residence Permit
- Curriculum Vitae
- Original academic and professional qualifications (or true certified copies in English or French)
Business / Work Documents
- Comprehensive brief on the company’s activities
- Business Registration Card
- Certificate of Incorporation
- Contract of employment and detailed job description
- Appropriate licences for regulated activities
- Register of Shareholders and Directors (or Trust Deed)
- Form of Charter for Foreign Residents in Mauritius
Switching Jobs
Changing Employer
If a Professional OP holder wishes to move to a different company, a fresh OP application must be submitted for the new employment. The new role must meet the established salary criteria.
Termination of Employment
- The employer must immediately notify the CEO of the EDB in writing
- The applicant will be deregistered with the EDB and the OP cancelled by the PIO
- The non-citizen must leave Mauritius within one month (or such period as the Director General of Immigration decides), unless searching for new employment
Category 3: Occupation Permit – Self-Employed
Who Is Self-Employed?
A Self-Employed permit holder is a non-citizen registered with the Registrar of Businesses under the Business Registration Act, or operating as a one-person company.
Criteria
- Initial investment of USD 50,000 (or equivalent in freely convertible foreign currency) — services sector only
- A certified bank statement from your country of origin showing proof of funds
- A written undertaking to transfer USD 50,000 into your Mauritian bank account within 60 days of OP issuance
- At least 3 letters of intent, including 2 from potential local clients
Income requirements:
- Minimum business income of MUR 750,000 from Year 1
- Progressive growth to a cumulative turnover of MUR 6 million by Year 5
- Renewal (from Year 6 onwards): minimum business income of MUR 1.5 million per year
Self-employed OP holders are permitted to employ one local administrative staff member.
Duration
A Self-Employed OP is issued for a maximum period of 10 years, renewable thereafter as per established criteria.
Self-Employed Category – Document Checklist
New Application
Forms & Fees
- Signed Undertaking
- Permit fee of USD 1,000
- Application fee of USD 50 (non-refundable)
Personal Documents
- Original Birth Certificate (with certified translation if not in English or French)
- Medical Certificate and reports — issued in Mauritius, less than six months old
- Passport biodata page
- Last entry visa pages
- Three recent passport-size digital photographs
- Curriculum Vitae
- Original academic and professional qualifications (or certified copies in English or French)
Business Documents
- Detailed Business Plan
- Evidence of fund transfer from abroad to a local bank account (USD 50,000) OR a recent certified bank statement from your country of origin showing sufficient proof of funds
- Undertaking confirming USD 50,000 will be transferred within 60 days of OP issuance
- Contracts and letters of intent from potential clients (3 letters, including 2 from local clients)
- Form of Charter for Foreign Residents in Mauritius
Residence Permit – Retired Non-Citizen
Foreign nationals aged 50 years and above who do not wish to work may apply for a Residence Permit as a Retired Non-Citizen.
Criteria
- Transfer an initial sum of at least USD 2,000 into a local Mauritius bank account within 60 days of permit issuance; and
- Thereafter, transfer either USD 24,000 annually or USD 2,000 per month
Right to Invest
- He/she is not employed in the business; and
- He/she does not derive any salary or employment benefits from it
Retired non-citizens wishing to take up employment may do so in specific sectors, but will need to apply for a Work Permit or OP as applicable.
Duration
The Retired Non-Citizen Residence Permit is issued for a maximum period of 10 years, renewable thereafter.
Retired Non-Citizen – Document Checklist
- Signed Undertaking – Applicant (Annex 3)
- Permit fee of USD 1,000
- Application fee of USD 50 (non-refundable)
- Original Birth Certificate (with translation if required)
- Medical Certificate and reports — less than six months old
- Passport biodata page
- Last entry visa pages
- Three recent passport-size photographs
- Certificate of Character/Police Clearance — covering the last 10 years, less than 6 months old
- Recent certified bank statement
- Undertaking confirming funds will be transferred within 60 days
- Form of Charter for Foreign Residents in Mauritius
Retired non-citizens must also provide information on other residences and tax residences in other jurisdictions. This is shared with the Mauritius Revenue Authority in line with the Common Reporting Standard (CRS).
Dependents
Who Qualifies as a Dependent?
Dependents of OP and RP holders may apply for a Residence Permit. Dependents include:
- Spouse (including common-law partner of the opposite sex)
- Parents
- Dependent children not over 24 years of age (including stepchildren and lawfully adopted children who are unmarried)
Dependents must not engage in any gainful activity. Applications for dependent Residence Permits are made to and determined by the Passport and Immigration Office.
Duration
The Residence Permit for a dependent cannot exceed the duration of the main holder’s permit.
Dependent – Document Checklist
- Signed Undertaking Applicant
- Application form to enter Mauritius
- Permit fee of USD 400 per dependent
- UID Form (duly filled)
- Original Birth Certificate (with translation if required)
- Marriage/Divorce Certificate or Certificate of Cohabitation (in English or French, or with certified translation)
- Medical Certificate with original test reports — less than six months old (children under 12 need only a medical certificate from a local practitioner)
- Passport biodata
- Tourist entry visa
- Four recent passport-size digital photographs (3.5cm × 4.5cm)
- For adopted children: document certifying adoption
- For stepchildren: certified letter of consent from biological parent
- Form of Charter for Foreign Residents in Mauritius
Dependents who wish to work must apply separately for a Work Permit or Occupation Permit as applicable.
The Application Process – Step by Step
Step 1 – Submit the Documents to Our Office
If you wish to retain our services for assistance in applying the said permit, send us all the required documents for us to upload the application on your behalf. The service fee and application fee is paid at this stage.
Step 2 – Acknowledgement
Upon successful submission, you receive an acknowledgement email.
Step 3 – Validation
The Occupation Permit Unit (OPU) and Passport and Immigration Office (PIO) validate your application. If documents are missing, we will be communicated with same.
Step 4 – Joint Committee Assessment
Once your file is complete, it is assessed by a Joint Committee comprising the EDB, the PIO, and chaired by the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO).
Step 5 – Approval in Principle (AIP)
Upon PMO approval, an Approval in Principle email is issued:
- New applications: AIP is valid for 90 days from the date of issue
Complete all remaining formalities within the AIP validity period.
Step 6 – Appointment
The OPU schedules an appointment for personal identification by the PIO and verification of all original documents by both the EDB and the PIO.
Step 7 – Permit Issued
On the appointment date, upon satisfactory presentation of all original documents and a valid visa, you are registered with the EDB and your OP/RP is issued by the PIO.
The Approval in Principle is not a visa to enter Mauritius. Ensure you have a valid travel document and return ticket. You must hold a valid visa at all times while your application is being processed. If your visa nears expiry during the process, apply for an extension at the PIO before it expires.
Need Help With Your Application?
The Occupation Permit process involves precise documentation, strict timelines, and eligibility criteria that vary significantly between categories. A single missing document, a wrong category selection, or a missed deadline can set your application back by months.
At Vyas Adheen Law Office, we guide individuals and businesses through every stage of the Occupation Permit process — from selecting the correct category and preparing a fully compliant application file, to liaising with the EDB and PIO on your behalf. Whether you are an investor, a skilled professional, a freelancer, or planning to retire in Mauritius, we are here to help you get it right the first time.
“Every client who has ever moved to Mauritius has said the same thing: I should have done this sooner.”
This guide is based on the official EDB Occupation Permit Guidelines and is provided for informational purposes only. Guidelines are subject to change without notice. Always consult a qualified immigration lawyer before applying.