Mauritius Occupation Permits 2025: New Rules for Foreign Investors and Professionals

The Finance Act 2025 rewrites the Mauritius occupation permit framework from scratch. Any guide written before August 2025 is working from superseded rules. If you are a foreign investor, professional, or self-employed person planning to work in Mauritius, the changes are substantial.

The new system introduces two investor tiers with different capital and turnover requirements, a “ProPass” for standard professionals, an “Expert Pass” for high earners, a new “young professional” category, and a full restructuring of the application process through a centralised Joint Committee. Permits now run for up to 10 years.

The new framework is covered below. For the self-employed permit specifically, see the dedicated article. For the broader business and investment guide, start there.

The new permit categories at a glance

The Finance Act 2025 replaces the First Schedule of the Economic Development Board Act with a completely revised set of criteria. Here’s how the categories now break down:

Investor permits: the two-tier system

Tier 1: USD 50,000 investor

The lower-tier investor permit requires an initial investment of USD 50,000 (~GBP 40,000). You need to provide a certified bank statement from your country of origin showing sufficient funds, plus a written undertaking to transfer USD 50,000 into your Mauritius bank account within 60 days of the permit being issued.

The turnover milestones are progressive:

• Year 1: Minimum Rs 1.5 million (~GBP 25,500) turnover
• By year 5: Cumulative turnover of Rs 20 million (~GBP 340,000)
• From year 6 (renewal): Minimum annual turnover of Rs 5 million (~GBP 85,000)

Tier 2: USD 100,000 investor

The higher-tier requires USD 100,000 (~GBP 80,000) initial investment with the same bank statement and transfer undertaking requirements. The turnover milestones are actually slightly lower:

• Year 1: Minimum Rs 1 million (~GBP 17,000) turnover
• By year 5: Cumulative turnover of Rs 15 million (~GBP 255,000)
• From year 6 (renewal): Minimum annual turnover of Rs 5 million (~GBP 85,000)

The trade-off is clear: more capital upfront, slightly more relaxed revenue expectations in the early years. In practice, most small business owners will go with Tier 1 unless they’re capitalising a larger operation. For how to actually set up the company, see the incorporation guide.

Innovative start-ups: the no-capital route

This is new. The Finance Act 2025 creates a specific occupation permit category for innovative start-ups with no minimum capital requirement. You qualify by either submitting an innovative project to the EDB, or by registering with an incubator accredited by the Mauritius Research and Innovation Council.

Renewal conditions are at the discretion of the Chief Executive Officer of the EDB – there are no fixed statutory thresholds. This gives the EDB flexibility but also means start-up founders will need to demonstrate progress.

Professional permits: ProPass and Expert Pass

ProPass (Professional Pass)

The standard professional permit – now branded “ProPass” – requires a minimum monthly basic salary of Rs 30,000 (~GBP 510 / ~USD 650). This is the employer-sponsored route for foreign professionals taking up employment in Mauritius.

The permit is valid for the period specified in the employment contract or 10 years, whichever is lesser. So a 3-year contract means a 3-year permit, but you won’t get more than 10 years even with a longer-term arrangement.

For the kinds of roles available, see the guide to expat jobs in Mauritius.

Expert Pass

The Expert Pass targets senior professionals with a minimum monthly basic salary of Rs 250,000 (~GBP 4,250 / ~USD 5,400). Same validity rules as the ProPass – contract period or 10 years, whichever is lesser.

Can professionals invest on the side?

Yes, and this is a notable provision in the Finance Act 2025. A non-citizen professional can invest in any business in Mauritius, provided they are not employed in that business and don’t draw a salary from it. They can also hold shares in the company where they are employed – but must not be a majority shareholder.

In practice, this means a professional on a ProPass or Expert Pass can own shares in a local start-up, invest in property (subject to the usual property purchase rules), or hold a minority stake in their employer’s company.

Young professional: the graduate route

The Finance Act 2025 creates a new permit category for young professionals. To qualify, you need to have completed either:

• An undergraduate degree at a local tertiary education institution recognised by the Higher Education Commission; or
• An internationally recognised professional certification (equivalent to at least an undergraduate degree) dispensed by a registered institution in Mauritius

The permit is valid for the contract period or 3 years, whichever is lesser. This is aimed at retaining foreign graduates who study in Mauritius – giving them a pathway to stay and work rather than requiring them to leave and reapply through standard channels.

The new application process

All occupation permit applications now follow the same process, centralised through NELS. For the document checklist and submission workflow, use the step-by-step occupation permit application guide.

1. Application via NELS: The applicant (or employer, for professionals) submits through the National Electronic Licensing System with the prescribed fee
2. Verification: EDB and Passport & Immigration Office check completeness
3. Joint Committee review: Complete applications go to the new Joint Committee (Ministry + PIO + EDB) for assessment and recommendation
4. Ministry approval: The Ministry makes the final decision based on the Committee’s recommendation
5. Approval in principle: Issued through NELS. You then present original documents
6. Permit issuance: Issued by the Director-General of Immigration, subject to conditions and fee payment

For investor applications, each shareholder who is also a director must apply separately. The investment criteria apply to each applicant individually – not collectively. This is a point to watch if you’re setting up a company with multiple foreign shareholders who all want permits.

Key changes from the old system

• 10-year validity: Up from the previous 3-year standard for investors. This is the headline change
• Two investor tiers: Previously there was a single threshold. Now you choose your entry point
• Progressive turnover milestones: Instead of a single turnover figure, there’s a year-by-year escalation
• NELS processing: Replaces the fragmented application process across multiple agencies
• Joint Committee: Applications are assessed collectively rather than bouncing between agencies
• Young professional category: Entirely new – no equivalent existed before
• Investment rights for professionals: Now explicitly permitted (with restrictions)
• Spouse permits: The spouse of an occupation permit holder can now apply for their own occupation permit

What this means for your planning

The 10-year permit validity is the most notable practical change. It removes the 3-year renewal cycle that created uncertainty for investors and forced periodic re-justification of your business. With a 10-year permit, you can make long-term commitments – lease property, hire staff, invest in equipment – with genuine confidence in your residency status.

The progressive turnover milestones are worth taking seriously. Rs 1.5 million (about GBP 25,500) in year 1 is achievable for most service businesses, but the escalation to Rs 20 million cumulative by year 5 means you need a real business, not a shell. Plan your revenue trajectory before committing to a tier.

For tax implications of these permits, read the expat tax guide. And for the broader Mauritius tax framework, see the tax guide page.

Disclaimer: This article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, immigration, or financial advice. The Finance Act 2025 provisions are subject to further regulation and official interpretation. Always verify the latest requirements through the Economic Development Board and consult a qualified immigration professional before making decisions. Information current as of August 2025.