In Mauritius, the correct license depends first on your business activity, then on your premises, and finally on your immigration status if you are a foreign national. The Trade Fee is only part of the process, as you often also need to register with the CBRD (Corporate Business Register), obtain sector-specific authorization, and then technical permits such as the Building and Land Use Permit or a fire safety license if the premises are open to the public. (business-support-portal.edbmauritius.org)
The safest approach is therefore to treat the opening as a chronological procedure, and not as a simple payment. The authorities consulted in 2026 also point out that the amounts and criteria vary according to local budgets and regulations, especially for regulated sectors.companies.govmu.org)
Key point: the registration certificate confirms your administrative basis, but it does not replace the sector-specific authorizations required for your activity.enterbusiness.govmu.org)
The concrete steps before opening
- Register your business with the CBRD or incorporate your company, depending on the structure chosen.companies.govmu.org)
- Check if your sector is classified, regulated, or subject to a specific operating license. (business-support-portal.edbmauritius.org)
- Secure the premises, building compliance, and safety permits before opening to the public. (business-support-portal.edbmauritius.org)
- If you are a non-citizen, have your work or investment status validated beforehand.passport.govmu.org)
Who should ask themselves this question before opening?
The Business Registration Act stipulates that any business activity carried out for profit or gain must be registered. However, some exceptions exist, for example, for certain tradespeople working from home without a business premises, as well as for religious, charitable, or educational organizations. The best approach is therefore to first check whether you fall within the scope of the CBRD, and then whether your sector requires an additional license.companies.govmu.org)
- Individual entrepreneurs who sell a product or service in Mauritius generally have to go through the CBRD.
- Companies, trading companies, limited partnerships and foundations have their own incorporation obligations and annual fees.
- Regulated activities must obtain further validation from the competent authority before commencing operations. (business-support-portal.edbmauritius.org)
If you're still hesitating between a sole proprietorship, a company, or a more technical structure, you can start by Starting a business in Mauritius: concrete steps to frame the first administrative step.
Step 1: Register the activity with the CBRD
The CBRD, which houses the Registrar of Companies and Businesses, is the starting point. It registers businesses and companies and also collects trade fees for local authorities. For a domestic company, the application can be submitted online or in person, including at a minimum the company name, registered office address, nature of business, start date, and contact information.
- For an individual activity, plan for the Business Registration Card, national identity card, Trade Fee or exemption certificate, and the Building and Land Use Permit or rent book if you operate a commercial or industrial premises.
- For a company, add the extract of the file, the identity documents of the partners, the financial statements if the structure already exists, and, for a file without a local resident, an investor's permit issued by the EDB.
- Depending on your activity, a declaration or registration with the MRA may also be required for VAT and TAN.govmu.org)
Key cost indicators to know
| Job | Official reference point 2026 | Key points to remember |
|---|---|---|
| Business Registration Card, individual | Rs 125 | The EnterBusiness portal still displays this price for individual registration. |
| Incorporation of a company | Rs 3,400 | This amount is listed in the official FAQ of the EnterBusiness portal. |
| Annual fees 2026 | Rs 500 at maturity for a small private company with a turnover of up to Rs 30 million, Rs 750 after maturity | The CBRD's 2026 scale depends on the structure and turnover. |
| Trade Fee | Exemption if the classified fee does not exceed Rs 5,000 | Beyond that, the amount depends on the trade classification and the official payment schedule.companies.govmu.org) |
If you want to delve deeper into the structures, the 2026 guide on setting up a company in Mauritius usefully complements this framing stage.companies.govmu.org)
Step 2: Check if your sector is regulated
The EDB Business Support portal reminds businesses that certain activities require clearance or an operating license from a specialized authority. Listed sectors include non-bank financial services, internet service providers, freeport activities, tourism, higher education, training centers, and pre-primary education. (business-support-portal.edbmauritius.org)
Table of authorizations according to your sector
| Sector | Main authorization | Competent authority | Useful documents or reference points |
|---|---|---|---|
| Traditional retail, shop, service provision with premises | CBRD registration, Trade Fee if the activity is classified, then Building and Land Use Permit if you occupy premises open to the public | CBRD, local authority, Registrar of Companies | Address of the premises, identity documents, lease or title deed, precise description of the activity. |
| Selling fruits, vegetables, and food on the road, in markets, or on the beach | Specific local authorization, with separate processing depending on the point of sale | Ministry of Local Government, Ministry of Tourism depending on point of sale | The CBRD reports that roadside or market sales fall under the Ministry of Local Government, and beach sales under the Ministry of Tourism. |
| Liquor, bar, restaurant with alcohol, wholesale or retail | Alcohol license or excise license as appropriate | MRA | The MRA issues separate licenses for sales and manufacturing, with online renewal in 2026 for some holders. For example, the fee schedule cited by the MRA indicates Rs 6,000 for wholesale and Rs 4,000 for certain retail formats.mra.mu) |
| Tourism, hotel, guesthouse, tourist residence, skipper, pleasure boat, restaurant or nightclub related to tourism | Tourist authorization or Tourist Accommodation Certificate depending on the activity | Tourism Authority | The official portal specifies that the Tourist Enterprise Licence for hotels, guesthouses and tourist residences has been replaced by the Tourist Accommodation Certificate.govmu.org) |
| Training center or training organization | Registration of Training Institution and, where applicable, accreditation | MQA | The application is done via the National Electronic Licensing System, with compliance and accreditation checks.mqa.govmu.org) |
| Transport, taxi, carrier, bus, road service, petrol service station | Transport license appropriate to the use of the vehicle or service | NTA | The Authority requires, depending on the case, an identity card, a birth certificate, a recent certificate of good character and, for certain licenses, a company file. The application for a carrier license also includes an application fee of Rs 300.nlta.govmu.org) |
| Entrepreneur or non-citizen employee | Occupation Permit, Residence Permit or Work Permit depending on status | EDB, PIO, Ministry of Labour | The PIO reminds that a tourist or business visa does not give the right to work, and that the employment of non-citizens is governed by a work permit or an Occupation Permit as the case may be. |
If you need a more general step-by-step guide on launching a business, The concrete steps to start a business in Mauritius This remains a useful supplement before submitting your applications. (business-support-portal.edbmauritius.org)
Step 3: Securing the premises, security, and technical authorizations
As soon as there is a physical building, planning permission and fire safety become concrete issues. The local authorities' portal explains that the Building and Land Use Permit is applied for via NELS and that some applications can be processed within a target timeframe of 14 working days when the file is complete. For high-risk installations, the Mauritius Fire and Rescue Service also provides for an inspection, followed by the issuance of a Fire Certificate if the site complies. (business-support-portal.edbmauritius.org)
- A Building and Land Use Permit is practically essential before opening a business in a location open to the public. (business-support-portal.edbmauritius.org)
- The Fire Certificate application typically requires plans, a certificate of incorporation or a Business Registration Card, and technical site information.mfrs.govmu.org)
- The MFRS indicates an inspection within 5 working days after receipt of a complete file, then issuance within 3 working days after payment if everything is in order. In case of deficiencies, an improvement notice is issued.mfrs.govmu.org)
- If you are importing controlled goods, the import permit must be applied for electronically via the Mauritius TradeLink System, and the first import also requires the correct local trading license.commerce.govmu.org)
Step 4: If you are a foreigner, plan ahead for the permit application.
The PIO reminds the public that the Occupation Permit is a combined work and residence permit for the Investor, Professional, and Self-Employed categories, while the Residence Permit for Employment includes both a residence permit and a work permit. The same service clarifies that a person who entered Mauritius on a tourist or business visa cannot take up employment in Mauritius.
The August 2026 EDB update further indicates revised criteria for several categories, with a minimum initial investment of USD 100,000 for the Investor Occupation Permit, a harmonized professional salary of MUR 50,000 per month, and revised income thresholds for the Self-Employed. As these criteria are subject to change, they should be verified on a case-by-case basis before submission.edbmauritius.org)
- For a company without a local resident, the CBRD page requires an investor's permit issued by the EDB.
- For a non-citizen employee, the employer must also pay a non-refundable annual fee of Rs 500 per non-citizen worker before the residence permit is issued.passport.govmu.org)
- If your case involves birth or marriage certificates, the Civil Status Office issues the civil status documents necessary for certain administrative procedures.csd.govmu.org)
What happens if it's forgotten or opened too early?
- For classified trades, the Local Government Act stipulates that an activity must not commence without the required authorization or payment of the prescribed fee.localgovernment.govmu.org)
- If the Trade Fee is not paid on time, the surcharge can reach 50 percent of the amount due.la.govmu.org)
- In the event of an open premises not complying with fire regulations, the MFRS issues an improvement notice until the situation is rectified.
- If you are working without the correct immigration status, the PIO reminds you that the activity is not authorized.
- If you run a training centre without registration or in irregular operation, the MQA also handles complaints related to illegal operation on training.
- If you import controlled goods without a permit, an import permit is mandatory from the first import.
FAQ: Licenses and permits in Mauritius
What licenses are required to start a business in Mauritius, depending on the sector?
The basic process is almost always the same: registration with the CBRD for the business activity, then sector-specific authorization if your profession is regulated. Beyond that, the requirements vary depending on the sector. Tourism is handled by the Tourism Authority, training by the MQA, transportation by the NTA, alcohol by the MRA, and certain building-related matters require a Building and Land Use Permit or a Fire Certificate. The best approach is therefore to start with your actual business activity, not just the legal structure. (business-support-portal.edbmauritius.org)
What permits are required to open a business in Mauritius and how do I know which ones apply to my business?
To open a business, you must first check if your activity is classified or regulated. The EDB's Business Support portal lists licensed sectors, and the CBRD page also lists activities that require approval from a competent authority. If your business sells food, alcohol, imported goods, or operates in premises open to the public, you will generally need at least one specific permit. Therefore, the best filter remains the exact nature of your offering and the location of your business. (business-support-portal.edbmauritius.org)
What is the average cost and time required to obtain a business license in Mauritius through the CBRD and the relevant authorities?
There isn't a single cost, as you often have to add up several items: the initial registration, annual fees, and then the sector-specific license(s). For reference, the EnterBusiness portal FAQ mentions Rs 125 for an individual and Rs 3,400 to incorporate a company, while the CBRD's 2026 fee schedule, for example, sets Rs 500 for a small private company with up to Rs 30 million in revenue, provided payment is made on time. Regarding processing times, logic is more reliable than a single figure: the BLUP (Business License Application) is presented with a target of 14 working days if the application is complete, and the Fire Certificate can follow in a few days if the site is compliant. Amounts and processing times are subject to change, so you should always verify the specific circumstances before paying.
Do you need to obtain a work permit or an Occupation Permit to open a business in Mauritius if you are a foreigner and what are the conditions?
Yes, and the right permit depends on your situation. The PIO explains that the Occupation Permit covers the Investor, Professional, and Self-Employed categories, while a regular job requires a residence permit and a work permit. A tourist or business visa is not sufficient for working. In August 2026, the EDB also published revised criteria, with more precise thresholds for investment, income, and professional salary. As these parameters change, it's best to check your profile before starting the application process.
And now ?
If your project involves a combination of infrastructure, premises, and industry-specific licenses, take the time to ensure the correct order of operations before signing anything. You can explore the process in more detail with [link to relevant documentation]. company structures authorized in Mauritius, reread Starting a business in Mauritius: concrete steps, then return to EXPAT MAURITIUS to define the roadmap before opening.
