Setting up a company in Mauritius requires the right legal structure. The choice between a Global Business Licence and an Authorized Company depends primarily on the place of management, the level of substance, and the tax objectives.fscmauritius.org)
The official framework distinguishes between a resident vehicle intended for use outside Mauritius and a company whose activities and management are located outside Mauritius. If your project is broader than simply setting up a business, the Expat Mauritius homepage And practical guides for expatriates can serve as an additional entry point. (fscmauritius.org)
Key points to remember: The GBL and the Authorized Company operate according to different principles. The former is based on a resident structure with substance in Mauritius; the latter aims for activities and principal control outside Mauritius. (fscmauritius.org)
GBL and Authorised Company: understanding the Mauritian framework
There FSC Global Business page and the Official FAQ from the Corporate and Business Registration Department These are the two most useful references to get started: the first describes the scheme, the second summarizes the difference between GBL and Authorised Company, as well as the application channel and indicative fees. (fscmauritius.org)
Quick comparison of the two systems
| Criteria | GBL | Authorized Company |
|---|---|---|
| Definition | Regime for a resident company intended to conduct its business outside Mauritius. (fscmauritius.org) | Regime for a company whose activities and control/management are primarily outside Mauritius. (fscmauritius.org) |
| Administration | Going through a Management Company, with a requirement for substance and local management to be anticipated. (fscmauritius.org) | Processing by a Registered Agent; the file must show control outside of Mauritius.companies.govmu.org) |
| Key parts | File submitted by the accredited professional, with the compliance elements requested by the FSC. (fscmauritius.org) | Cover letter, legal certificate, business plan, KYC of shareholders and beneficiaries, and information on directors. (fscmauritius.org) |
| Common uses | Financial services, fund management, insurance, investment dealing and related activities. (companies.govmu.org) | Investment holding, international trade, management and consultancy. (companies.govmu.org) |
| Indicative costs | The official FAQ mentions Rs 3,200 for the GBL, although the PDF sometimes still uses the older GBC terminology. (companies.govmu.org) | The official FAQ mentions USD 100 for an Authorised Company. (companies.govmu.org) |
Older documents may still use the terms GBC 1 and GBC 2, but they must be considered within the current framework. The MRA reminds us that the Category 2 Global Business Licence was abolished with effect from 1 January 2019.mra.mu)
When to choose between GBL and Authorised Company?
The GBL is generally better suited to entities that want a credible presence in Mauritius, genuine local substance, and, where relevant, access to tax treaties. The FSC indicates that a company holding a Category 1 Global Business Licence can apply for a Tax Residence Certificate to benefit from a treaty. (fscmauritius.org)
The Authorized Company is more suitable when the business activity, decision-making, and effective control remain primarily outside Mauritius. The official FAQ links it to uses such as holding companies, international trade, management, and consultancy. (companies.govmu.org)
If your business falls within a regulated sector, you must check for any additional authorizations before submitting your application. official rules for the creation and registration of activities They remind us that a Global Business may require prior FSC licensing depending on the nature of the project. (companies.govmu.org)
The steps to create the company
- Start by confirming the correct tax regime, as the logic differs depending on whether you are looking for a resident structure for international transactions or a vehicle managed outside of Mauritius. This step prevents you from creating an inconsistent application from the outset. (fscmauritius.org)
- Prepare a complete file with the compliance documents requested by the competent authority. For an Authorised Company, the FSC requires, in particular, a detailed business plan, information on beneficial owners, shareholders, directors and, in the case of conversion, the company's historical documents. (fscmauritius.org)
- Submit your application through a Management Company or a Registered Agent licensed by the FSC. The official FAQ specifies that applications for a GBL or Authorized Company must be channeled through this authorized professional. (companies.govmu.org)
- Next, submit the application through the appropriate administrative channel. The Registrar of Companies receives incorporation applications, while the FSC processes the authorization related to the chosen regime.companies.govmu.org)
- After approval, immediately organize the accounting, tax obligations, and substance. A Mauritian company should not be considered a mere mailbox, as compliance checks and reporting obligations remain very real. (fscmauritius.org)
For an Authorized Company, the Official FSC checklist is particularly useful. It requires a cover letter, a legal certificate attesting to compliance, a detailed business plan, confirmations regarding capital control, the nature of activities, and the management structure. (fscmauritius.org)
The parts you will be asked for most often
- A cover letter and a legal certificate confirming that the project complies with Mauritian law. (fscmauritius.org)
- A clear business plan, including target market, sector, investment amount, and source of funding. (fscmauritius.org)
- KYC information on shareholders, beneficial owners, and directors. (fscmauritius.org)
- Details regarding the financial year-end date, the shares issued, and, if applicable, the conversion documents for an existing company. (fscmauritius.org)
Taxation, substance and compliance obligations
From a tax perspective, a simple principle must be applied: Mauritius is not a “tax-free” country. MRA Corporate Taxation page It is worth noting that companies are subject to corporate income tax, with a standard rate of 15%, and that a partial exemption of 80% or 95% may apply to certain categories of income, subject to substance requirements. (mra.mu)
In practical terms, economic substance is not optional. The MRA specifies that, to benefit from the partial exemption, the company must conduct its core income-generating activities in Mauritius, employ an adequate number of qualified personnel, and incur a minimum expenditure proportionate to its activity. (mra.mu)
The FSC is going in the same direction. FSC note on the substance published in 2024 reminds holders that a Global Business Licence must, at all times, conduct their revenue-generating activities in or from Mauritius and remain managed, controlled, and administered from Mauritius. (fscmauritius.org)
- Activities must be real and documented, not merely self-reported. (fscmauritius.org)
- The company must have sufficient human resources to match its level of activity. (mra.mu)
- Expenditure must remain consistent with the nature of the activity being carried out. (mra.mu)
- Accounts, tax returns, and deadlines must be closely monitored after incorporation. (mra.mu)
After incorporation, the obligations don't end. The MRA indicates that companies must file their annual income tax return electronically, and that APS advance payments may apply depending on the company's turnover and situation. (mra.mu)
Tax treaties and certificate of residence
If your project aims for international structuring, the subject of the treaties is as important as the form of the company. MRA tax treaties page It indicates that Mauritius has concluded 45 double taxation agreements, with agreements in force, protocols and other texts under negotiation. (mra.mu)
In practice, the treaty advantage is most relevant for a well-structured GBL. The FSC clarifies that a Global Business Licence company can apply for a Tax Residence Certificate from the MRA to invoke a treaty, while the MRA also distinguishes between legacy regimes and applicable residence rules. (fscmauritius.org)
To go further, the official MRA note on international taxation It is also worth noting that the former Category 2 Global Business Licence has been abolished. This is a good reason to check the current framework rather than relying on outdated market articles. (mra.mu)
FAQ
What is the difference between a Global Business Licence and an Authorised Company in Mauritius?
A Global Business Licence applies to a resident company whose purpose is to conduct its business outside Mauritius, with administration through a Management Company and a stricter substance requirement. An Authorized Company, on the other hand, is designed for activities, control, and management primarily outside Mauritius, with a Registered Agent. The official CBRD FAQ also emphasizes the profile of directors and the location of effective control. (fscmauritius.org)
How to create a GBL or Authorised Company in Mauritius and what are the key steps?
The best approach is to first validate the tax regime, then compile a complete application including a business plan, KYC information, beneficial owners, and directors. Next, the application is submitted through a Management Company or a Registered Agent licensed by the FSC. The process then goes through the Registrar and the FSC, depending on the chosen structure. This approach avoids back-and-forth communication and rejections due to incomplete applications. (fscmauritius.org)
What are the administrative procedures for registering an Authorised Company with the Registrar of Companies in Mauritius?
The key is to present a coherent and complete application. The Registrar receives applications for incorporation, while the FSC requires, for an Authorized Company, a cover letter, a legal certificate, a detailed business plan, data on shareholders, beneficial owners, directors, and, if applicable, documents relating to the conversion of an existing company. In practice, the application is often prepared by a licensed professional before submission. (companies.govmu.org)
What economic substance and compliance obligations must be met by a GBL in Mauritius?
A Global Business Line (GBL) must have a verifiable economic reality. The FSC indicates that core income-generating activities must be carried out in or from Mauritius, while the MRA requires a proportionate minimum expenditure and an adequate number of qualified personnel for partial exemption. Proper accounting practices, adherence to filing deadlines, and compliance with electronic tax obligations are also required. In short, the structure must operate like a genuine company, not just an address. (fscmauritius.org)
What tax advantages and double taxation treaties are available with a GBL or an Authorised Company in Mauritius?
The main advantage of a Global Business Line (GBL) is the possibility of accessing tax treaties via a Tax Residence Certificate, when the conditions are met. The Mauritius Revenue Authority (MRA) indicates that Mauritius has concluded 45 double taxation treaties, and the corporate tax regime provides for a standard rate of 15% with a partial exemption of 80% or 95% on certain categories of income. For an Authorised Company, the tax advantage depends more on the specific circumstances, the actual residence, and the exact structure. (fscmauritius.org)
And now ?
If your project is already well-developed, the presentation of services can help you frame the next steps and prepare a coherent file for your company formation in Mauritius.
To complete your reading, you can also return to the website's legal notices in order to identify the legal framework of the site, then reread practical guides if you want to link company creation to other installation procedures.
