Moving to Mauritius in 2026: The Complete Step-by-Step Guide

March 25, 2026

Mauritius in 2026: you can settle there permanently, provided you follow the right path.

This guide directly addresses the search intent “Moving to Mauritius in 2026: The Complete Step-by-Step Guide”" : to understand which visa/permit to choose, what documents to prepare, how to find accommodation, And What to anticipate regarding taxation and installation (bank, school, driving, etc.).

Our goal: to give you a clear and practical method (without unnecessary jargon), and guide you towards official sources to check the final details at the time of your departure.

The success of an expatriation to Mauritius hinges primarily on three points: (

choose the appropriate status (Premium Visa, Occupation Permit, Residence Permit…), (

prepare a "clean" file (translations, supporting documents, consistency of names), (

secure accommodation + bank + insurance before arrival

Step 1 — Clarify your project (profile) and choose the right legal path

Before taking any action, classify your situation into one of these scenarios (this determines everything: documents, deadlines, taxes, right to work, etc.):

Employee recruited in Mauritius (local contract) → most often Occupation Permit “Professional”.
Entrepreneur / investor (creation/acquisition of a stake) → Occupation Permit “Investor”.
Independent (one-person business) → Occupation Permit “Self-Employed”.
Remote work (income earned outside Mauritius), long stay → often Premium Visa (up to 1 year, renewable).
Retirement → Residence Permit “Retired non-citizen” (financial conditions + age).
Real estate project → specific rules (schemes, PMO/EDB authorizations, thresholds).

Comparison of the most commonly used visas and permits in Mauritius for 2026

Status	Duration (indicative)	For whom	Key conditions (official examples)	Authorities / Useful Links
Tourist Visa	Variable, up to 6 months per calendar year (on a case-by-case basis)	Discovery, scouting, visits	Extensions are possible, but be careful not to exceed the limit.	Passport & Immigration Office – Visa Requirements (passport.govmu.org)
Business visa	120 days/year max (each stay ≤ 90 days)	Prospecting, business meetings	Without local remuneration	Visa Requirements (official) (passport.govmu.org)
Premium Visa	> 6 months until 1 year, renewable	Remote work / long stay (with family possible)	Proof of a stay plan, travel/health insurance, sufficient funds; specific "remittance-based" taxation in certain cases	MRA – Premium Visa FAQs (mra.mu)
Occupation Permit – Professional	Until 3 years (as per contract), renewable	Employees on local contracts	Minimum monthly base salary. WALL 60,000 (Or WALL 30,000 (in certain sectors)	OP/RP Guidelines (PDF) (passport.govmu.org)
Occupation Permit – Investor	Until 10 years, renewable	Creation/acquisition of a stake (business in Mauritius)	Example: “normal” option: initial transfer USD 50,000 ; renewal: min. WALL 4M/year of gross income from the 3rd year	OP/RP Guidelines (PDF) (passport.govmu.org)
Occupation Permit – Self-Employed	Until 10 years, renewable	Self-employed (service activity, 1 person)	Initial transfer USD 35,000 ; renewal: activity generating MUR 800,000/year from the 3rd year	OP/RP Guidelines (PDF) (passport.govmu.org)
Residence Permit – Retired non-citizen	Specific (conditions + renewal)	Retirement (often 50+)	Ex. proof of at least USD 18,000 Or USD 1,500/month (according to legal criteria)	EDB Act (PDF) (mof.govmu.org)
Permanent Residence Permit (PRP)	20 years (subject to eligibility)	Long-term stabilization	Example: “Professional”: base salary WALL 150,000 over 3 years; “Retired”: aggregate transfers USD 54,000 over 3 years	OP/RP Guidelines (PDF) (passport.govmu.org)

Note : These elements are useful official guidelines, but the authorities may request additional documents and practices may change. Always check the version in effect at the time of filing.

Step 2 — Prepare your file (documents, consistency, translations)

In Mauritius, a large part of the refusals/delays come from “administrative” details: different names between passport and birth certificate, untranslated documents, inconsistent dates, non-compliant insurance, etc.

The core set of documents (almost always requested)

Passport (identity page + entry/exit pages if already on site).
Birth certificate (often required; if it is not in French/English, provide a certified translation).
Marriage certificate / divorce if applicable (same language/translation rules).
Insurance (travel/health depending on status).
Financial documentation (bank statements, certificates, etc.).
Depending on the case CV, diplomas, employment contract, business plan, proof of transfers, sector licenses/approvals.

A tip to avoid 80% blockages

Before submitting, conduct a “consistency audit”:

THE names/surnames are identical everywhere (passport vs. documents).
THE dates (birth, marriage) are in the same format and without contradiction.
Documents “outside FR/EN” have a sworn translation.
You have a version clear PDF (legible scan, no blurry photo).

Step 3 — Submit the application and manage entry into the territory (without becoming undocumented)

Crucial point: some procedures involve a Approval in Principle (approval in principle). But this approval is not an entry visa : you must have the good travel document/visa to enter, then finalize the procedures (medical, etc.).passport.govmu.org)

Entering Mauritius: what you need to know in 2026

Check the entry requirements and visa types: Passport & Immigration Office. (passport.govmu.org)
Authorities (and airlines) may request the “All-in-One Travel Digital Form” in advance: the US administration recommends completing it. at most 72 hours before the trip.adoption.state.gov)
Good to know: Visas and extensions of stay are indicated as free of charge. on the official visa page.passport.govmu.org)

Premium Visa: how it works (useful for remote workers)

Officially, the Premium Visa allows a non-citizen to stay in Mauritius more than 6 months until 1 year, with the option of renewal, upon recommendation of the Economic Development Board (EDB) and issuance by the passport officer. (mra.mu)

Regarding taxation, the MRA specifies that holders are taxable. according to the amounts remitted in Mauritius in certain situations (and that spending via foreign card is not considered a “remittance”), and that the CSG is not applicable to Premium Visa.mra.mu)

Step 4 — Accommodation: renting first (often), buying later (if relevant)

In most successful expatriations, one starts by 1 to 3 months rental (or secure long-term rental) to validate: living area, travel time, schools, services, neighborhood.

Examples of housing budgets (order of magnitude, Port-Louis)

For a numerical base (to be adapted according to your region: North, West, Central, East), Numbeo displays in Port Louis (update) March 24, 2026) :

T1 (1 bedroom) city center : average ~ 22,633 MUR/month (range 10,000 to 29,600).
T1 outside the city center : ~ 13,000 MUR/month (range 6,000 to 22,000).
Transportation : ticket ~ 44 MUR; monthly pass indicated at 1,000 MUR (range 0 to 3,000).

Method : This is contributory data (practical for calibration), to be supplemented by actual quotes and visits.numbeo.com)

Buying property: key rules for non-citizens (to know before signing)

In Mauritius, the acquisition of property by a non-citizen is regulated. In practice:

The general framework (authorizations, forms, documents) depends on the Non-Citizens (Property Restriction) Act and circuits PMO / EDB. The “Defence and Home Affairs” division reminds non-citizens that they must complete a written request to the Prime Minister's Office In several cases, a purchase in violation of the law may result in repossession/sale by the Curator of Vacant Estates.dha.govmu.org)
The official website indicates a Processing time of approximately 3 months (after a complete application) for certain PMO requests.dha.govmu.org)
For “G+2” condominium apartments, the migration.govmu.org portal indicates an opening (2016 amendment) with prior agreement from the EDB, if the price is not no less than 6 million (or equivalent in convertible currency).migration.govmu.org)

A major change to anticipate if you buy "outside the schemes": The 2023–2024 Budget Annex mentions that a non-citizen resident could acquire (upon request) an out-of-scheme property starting from a minimum (formerly USD 350,000) and that this minimum had to be increased to USD 500,000, with Additional registration duty of 10% (as part of the announced measures).mra.mu)

Step 5 — Practical setup: banking, mobile, driving, health, schooling

Banking: keep it simple (at first)

Plan a proof of address (rental agreement, certificate) and proof of income.
Keep a “pivot” bank in your home country for international transfers.
Organize a “plan B”: multi-currency account, international card, etc., while everything is being set up.

Telephone & internet

A local SIM card and a stable connection are essential, especially if you work remotely. Numbeo (Port Louis, March 2026) provides an order of magnitude for broadband internet (~60 Mbps) around 1,458 MUR/month (range 1,000 to 2,000).numbeo.com)

Conduct

Depending on your situation, you may be able to drive with a foreign license for a period of time, then consider converting or obtaining a local license. As the rules can vary depending on nationality and status, check upon arrival through official channels and/or with assistance.

Schooling (families)

If you are aiming for an international school, plan ahead: places, registration deadlines, and travel times can quickly become the number one factor in choosing a neighborhood. As a helpful guideline, Numbeo displays an “International Primary School – annual tuition” in Port Louis (March 2026) with an average and a range (contributory data), useful for setting a budget before obtaining a quote.numbeo.com)

Step 6 — Taxation & charges in 2026: what to anticipate (without approximations)

Warning : This section is for informational purposes only (not tax advice). Have your situation (country of origin, tax treaties, income, structure) reviewed by a tax specialist.

1) Tax residence: the official criteria (days of presence)

The OECD (document “Tax residency – Mauritius”) reminds us that the Mauritian fiscal year runs from July 1st to June 30th, and that an individual is automatically a tax resident if he/she passes 183 days or more on the fiscal year, or 270 days or more on the current fiscal year and the two preceding fiscal years (among other criteria).oecd.org)

2) Income tax: tax brackets (reform from July 1, 2025)

The MRA indicates new effective rates and income brackets from July 1, 2025 : 0% on the first 500,000 WALLS of taxable income, then 10% on the 500,000 following walls, And 20% about the rest. (mra.mu)

The same publication mentions a Fair Share Contribution for high incomes (annual threshold mentioned in WALL 12 million), collected via PAYE over a planned period (until June 30, 2028).mra.mu)

3) VAT (VAT): standard rate

The Mauritius Revenue Authority reminds taxpayers that the standard VAT rate is 15%. (mra.mu)

4) CSG (General Social Contribution): useful benchmarks

The MRA press release (September 22, 2020) indicates CSG rates (e.g., private sector employees: 1.5% employee + 3% employer if base salary ≤ 50,000 MUR/month; 3% + 6% above that).mra.mu)

Important: the MRA also specifies that the CSG is not applicable to holders of Premium Visa. (mra.mu)

5) Inflation: maintain a budgetary safety margin

To avoid overly tight budgets, keep an eye on local inflation. For example, Statistics Mauritius reports a "headline" inflation rate of 2,9% over the 12 months ending in June 2025 (compared to 4.5% for the period ending in June 2024).statsmauritius.govmu.org)

Step 7 — Start a business in Mauritius (if you are an entrepreneur)

If your project is entrepreneurial, you need to synchronize 3 areas:

Permit (e.g., Occupation Permit Investor/Self-Employed): financial criteria and performance must be met for renewal.passport.govmu.org)
Structure (Company, service activity, sector-specific licenses): Some activities require professional authorizations/authorizations.passport.govmu.org)
Bank + proof : initial transfers, supporting documents and traceability (essential for a solid case).

Concrete example: an entrepreneur targeting an “Investor” OP must anticipate the initial transfer USD 50,000 (normal option) and the income trajectory to remain compliant for renewal (e.g., minimum gross income requirement from the 3rd year onwards).passport.govmu.org)

Summary checklist (step by step)

Define your target status : Premium Visa / OP Professional / OP Investor / OP Self-Employed / RP Retired.
Budget : housing (area), health/insurance, transport, school, inflation margin.
Prepare the documents passport, documents, translations, insurance, finances, CV/diplomas/contract or business plan.
Manage the entry : appropriate visa/entry permit (the AIP is not a visa) and travel form if required.
Securing a home (starting location) + proof of address.
Establish the “base” SIM card, bank, insurance, school fees (if family).
Taxation : understand tax residence (days), PAYE if employed, Premium Visa logic if applicable.
Long term renewals, compliance (revenue/turnover), and trajectory towards PRP if objective.

FAQ — Moving to Mauritius in 2026

Is it possible to live in Mauritius for a year while working remotely in 2026?

Yes, that is precisely one of the use cases of Premium Visa, which allows you to stay in Mauritius for more than 6 months up to 1 year with the option to renew. You must demonstrate a stay plan, travel/health insurance, and sufficient funds. Regarding taxation, the MRA indicates that the treatment depends in particular on the amounts "remitted" in Mauritius (and certain expenses via foreign card are not considered remittance), and specifies that the CSG (General Social Contribution) is not applicable to Premium Visa holders.mra.mu)

What salary is required for a “Professional” Occupation Permit in 2026?

Official guidelines state that a “Professional” must receive a basic monthly salary of at least WALL 60,000. There is a lower threshold (WALL 30,000) cited for certain sectors (ICT, BPO, pharmaceutical manufacturing and food processing). The “Professional” permit is generally issued for a maximum period of 3 years depending on the contract, then renewable. In practice, the application is submitted by the employer and must include the contract, job description, etc.passport.govmu.org)

What are the minimum requirements for an “Investor” Occupation Permit?

The official guidelines present several options. The "normal" option is... initial transfer of USD 50,000 (or equivalent in convertible currency) to the company's bank account is specified. Other options exist (e.g., net asset value/historical turnover, or partial investment in high-tech machinery/equipment). For renewal, it is stated that the company must reach a minimum gross revenue (e.g. MUR 4 million per year (from the 3rd year of registration).passport.govmu.org)

Can a non-citizen buy an apartment in Mauritius?

Yes, but the purchase is regulated. For example, the official “Migration Portal” indicates that the law has been amended to allow foreigners to buy condominiums of the type G+2 (at least two levels above the ground floor) with prior agreement from the EDB, provided that the price is not less than WALL 6 million (or equivalent in convertible currency). For other acquisition scenarios, PMO authorization is often required under the Non-Citizens (Property Restriction) Act, with specific forms and supporting documents to be provided.migration.govmu.org)

And now ?

If you want to secure your expatriation (choice of status, application, housing/school/banking strategy, or real estate project), Expat Mauritius can support you with local expertise and personalized follow-up, from Azuri Village. You can also consult our useful resources: expatriation guides and our offer turnkey expatriation & real estate. We offer a free evaluation and you can contact us via phone, WhatsApp, email or online form on the website.