If you are planning to move to Mauritius in 2025, this guide is for you.
The regulations surrounding visas, residence permits, and immigration criteria have been revised with the 2025-2026 budget.
In this article, I will outline the new conditions (2025) compared to the “old regime,” so you know exactly what is changing and what you need to prepare for.
Visa Guide 2025
1. Before/After the 2025-2026 budget: a comparison of the major changes
Here is a summary table showing the major changes between the old system and the new 2025 rules:
| Visa permit type/category | Before 2024-2025 | What’s new in 2025 (budget/reforms) |
|---|---|---|
| Self-employed / independent | Entrance fee of USD 35,000 | Ticket raised to USD 50,000 |
| Retired permit | Transfer of USD 1,500 per month | Transfer amount set at USD 2,000 per month, first transfer must take place within 60 days |
| Professional occupation permit | Minimum wage of Rs 30,000 per month | Two categories:
|
| Investor permit | 1 single “investor” category with a minimum threshold of USD 50,000 | Two options:
|
| Additional conditions (letters, local customers, CA) | Less strict depending on the case Example for self-employed permits: minimum of 2 letters of intent | Self-employed: now requires 3 letters of intent (including two from Mauritian clients), minimum turnover from the first year, cumulative obligations over five years, etc. |
| PRP/Permanent Residency Criteria | PRP available after 3 years of driving with a certain degree of stability | Higher minimum duration (5 years), higher income/turnover thresholds to qualify according to category (investor, professional, retiree)Après ce panorama, voyons en détail chaque type de visa / permis possible en 2025. |
2. Short- and medium-stay visas
2.1 Tourist visa / entry visa
Conditions that apply to citizens of the Eurozone:
- Free entry visa
- Valid passport with an expiration date beyond the planned length of stay
- Maximum 90 days on site, or 3 months (extendable once only)
- Possibility to stay for a maximum of 6 months per year as a tourist
- Return ticket required
- Hotel reservation or accommodation rental on site
- Local contact: name of the hotel or contact details of the Mauritian person hosting you
👉 Find the list visa Requirement Country-Wise like the countries requiring a visa prior arriving in Mauritius: here
2.2. The premium visa: for digital nomads
This is the easiest option (apart from the tourist visa, of course).
Some people can start with this visa for an expatriation project and then switch to another visa (self-employed or investor).
- Visa valid for 1 year and renewable
- Free visa
- No work on the Mauritian market
- Minimum income of USD 1,500 per month per adult and USD 500 per child (dependent on you) from outside Mauritius
→ For a family of 2 adults and 3 children, you will need to prove a minimum income of USD 4,500 per month - Health insurance covering the entire duration of the stay
- Return ticket required
⚠️ Please note: it appears that premium visa renewals are no longer available. However, for a first-time application, this option still seems to be available if you meet the conditions. On the other hand, you will need to plan ahead and apply for another visa when it comes time to renew.
3. Residence/work permit: Occupation Permit & its variants
The Occupation Permit (OP) is a combined “work + residence” permit. It is now available in the following categories:
- investor,
- professional or employee,
- independent or self-employed.
3.1 Investor Permit (Investor OP)
Two options available (since 2025):
- USD 50,000 initial investment, minimum turnover of Rs 1,500,000 in the first year (around 28,000€) to reach a cumulative turnover of MUR 20 million by the fifth year of registration (376,000€).
- USD 100,000 initial investment, turnover of Rs 1,000,000 in the first year (18,800€), cumulative Rs 15,000,000 over 5 years (282,000€).
- Validity: 10 years, renewable
- For renewal: minimum annual turnover of Rs 5 million from the sixth year of registration (94,000€).
- Before: Target of RS 4 million in turnover (75,000€) to be achieved from the third year of registration.
- Possibility of hiring employees.
- Complete business plan to be provided
- Mandatory preliminary medical tests
3.2 Employee/Professional Permit (Professional OP)
My first permit when I arrived was an occupation permit professional.
Two new categories:
- Pro Pass: minimum salary requirement of Rs 30,000/month (565€).
- Expert Pass: minimum salary of Rs 250,000/month for highly specialized or management positions (4,700€).
- The permit allows you to work in a Mauritian company with a local contract.
- Be employed by an international or Mauritian company under an employment contract
- Permit valid for a maximum of 10 years depending on the duration of the employment contract
- Permit renewal possible
- Visa fee: USD 1,000 for a maximum duration of 10 years
- Application submitted by the employer
- Preliminary medical tests required
→ Permit linked to the company: if you change employers, you will need a new permit!
My advice: negotiate with your employer to have them cover the cost of your permit (up to USD 1,000).
3.4 Self-employed work permit: for sole traders, freelancers, and independent
This is my current permit.
- Minimum investment of USD 50,000 instead of the previous USD 35,000.
- Permit valid for a maximum of 10 years, renewable.
- Visa fee: USD 1,000.
- A minimum turnover of MUR 750,000 (15,000€) will be required from the first year of registration, with gradual growth to reach a cumulative turnover of MUR 6 million by the fifth year of registration (113,000€).
- Initially, the targets were to achieve RS 800,000 in turnover from the third year of registration (15,000€).
- Visa for self-employed workers: no hiring possible except for one assistant
- 3 letters of intent from potential clients (including 2 local ones), whereas previously 2 letters were required
- Complete business plan to be provided
- Mandatory preliminary medical tests
3.5 Retired residence permit
- Minimum age: 50
- Initial transfer: USD 2,000 to a local bank within 60 days of obtaining the permit
- Continuous monthly transfer: USD 2,000/month (i.e., USD 24,000/year)
- Prohibition on engaging in paid or commercial activities in Mauritius
- Permit duration: 10 years, renewable
- Visa fee: USD 1,000
- No criminal record
- Mandatory preliminary medical tests
3.6 Permanent Residence Permit (PRP)
The PRP is the long-term status for living freely in Mauritius. Here is what we know:
Duration: 20 years, renewable according to the official EDB / Work & Live website.
Conditions:
- Hold a valid OP or permit for several years (often 5 years) and meet income and turnover requirements depending on the category (investor, professional, retiree)
- For example: for professionals: high salary over several years; for investors: high minimum turnover and business stability.
- For retirees: accumulate significant USD transfers over several years.
The PRP is the “long-term stability” solution: no need to renew every 10 years, no more separate work permit requirements.
4. Dependent permits
- For all permits except tourist visas, you can add your spouse and children to your residence permit for a period not exceeding that of the holder of an Occupation or Resident Permit.
- Visa fee: USD 400 per dependent
- Note for children:
children of the couple,
children from another marriage, or
legally adopted children,
under the age of 24 - Note for spouses:
married spouse
civil union partner
common-law spouse
5. Procedures, steps, and platforms
All permit applications (Occupation Permit, Investor, Self-employed, Retired, etc.) go through the platform.NELS (National Electronic Licensing System) managed by the EDB / Mauritian government.
The steps include: preparing your application, completing the online form, paying the statutory fees, providing financial evidence, a business plan, letters of intent, proof of income, etc.
Timeframe: depending on the category, it can take several weeks or even a few months if additional information is required.
Always check for updates on the official website residency.mu and EDB Work & Live.
6. FAQs & practical advice
Q: Can I apply for a visa/permit on my own?
Yes, but the rules have become very strict. I strongly recommend using a specialized professional such as Smart Traveler, which offers a support service for visa applications and all administrative procedures.
Get 5% off all their services with my promo code SMART-FPTM.
Q: What happens if I don’t meet my income/turnover targets?
The permit may not be renewed or may be revoked if the obligations are not met. This is one more reason to be rigorous in your forecasting.
Q: Can I switch from a premium visa to a local work permit?
In some cases, yes, if you meet the requirements for an OP or another residence permit. However, this may require a new application. In any case, you will need to plan ahead before your first visa expires.
Q: Which permit category should I choose based on my profile?
- If you arrive with a job already secured: OP Professional (Pro Pass/Expert Pass)
- If you are an entrepreneur or freelancer: OP Self-employed
- If you want to invest, start a business, and hire employees: OP Investor
- If you are retired: Retired Non-Citizen Permit
Would you like assistance with your expatriation project in Mauritius?
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My services to help you with your expatriation to Mauritius
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Each journey is unique – that’s why I offer several personalised services to help you move forward more serenely:
- Coaching expatriation
Help with administrative formalities (visa/permit in Mauritius, I can help you review your entire permit application to maximize your chances of success)
👉 Latest client permit processed by my services: OP self-employed obtained in 3 months (application submitted on July 17, 2025 – permit obtained on September 25, 2025)One-day personalised tour
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8. Conclusion
Mauritius remains a very attractive destination for expatriates: quality of life, stability, attractive tax regime, etc.
However, since 2025, the conditions for obtaining visas and residence permits have become stricter: higher investment and income thresholds, stricter business growth requirements, and possible reductions in permit duration in certain cases.
➡️ If you are considering moving to Mauritius, start preparing your application, business plan, and financial evidence carefully today.
➡️ Don’t forget to anticipate the new conditions announced in the 2025-2026 budget before they come into effect.
➡️ Finally, seek the assistance of a professional or Smart Traveller: a mistake or omission could compromise your entire application (5% discount with my promo code SMART-FPTM).
I hope my site helps you with your project.
If you found it useful and would like to support me, you can buy me a coffee.
Thank you 🤍
