Updated on September 2026
Planning to move to Mauritius in 2026? This guide is for you.
The conditions surrounding visas, residence permits and immigration criteria have evolved with the 2026-2027 budget (Finance Act 2026, June 2026).
In this article, I detail the up-to-date conditions (2026) for each type of permit: amounts, turnover thresholds, salaries and processing times. For the full picture on what changed, read my Finance Act 2026 guide for expats.
Visa Guide 2025
1. Before/After the 2026-2027 budget: a comparison of the major changes
Here are the main changes introduced by the Finance Act 2026 (budget presented on 19 June 2026). Always verify the latest conditions on edbmauritius.org.
| Permit type / category | Before (2025) | What’s new in 2026 (Finance Act 2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Investor permit | 2 options: USD 50,000 or USD 100,000 | USD 50,000 option removed. Only threshold: USD 100,000. New turnover targets: Rs 5M from year 3, Rs 8M from year 5 for renewal |
| Professional permit (employee) | Pro Pass (Rs 30,000/month) and Expert Pass (Rs 250,000/month) | Pro Pass and Expert Pass merged. Single minimum salary: Rs 50,000/month. Transitional measure: existing holders keep Rs 30,000 threshold at first renewal only |
| Self-employed / independent | Minimum turnover from year 1 (Rs 750,000), cumulative Rs 6M over 5 years | New renewal thresholds: Rs 2M from year 3, Rs 3M from year 5 |
| Retired permit | USD 2,000/month (since 2025) | Unchanged in 2026 |
| Family Occupation Permit | Existed (USD 250,000) | Abolished |
| Golden Visa | Did not exist | New: minimum USD 1M in a priority sector (FinTech, AI, biotech, renewable energy, global treasury) |
Now let’s look at each visa and permit type in detail for 2026.
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 most accessible option after the tourist visa.
Some people start with this visa for a relocation project and then switch to an Occupation Permit (self-employed or investor).
- Visa valid for 1 year, renewable subject to conditions
- Free visa
- No work on the Mauritian market
- Minimum income of USD 1,500 per month per adult and USD 500 per child (dependent) from outside Mauritius
For a family of 2 adults and 3 children, this means a minimum income of USD 4,500 per month.
- Health insurance covering the entire duration of the stay
- Return ticket required
Note for 2026: Premium Visa renewal is possible but remains subject to the authorities’ assessment. If you are settling long-term, plan your transition to an Occupation Permit before the end of your first year.
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)
Since the Finance Act 2026, the USD 50,000 option has been removed. Only one entry threshold remains:
- USD 100,000 initial investment in the company
- Minimum turnover of Rs 1,000,000 in year 1
- Rs 5,000,000 annual turnover from year 3
- For renewal: Rs 8,000,000 annual turnover from year 5
- Validity: 10 years, renewable
- Possibility of hiring employees
- Complete business plan required
- Mandatory preliminary medical tests
For innovative startups: performance indicators (annual progress report, MVP) partially replace fixed financial thresholds. Check edbmauritius.org for details.
3.2 Employee/Professional Permit (Professional OP)
I obtained this permit twice during my years as an employee in Mauritius.
Since the Finance Act 2026, the Pro Pass and Expert Pass have been merged into a single category:
- Minimum required salary: Rs 50,000/month (around €950)
- Transitional measure: current holders keep the Rs 30,000 threshold at their first renewal only
- 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 length of the employment contract
- Permit renewal possible
- Visa fee: from USD 300 up to USD 1,000 for the maximum 10-year duration
- Application submitted by the employer
- Mandatory preliminary medical tests
Permit tied to the company: if you change employer, 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 independents
This is my current permit.
- Minimum investment of USD 50,000 (unchanged)
- Permit valid for a maximum of 10 years, renewable
- Visa fee: USD 1,000
- Services sector only
- Minimum turnover of Rs 2,000,000 from year 3 (around €37,000)
- For renewal: minimum Rs 3,000,000 from year 5 (around €55,500)
- No hiring possible except for one assistant
- 3 letters of intent from potential clients (including 2 Mauritian clients)
- 1 degree
- Complete business plan required
- Mandatory preliminary medical tests
3.5 Retired residence permit (Retired Non-Citizen)
- 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
Note: a minimum presence of 180 days per year in Mauritius is mentioned in some implementing texts. Verify on edbmauritius.org before submitting your application.
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.
7. My services to help you with your residence permit in Mauritius
Since 2018, I have been living in Mauritius and I help individuals with their residence permit applications.
Every journey is unique, which is why I offer personalised support:
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The ultimate guide on how to apply for your Mauritius Premium Visa on your own — no agency required.
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RESIDENCE PERMIT SUPPORT
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8. Conclusion
Mauritius remains a very attractive destination for expats: quality of life, stability, favourable tax environment… Since 2025 and again with the Finance Act 2026, the conditions for obtaining residence permits have become stricter: investor threshold raised to USD 100,000, professional minimum at Rs 50,000/month, tougher turnover requirements for the self-employed.
The direction is clear: Mauritius is selecting for quality profiles over volume.
If you are preparing your move, read the Finance Act 2026 guide for expats for the full picture on what changed.
Want support putting together your application file? Discover my services.
Always check the latest conditions on official sources: edbmauritius.org and residency.mu.
