Home / 🇲🇺 Mauritius / Professional Occupation Permit
The Occupation Permit (OP) is a combined work and residence permit which allows foreign nationals to work and reside in Mauritius under the following 3 specific categories: Investor, Professional & Self-Employed.
Professional OP targets skilled workers that finds employment in the country.
Fact sheet
- Program type
-
Employment
Residency via employment programs requires that you find and maintain a job (sometimes with a minimum income threshold and/or special skill sets) in order to get the residency.
- Residency type
- Temporary residency (3 years)
- Minimum yearly income
- MUR 360,000 ($8,922)
Requirements
A professional should earn a monthly basic salary of at least MUR 60,000 ($1,487). As for professionals in the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Sector, the monthly basic salary should be at least MUR 30,000 ($743).
A Professional is an expatriate employed in Mauritius by virtue of a contract of employment.
Professionals working for a period of less than one year in Mauritius may apply for a Short-term Occupation Permit. Under the Short-term Occupation Permit, Professionals can work and reside in Mauritius for a period not exceeding 9 months. The permit may be extended only once for a period not exceeding 3 months.
Benefits
- Successful applicant can become a tax resident of Mauritius if (s)he spends at least 183 days in the country per year.
- The applicant can rent and live in any property on the island.
- The applicant can purchase pre-approved properties (properties open to be purchased by foreigners)
Restrictions
- Application subject to approval from the Economic Development board.
Renewal
There is no automatic renewal of the Occupation. Each application will be determined based on the guidelines and Government policies in force at the time of renewal.
Path to 20 years Residence Permit (RP)
A holder of an Professional Occupation Permit is eligible to apply for a 20-year Permanent Residence Permit provided the applicant holds the OP for at least 3 years, with a basic monthly salary of at least MUR 150,000 ($3,717) for 3 consecutive years immediately preceding the application for the Permanent Residence Permit.
Residency for dependents
The Dependents of an Occupation Permit holders are eligible to apply for a residence permit. Dependents are defined as spouse (including Common Law Partner of the opposite sex) and children, including step-children or lawfully adopted children, under 24 years of age.
Household import
Individual who is not a citizen of Mauritius and is coming to work in Mauritius (Occupation permit/work permit) is eligible to an exemption from any duty and taxes on Household and Personal Effects.
Household and Personal Effects include items such as: furniture, picture, bedding, linen, cutlery, crockery, silver and plated ware, sewing machine, radio set, television set, musical instrument, refrigerator, cooking stove, heater, perambulator and similar articles for domestic use.
The household and personal effects should have been purchased abroad and should not be intended for sale or transfer, and should be imported within 6 months of the arrival of the passenger.
Pet import
Anyone who wishes to bring to Mauritius a pet (dog, cat, bird etc…) should apply and obtain an Import Permit from the Ministry of Agro-Industry and Food Security, Division of Veterinary Services, three to six months prior to departure, depending on their residential country.
Pet will be quarantined for 5 to 30 days depending on origin.
Breeds not allowed into Mauritius:
- American Pit Bull Terrier
- American Staffordshire Terrier
- Staffordshire Terrier
- Blue Nose Pit Bull
- Red Nose Pit Bull
- Japanese Tosa
- Dogo Argentino
- Fila Brasileiro
- Boerboel