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The Occupation Permit (OP) is a combined work and residence permit which allows foreign nationals to work and reside in Mauritius under 3 specific categories: Investor, Professional & Self-Employed.
A Self-Employed is defined as a non-citizen engaged in a professional activity under the services sector only and registered with the Registrar of Businesses under the Business Registration Act 2002. A Self-Employed should operate a one-person business activity, working exclusively for his/her own account.
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 (10 years)
- Minimum investment
- $35,000
- Minimum yearly income
- MUR 800,000 ($19,826)
Requirements
A Self-Employed should make an initial transfer of $35,000 or its equivalent in freely convertible foreign currency to his/her local bank account in Mauritius.
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 and business case subject to approval from the Economic Development board.
- Self Employed cannot hire employees.
- Self employees cannot be hired normal employees in a local company (but they can be contracted out as self employees).
Renewal
For renewal, the business activity should generate a business income of MUR 800,000 ($19,826) per year as from the third year of registration.
Path to 20 years Residence Permit (RP)
A holder of an Self-Employed Occupation Permit is eligible to apply for a 20-year Permanent Residence Permit provided applicant holds the OP for at least 3 years, with an annual business income of at least MUR 3,000,000 ($74,349) for the 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