Non-citizens can acquire real estate under the following circumstances:

• Purchase within an Integrated Resort Scheme (IRS);
• Purchase within a Real Estate Scheme (RES);
• Purchase within a Property Development Scheme (PDS);
• Purchase within a Smart City Scheme (SCS);
• Purchase of an apartment in a building of not less than two floors (ground +2) at a minimum price of MUR 6 million.*

The acquisition of real estate by non-citizens cannot be done outside the scope of those 5 schemes save for an exceptional exemption provided by the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO). Acquiring real estate under those first 4 schemes grants the right of residence to the acquirer and his / her dependants with certain conditions, namely:

• An investment of at least 500 000 USD in the villa;
• The age of the dependents in respect of dependent children.

EA Consultancy advises foreigners on the best structures to put in place concerning the purchase of their real estate in Mauritius. Furthermore, EA Consultancy can put you in contact with promoters in Mauritius depending on your real estate preference.

It is very important to note that the residence obtained through purchase of real estate is not a work or occupational permit and that a separate permit is needed to engage in any other business activity in Mauritius.

The Occupational Permit (OP) is a combined work and residence permit. The following permits are available:

• Investor Permit: A minimum investment of USD 100 000 is required into the company and should generate a minimum of MUR 2 million for the first year and cumulative turnover of at least MUR 10 million for the subsequent two years.
• Professional: This permit is a work permit for a company wishing to employ a professional with demonstrated expertise in a particular field. The minimum salary should be MUR 60,000 per month with an exemption to 30,000 in an ICT company;
• Self-employed: The turnover must exceed MUR 600 000 the first two years and MUR 1,200,000 the third year with an initial investment of USD 35 000;

A non-citizen of 50 years of age or more may apply for a Retired Permit to immigrate to Mauritius but may not have any business occupation with same. The conditions are as follows:

• The non-citizen must initially transfer at least USD 2,500 to his/her local bank account in Mauritius and at least USD 2,500 monthly or by instalments amounting to at least USD 30,000 yearly.
• The occupational permits are granted for a maximum period of 3 years with a renewal procedure to be effected at least one month before the expiry of the term.

This permit grants a right of residence for an initial period of 10 years. This permit is an initial extension to the 4 categories of occupational permits (Investor, Professional, Retired and Self-employed) with stricter financial conditions.

• An investor who realises an aggregate turnover of at least MUR 45 million over any three consecutive years or invests an initial amount of USD 500 000 in certain prescribed activities may be granted permanent residence;
• A self-employed who realises an annual turnover of MUR 3 million over three consecutive years may be granted permanent residence;
• A Professional who earns a monthly salary of MUR 150 000 or more over three consecutive years may be granted permanent residence;
• A Retired person who transfers USD 40 000 or more for three consecutive years on his personal bank account in Mauritius may be granted permanent residence.