OCCUPATION PERMITS
A non-citizen should apply for an Occupation Permit under the category which best reflects his nature of activities in the country. Our Mauritian immigration specialists will advise you on the optimal and most cost-effective route to follow, whether it be becoming a majority shareholder in a local company (Global Business Company) or if you setup something in your own name (self-employed).
OCCUPATION PERMIT AS AN INVESTOR
The Occupation Permit (OP) is a combined work and residence permit which allows foreign nationals to work and reside in Mauritius.
An Occupation Permit is issued for a maximum period of 10 years, renewable thereafter as per established criteria.
Machinery and equipment
An Investor wishing to bring in high-tech machinery and equipment as part of the investment of USD 50,000, must transfer a minimum of USD 25,000 within 60 days from issuance of the OP or its equivalent in freely convertible foreign currency and the remaining balance in terms of high-tech machinery and equipment.
How does one qualify?
- The high-tech machinery and equipment will be evaluated based on the invoice issued by the supplier and a report from a recognized Chartered Valuator in the country of origin
- In case the high-tech machinery and equipment is yet to be shipped to Mauritius, the investor should submit the bill of landing to the Occupation Permit Unit at time of submission of the application.
- Investment in high-tech machinery and equipment must be in a qualifying activity including but not limited to agro-industry, aquaculture, healthcare, ICT-BPO, fin-tech, life sciences, biotechnology, manufacturing, ocean economy and renewable energy.
Benefit
- Dependents of an Occupation Permit holder may also apply for residence permit for a duration not exceeding that of the main holder.
- A holder of an Occupation Permit, a foreign national is eligible to apply for a 70-year Residence Permit
Renewal
- Renewable
- An Occupation Permit holder should submit the renewal application at least one month prior to expiry.
- For renewal of an OP in the Investor category, the company should generate a minimum gross income of circa USD 87K per year as from the third year of registration.
Innovator Occupation Permit
Applicants, eligible to apply under the scheme, will be required to make an initial investment of USD 50,000 or its equivalent in freely convertible currency in the bank account of the company.
Eligibility
- The scheme applies to companies conducting R&D in qualifying sectors including but not limited to life and health sciences, technology, ICT, fintech, biotechnology, nanotechnology, light manufacturing, pharmaceuticals and design.
- The R&D expense component should constitute of at least 20% of total operational expenditure during the research phase.
- The Economic Development Board will assess, on a case to case basis, each project on its own merit to determine its eligibility to the scheme.
- The business plan should clearly depict all expenditures related to R&D activities.
How does one qualify?
The following costs may qualify as Research and Development:
- Direct R&D staff costs;
- Subcontracted R&D costs;
- Externally provided R&D staff;
- Clinical trial volunteer costs;
- Prototypes;
- Software directly used in R&D;
- Consumable items;
- Any other expenditure deemed to have been incurred with the prospect of gaining new scientific or technical knowledge and understanding.
For greater clarity, the following costs will not be considered as R&D expenditure:
- The production and distribution of goods and services;
- Capital expenditure;
- The cost of land;
- Expenditures incurred for the use and the creation of patents and trademarks, as these are the cost of protecting the completed R&D.
Benefit
- Dependents of an Occupation Permit holder may also apply for residence permit for a duration not exceeding that of the main holder. Dependents are defined as spouse (including Common Law Partner of the opposite sex) and children, including stepchildren or lawfully adopted children, under 24 years of age.
- A holder of an Occupation Permit, a foreign national is eligible to apply for a 70-year Residence permit.
Renewal
- Renewable
- An Occupation Permit holder should submit the renewal application at least l month prior to expiry.
OCCUPATION PERMIT AS A PROFESSIONAL
How does one qualify
- A Professional, as defined under the Immigration Act, is an expatriate employed by a company incorporated in Mauritius to deliver professional services.
- A Professional should earn a monthly basic salary exceeding USD 490
- 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.
Renewal
- Renewable
- Short-term Occupation Permit holders can apply for an extension of their permit only once, for a period not exceeding 3 months.
- A cancellation letter and a no-objection letter from the employer will be required if the Professional is shifting from a short-term Occupation Permit to a long-term OP within the same company.
Benefit
- Dependents of an Occupation Permit holder may also apply for residence permit for a duration not exceeding that of the main holder. Dependents are defined as spouse (including Common Law Partner of the opposite sex) and children, including stepchildren or lawfully adopted children, under 24 years of age.
- A holder of an Occupation Permit, a foreign national is eligible to apply for a Permanent Residence Permit which has a maximum duration of 20 years subject to meeting the eligibility criteria
OCCUPATION PERMIT AS SELF-EMPLOYED
How does one qualify?
- A Self-Employed is defined as a non-citizen engaged in a professional activity 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.
- The business activity should generate an annual income of MUR 800,000 as from the third year of registration
Renewal
- Renewable
- An Occupation Permit holder should submit the renewal application at least one month prior to expiry
Benefit
- Dependents of an Occupation Permit holder may also apply for residence permit for a duration not exceeding that of the main holder. Dependents are defined as spouse (including Common Law Partner of the opposite sex) and children, including stepchildren or lawfully adopted children, under 24 years of age.
- A holder of an Occupation Permit, a foreign national is eligible to apply for a Permanent Residence Permit which has a maximum duration of 20 years subject to meeting the eligibility criteria
