Take action
Dreaming of a new life under the tropical sun? While French nationals can enter Mauritius without a visa for tourist stays of up to 90 days, any long-term relocation calls for a more formal process. To settle on the island for good, you will need to secure an official permit from the relevant authorities. But with so many options and formalities, how do you find your way? Expat.mu breaks down seven essential official schemes for obtaining your Mauritius residence permit and helps you identify the solution best suited to your profile.
Do you need a visa to enter Mauritius?
Whether you need a visa to enter Mauritius depends above all on the nature of your plans.
For a short tourist stay, French nationals are exempt from visas for stays of up to 90 days. However, it is crucial not to confuse the "visa" (allowing a temporary stay) with the "permit" (allowing long-term residence). As soon as you plan to settle, work or invest, obtaining a residence permit becomes mandatory. The Mauritian system is structured to cover every type of project, whether professional, entrepreneurial or retirement-related.
The 7 visas and permits for moving to Mauritius
To accommodate a wide range of situations, the Mauritian authorities offer several dedicated schemes. Here are seven official routes to obtaining your residence permit.
The Premium Visa: test expat life for up to 1 year
The Premium Visa is ideal for remote workers, retirees in an exploration phase or a family on a gap year. This visa allows you to live in the country for 12 months. You must provide proof of income earned abroad and take out health insurance. Please note: this visa does not give access to the local job market.
Discover the Premium Visa requirements →The Investor Occupation Permit
The Investor Occupation Permit is designed for entrepreneurs who set up or acquire a company in Mauritius. It requires a minimum investment of 100 000 USD and grants a 10-year renewable permit to grow your business on Mauritian soil.
Learn more about the Investor Occupation Permit →The Professional Occupation Permit (employees)
The Professional Occupation Permit is aimed at expatriates recruited by a Mauritian company as employees. It is subject to a minimum monthly salary and requires a good match between your skills and the position in question.
See our Occupation Permit services →The Self-Employed Occupation Permit
The Self-Employed Occupation Permit is designed for independent professionals. This permit is the preferred choice of freelancers, consultants and liberal professions. The status requires an initial transfer of funds to a Mauritian bank account, and your activity must fall within the sectors deemed eligible by the government.
Check your eligibility →The Retired Residence Permit (aged 50 and over)
The Residence Permit for retirees is popular with French nationals seeking a better quality of life. It is intended for people aged 50 and over. This permit is valid for 10 years and can be obtained by proving a minimum annual transfer of funds to a local bank account.
Good to know: this permit does not require you to have ceased all professional activity in your home country. It is simply intended for people wishing to settle in Mauritius without carrying out any paid activity there.
See the details of the Retired Residence Permit →The Permanent Residence Permit (PRP): 20 years of peace of mind
The Permanent Residence Permit (PRP) is a long-term residence permit allowing a foreign national to live on the island. It is granted to investors, professionals, self-employed workers or retirees who meet specific eligibility criteria. It is valid for 20 years.
The residence permit through property acquisition
The residence permit through property acquisition is aimed at investors purchasing a property worth more than 375 000 USD in an approved scheme (PDS, IRS, RES, R+2 or Smart City). This residence permit allows you to live in Mauritius for as long as you remain the owner of the property.
Explore property opportunities →How to choose the right Mauritius residence permit for your profile?
| Profile | Recommended permit | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Remote worker / Exploring | Premium Visa | 1 year |
| Business founder | Investor OP | 10 years |
| Expat employee | Professional OP | As per contract (10 years max) |
| Freelancer / Consultant | Self-Employed OP | 10 years |
| Retiree (50+) | Retired Residence Permit | 10 years |
| Investors, professionals, self-employed, retirees | Permanent Residence Permit | 20 years |
| Property owner | Property Residence Permit | For as long as you own the property |
Preparing your Mauritius visa application: what to anticipate
Obtaining a residence permit or a visa is no mere formality: it is a demanding administrative process. The initial choice of permit or visa determines the success of your project. Keep in mind that the slightest misstep at this stage can lead to weeks of delays. It is essential to approach it with absolute rigour.
Putting the application together requires great care. The supporting documents expected (translated papers, legalised documents, medical certificates, police clearance certificates) must meet precise standards. The administrative workload and formalities involved are real and call for meticulous preparation.
Processing generally takes between 4 and 8 weeks. Your application is examined in detail by the administration, and the slightest missing or poorly worded element can result in a refusal or a delay detrimental to your relocation.
Why entrust your Mauritius visa application to expat.mu?
Relocating to Mauritius is a life project that leaves no room for approximation. By working with expat.mu, you benefit from a local expert with in-depth knowledge of the country and the field, backed by a solid network that smooths your dealings with Mauritian institutions.
We support you from start to finish, from the initial assessment of your profile to your actual arrival in Mauritius. This end-to-end guidance turns a complex process into a well-managed sequence.
More than just visa assistance, we provide continuity of services: once your permit is secured, we support you with everything related to your relocation (property, tax, health insurance).
