The principle: no work without a title

The rule stems from the Non-Citizens (Employment Restriction) Act of 1973, section 3(1) of which prohibits any non-citizen from engaging in any occupation in Mauritius for remuneration or profit, or from holding any employment there, without a valid permit and without complying with the conditions attached thereto. There is no tolerance threshold: a three-week assignment falls under the same rule as an open-ended contract.

The four titles

• Occupation Professional permit — for an employee recruited by a company established in Mauritius. Base salary of at least 50,000 rupees per month. Issued by the Economic Development Board, application submitted by the employer.
• Occupation Permit for Self-Employed Workers — for a consultant or freelance service provider operating independently. USD 50,000 investment, three letters of intent from clients. Issued by the EDB, application submitted by the applicant.
• Young Professional Occupation Permit — for a graduate of a Mauritian higher education institution. 25,000 rupees per month, for a maximum of three years. Issued by the EDB, application submitted by the employer.
• Work Permit — for jobs that do not fall under the previous categories, particularly in construction, manufacturing, hospitality, and services. Issued by the ministry of Labour, with a separate residence permit issued by the Passport and Immigration Office.

In addition, there is a special case useful for short Missions: theShort-term Occupation PermitOpen to professionals, for a period not exceeding nine months and renewable only once for a maximum of three Months. it meets the same salary conditions as the professional license.

A fifth option exists but is not covered in this guide: theOccupancy Permit investorThis is for those who create or take over a business without holding a salaried position. It requires a $100,000 USD investment and revenue thresholds, and is presented in the installation guide.

The key difference: Occupation Permit or Work Permit

It's not just a matter of the counter. The two systems do not impose the same requirements on the employer.

For a Work PermitThe employer must demonstrate that they have not found a local candidate: the Ministry of Labour's list of required documents includes copies of the job advertisement published in the press and the report of the selection process. This prioritizes local employment, and it is verified.

For a Occupation PermitThis demonstration is not required by the EDB. It is the salary threshold—50,000 rupees basic—that acts as a filter: the state considers that a position paying this level corresponds to a skill set that the local market does not easily fill. Many websites apply the job market test to both systems; this is inaccurate, and it leads candidates to withdraw due to a constraint that does not apply to them.

Three things that are true for all EDB licenses

No travel is required to submit the application. Everything is done through the National Electronic Licensing System at business.edbmauritius.org, from the initial filing to the letter of intent. Travel is only required for the final meeting to present the original documents.

The procedure takes place in two stages. A first set of documents leads to the agreement in principle. Only after obtaining this agreement is a Mauritian bank account opened, any required funds transferred, a medical examination undertaken, and the second set of documents submitted.

Regulated activities require separate authorization. The banking, engineering, medical, veterinary, and paramedical sectors, among others, require approval from the relevant public body or professional order, either before commencing operations or within a specified timeframe afterward. The EDB (Employment Development Board) informs the applicant, after submission, which authorizations are required—and this approval is a prerequisite for issuing the permit.

Mauritius has a service-based economy, and that's where the job opportunities for foreigners are located. The country has developed in successive waves—sugar cane, textiles, tourism, financial services—to which the digital sector has been added over the last twenty years. The time zone, two hours ahead of France in winter and three in summer, facilitates working with Europe, Africa, and Asia, and the French-English bilingualism of the professional world is a real asset for a French speaker.

Information and digital technologies

This is the most open sector, driven by the Ebène Cybercity hub, several technology parks, and the government's stated commitment to attracting artificial intelligence talent, with a dedicated economic zone in Côte d'Or. Desired profiles:

• Developers, particularly those with experience in Java, PHP, Python, React, and Node.js
• Cybersecurity experts
• Data analysts and data scientists
• Specialists in artificial intelligence and machine learning
• Project managers and Scrum masters
• Experience and interface designers
• Specialists in SEO and digital marketing
• DevOps Engineers and system administrators
• Cloud architects

Financial services

Mauritius is an international financial jurisdiction that serves as a gateway to Africa and India, with an extensive network of tax treaties. The sector offers the highest salaries on the island. Desired profiles:

• Fund management and wealth management
• Banking services
• Accounting and auditing, with international qualifications such as ACCA
• Financial analysis and investment advice
• Regulatory compliance
• Risk management
• International taxation
• Business Law

Tourism and hospitality

The luxury sector regularly recruits internationally for management and culinary positions, with a peak in recruitment before the high season, from October to April. Five-star establishments offer some of the most comprehensive packages on the island.

• Hotel management and establishment management
• Chefs and pastry chefs, particularly in international gastronomy
• High-end catering
• Revenue management
• Spa, wellness and qualified therapists
• Entertainment and leisure

Health

Mauritius is developing medical tourism and is seeking practitioners with internationally recognized qualifications. Please note: practicing medicine requires registration with the relevant Mauritian professional body, a separate process from obtaining a license and which must be undertaken concurrently.

• General practitioners and specialists, including cardiology, orthopedics and pediatrics
• Registered nursing staff
• Pharmacists
• Dentists and orthodontists
• Radiologists and medical technicians
• Physiotherapists and paramedical professionals
• Hospital administration

Other promising sectors

• Teaching in accredited French schools and international schools — particularly in mathematics, science and languages
• Digital marketing and communication
• Recruitment and human resources
• Renewable energies and sustainable development
• Multilingual service centers
• Architecture and construction, particularly on Smart City projects
• International trade and logistics
• Management and strategy consulting

Two realities to integrate

The market is small. Mauritius has a population of around 1.2 million. A job posting attracts many qualified local candidates, often bilingual, frequently trained in Europe, India, or South Africa. The competition is no less intense than elsewhere, but it is different.

The 50,000 rupee threshold excludes execution positions. A foreigner is recruited when they bring a rare skill, international experience, or a network of contacts. For a position that the local market can easily fill, the employer has no reason to submit an application to the EDB. This is the logic of the system, and it explains why unsolicited applications from junior candidates almost never result in a successful outcome.

The thresholds that have regulatory value

These four figures are legally binding and verifiable. They frame everything else:

• 50,000 rupees per month — minimum basic salary for a professional Occupation Permit. This is effectively the minimum salary for a foreign executive recruited in Mauritius.
• 25,000 rupees per month — minimum of the young professional permit, reserved for graduates of a Mauritian institution.
• 30,000 rupees per month — threshold below which the contract of a foreign worker must be reviewed by the Division of Labour under a Work Permit.
• 400,000 rupees per month — base salary required for five consecutive years to qualify for twenty-year permanent residency as a professional.

The ranges observed by profession

The amounts below are orders of magnitude observed in published offersThese figures, expressed in monthly rupees with their approximate equivalent in euros, are not from any official publication and vary considerably depending on company size, experience, and the negotiated compensation package. Statistics Mauritius also publishes average salary data by sector, and job postings often display a salary range: these are the two sources to compare before negotiating.

Technologies and digital

• Junior developer: 35,000 to 50,000 rupees, or approximately 700 to 1,000 euros
• Experienced web developer: 50,000 to 80,000 rupees, or approximately 1,000 to 1,600 euros
• Project manager: 100,000 to 150,000 rupees, or approximately 2,000 to 3,000 euros
• Senior System Architect or DevOps Engineer: 120,000 to 180,000 rupees, or approximately 2,400 to 3,600 euros
• Data scientist or artificial intelligence expert: 100,000 to 200,000 rupees, or approximately 2,000 to 4,000 euros

Financial services

• Qualified accountant: 60,000 to 90,000 rupees, or approximately 1,200 to 1,800 euros
• Financial Analyst: 80,000 to 130,000 rupees, or approximately 1,600 to 2,600 euros
• Compliance officer: 90,000 to 140,000 rupees, or approximately 1,800 to 2,800 euros
• Fund manager: from 150,000 rupees and over 300,000, or approximately 3,000 to 6,000 euros and more

Tourism and hospitality

• Head waiter or qualified server: 25,000 to 40,000 rupees, or approximately 500 to 800 euros
• Sous-chef or chef de partie: 45,000 to 70,000 rupees, or approximately 900 to 1,400 euros
• Head chef: 60,000 to 100,000 rupees, or approximately 1,200 to 2,000 euros
• Revenue manager: 70,000 to 120,000 rupees, or approximately 1,400 to 2,400 euros
• Hotel manager: 80,000 to 150,000 rupees, or approximately 1,600 to 3,000 euros

Health

• Registered nurse: 40,000 to 65,000 rupees, or approximately 800 to 1,300 euros
• Pharmacist: 70,000 to 110,000 rupees, or approximately 1,400 to 2,200 euros
• General practitioner: 100,000 to 180,000 rupees, or approximately 2,000 to 3,600 euros
• Specialist doctor: from 150,000 rupees and over 300,000, or approximately 3,000 to 6,000 euros and more

Other functions

• Digital Marketing Manager: 60,000 to 100,000 rupees, or approximately 1,200 to 2,000 euros
• Human Resources Manager: 70,000 to 120,000 rupees, or approximately 1,400 to 2,400 euros

Note that several of these salary ranges start below the 50,000 rupees required for a professional Occupation Permit. This is not a contradiction: these levels correspond to positions predominantly held by Mauritians. A foreign national recruited for these positions must reach the threshold, which automatically places them at the higher end of the range.

The package trap

Only the base salary is taken into account when calculating the threshold. A package advertised at 60,000 rupees, including a 15,000 housing allowance, is insufficient to obtain a permit: the base salary is only 45,000 rupees. This is a frequent reason for refusal, and it is addressed at the time of the job offer, not afterwards.

The employment contract must explicitly and unambiguously state: the candidate's full name as it appears on their birth certificate, the company name, the job title, the contract duration, and the monthly base salary. A contract that is unclear on any of these points will cause the application to be rejected.

What is negotiated in addition to the salary

• Housing assistance for the first few months, or a permanent housing allowance
• The fees for the driver's license and medical examination
• The bank guarantee, when required — see below
• The initial plane ticket for the employee and their family, and sometimes an annual return ticket
• A contribution towards school fees, a heavy expense for a family
• Moving expenses or a fixed installation allowance

None of these elements count towards the 50,000 rupee threshold, but all weigh on the remaining living expenses for the first year.

Comparing in ways other than raw

The relevant calculation is not a comparison of gross salaries but of disposable income. a mauritian Salary is subject to income tax, with relatively low initial tax brackets and significantly lower social security contributions than in France. However, imported goods, private schooling, and international health insurance represent a substantial expense, and these three items are particularly relevant for expatriate families.

Beware of a very common misconception: mauritian income tax is no longer a flat 15%The scale is progressive and, since 2026, includes a 35% bracket. Details are provided below and in the taxation section of the installation guideWhich also deals with tax residency and deductions.

The job search is almost always conducted remotely: a tourist visa allows you to prospect and interview, but never to work, and no permit can be applied for without an identified employer. Therefore, searching before arriving is not only possible, it's the natural order of things.

Where to look

• Myjob.mu — the most comprehensive job platform on the Mauritian market, across all sectors, with thousands of updated offers.
• CareerHub.mu — a local platform that is well followed by mauritian companies, particularly in technology and finance.
• International professional networks — very effective for profiles in digital, consulting and finance, where recruitment largely relies on recommendations.
• The employment section of the daily newspaper L'Express, on lexpress.mu.
• The websites of major employers — Hotel groups, Mauritian conglomerates, financial services companies, telecom operators publish their offers directly.
• Recruitment agencies — several international firms specializing in executive profiles are based in mauritius, Alongside local firms. this is the Most efficient channel for management positions, and the only one that will tell you immediately whether the employer is willing to prepare a permit application.

Four strategies that work

Targeted unsolicited applications. Many positions are never advertised. Identify fifteen to twenty companies that match your profile and send them personalized applications, mentioning your name when possible. Mauritian companies are receptive to this.

Active networking. Join professional groups dedicated to Mauritius on social media, and contact professionals in your field directly to discuss the market before even applying. On an island this size, two or three conversations are often enough to find out who is hiring.

The exploratory journey. Spending one or two weeks there to meet potential employers makes a big difference: the approach is very well received, and it also allows you to visit residential areas and understand the actual distances involved. For a future freelancer, this isn't optional: it's where you get the letters of intent from clients required by the EDB (European Business Board).

The Tailored cV. Anglo-Saxon format, two pages maximum, no photo in international companies, with an emphasis on quantifiable achievements rather than job descriptions. English is preferred in most sectors, French in tourism and education. Highlight bilingualism, international certifications, and a well-reasoned motivation for choosing Mauritius—local recruiters are wary of "sunshine" applications.

One piece of advice that changes everything: explicitly state your status with regard to the permitA Mauritian recruiter wants to know immediately whether they will need to submit an application to the EDB, and many automatically reject foreign applications due to a lack of this information. A single line is all it takes: specify that you do not hold a permit, that the procedure is entirely online, and that it does not require any travel for the company.

The remote interview

Anticipate the time difference and suggest a Mauritian morning slot. Prepare two questions that will immediately position you as a serious candidate: who will cover the permit fees and any required guarantee, and what is the company's commitment to submit the application within a certain timeframe? An employer who has never hired a foreigner will discover the procedure at the same time as you—it's not a deal-breaker, but it's better to be aware of it before resigning.

This is by far the most common route for a foreign worker.

The conditions

You must be employed in Mauritius by a local company or a multinational corporation, under an employment contract stipulating a a basic monthly salary of at Least 50,000 rupeesThat Is the only financial condition.

This single threshold is the new feature for 2026: the ProPass and Expert Pass categories have merged, and the previous sector-specific thresholds—notably the reduced regime for call centers—have been eliminated. The "Expert" status at 250,000 rupees, still mentioned on many websites, no longer exists.

A transitional arrangement exists. A professional holding a valid Occupation Permit, obtained under the 30,000 rupee basic salary criterion, is entitled to a renewal under the same criterion. Only one. At the next renewal, it will be necessary to reach 50,000 rupees.

Duration and renewal

The permit is issued for a period a maximum of ten years, depending on the length of the employment contractAnd it is renewable. The renewal criterion is simple: a renewed employment contract respecting the applicable minimum basic wage. Submit your renewal application several months before the expiry date: an expired permit no longer authorizes you to work.

For short missions, the short-term permit it covers a period not exceeding nine months, extendable only once for a maximum of three months. This is the solution for a construction project, an expert assessment, or a replacement.

Who submits the application

The application has been submitted by the employerThe director or human resources representative must act on behalf of the professional—never the employee themselves. The employer must have previously registered with the National Electronic Licensing System.

On the day of the appointment, the professional must be accompanied by their employer., director or HR representative. It's not a formality: a candidate who shows up alone leaves without a permit.

Documents to be provided before the agreement in principle

• Business Registration Card
• Certificate of incorporation of the company
• Register of Shareholders and Directors
• Authorizations, licenses or letters of intent for regulated activities
• A complete presentation of the company's activities
• The employment contract signed by both parties and a detailed job description
• Diplomas and professional qualifications, in original or certified copy, in English or French — failing that, a certified or sworn translation by a competent authority
• Resume
• Original birth certificate, in English or French, or certified translation
• Passport biographical data page
• A digital, color passport photo, 3.5 × 4.5 Cm, taken less than six months ago
• The signed undertaking referred to in section 5, completed and signed by the employer

Documents to be provided after the agreement in principle

• Marriage or divorce certificate, original in English or French, or certified translation
• Medical certificate and reports, less than six months old
• The visa pages corresponding to the last entry into the territory
• Copy of any other permit already held — Occupation Permit, Work Permit or Residence Permit
• Application fees
• Any other document that the EDB deems necessary

Preliminary documents must also be submitted in originals at the appointment. Gather them physically before leaving: sending a birth certificate from Europe once there takes weeks.

The case of secondment

If the professional is seconded to the Mauritian entity by a foreign company, the employer in Mauritius must provide the secondment agreement concluded between the two companiesAccompanied by a letter specifying the job title, the duration of the contract and the monthly base salary.

Secondment also has tax implications: if you Declare your earnings in your country of origin, you will need to provide a tax certificate attesting to at the time of renewal of your permit. Keep it every year.

The fees

Permit fees depend on the duration granted:

• Short-term permit, up to 9 months: 300 USD
• Extension of the short-term permit, up to 3 months: 150 USD
• Up to 2 years old: 400 USD
• Over 2 years and up to 3 years: 500 USD
• Over 3 years and up to 5 years: 800 USD
• Over 5 years and up to 10 years: 1,000 USD

In addition to this, there are a non-refundable USD 50 processing fee applies, effective from December 1, 2025. to all Occupation Permit applications. Apart from these fees, the EDB does not charge for processing, and only successful applicants pay the permit fees stipulated by law.

The right to invest

Holders of a professional Occupation Permit may invest in any Mauritian company, provided they are not employed by the company and do not receive a salary or employment-related benefits. As an exception, they may hold shares in the company that employs them, provided they are not the majority shareholder.

This is a real flexibility for those who want to prepare their own business while remaining employed, but the limit is strict: as soon as you work in the company in which you have invested, you need the corresponding permit.

The family

The spouse, parents, and unmarried children without gainful employment obtain a residence permit from the same duration than yours. details Of the people concerned are included in the occupation Permit Section of the facility guide.

The request falls under the Passport and Immigration Office, and not the EDB. Crucially, this residence permit allows you to live in Mauritius, not to work thereA spouse who wishes to work must obtain their own permit, with their own contract and file. Submit the application for dependents at the same time as your own, rather than after: this avoids several weeks of delay upon arrival, particularly for school registrations.

The tax return

A professional working in Mauritius must file an annual income tax return with the mauritius revenue authority And Pay The tax due. this obligation Is separate from any monthly deductions made by the employer.

What happens when the contract ends

The professional permit is tied to the employment contract: it remains valid for its duration and does not survive its termination. Changing employers requires a new application, submitted by the new employer. This is the structural weakness of this system, and the reason why some expatriates prepare for self-employment or investment in parallel.

The deadlines and tolerances in case of breach are not officially published by the EDB. If your situation changes, contact the EDB before the permit expires rather than after, and do so in writing.

This is the path of the consultant, the freelancer, and the self-employed service provider. It is also the path where conditions have become the most difficult.

The conditions

• A minimum investment of USD 50,000 in professional activity — and not 35,000 as many pages still indicate.
• An activity falling within the service sector.
• Three letters of intent from potential clients, two of which came from local clients.
• An income from business of At least 2 million rupees from the third year of registration, then at least 3 million from the fifth year onwards, this latter threshold being the renewal criterion.

The permit is issued for ten years, renewable, subject to a fee of USD 1,000 upon approval of the application, in addition to the USD 50 processing fee in effect since December 1, 2025.

Why letters of intent change everything

The requirement of two potential clients based in Mauritius means that a solid business plan and sufficient funds are no longer enough. Prospecting is necessary. before to file, therefore, to know the local market even before being established there.

In practical terms, this requires a preliminary phase that cannot be rushed: scouting locations, meeting potential clients, networking within local professional circles, and obtaining signed letters of recommendation. Allow several months, and begin this process before compiling your application, not during. It's the job itself that will cause delays, much more so than the administrative side.

The transfer of funds

Opening a mauritian bank account becomes possible once the agreement in principle email is received. The initial transfer of USD 50,000, Or its equivalent in a freely convertible currency, must be made to this account. within 60 days from the date of issue of the permit.

The order is therefore: agreement in principle, then bank account, then permit, then transfer. No one asks you to send funds before receiving a favorable decision — if an intermediary suggests it, it means they are either unfamiliar with the procedure or dishonest.

Documents to be provided before the agreement in principle

• Original birth certificate, in English or French, or a translation certified by a competent authority
• A detailed business plan, conforming to the template provided by the EDB
• Contracts or letters of intent from potential clients, at least three, including two from local clients
• Resume
• Diplomas and professional qualifications, originals or certified copies issued by a competent authority
• Passport biographical data page
• A digital, color passport photo, 3.5 × 4.5 Cm, taken less than six months ago
• The signed commitment, completed by the candidate himself
• Copy of any other permit held — Occupation Permit, Work Permit or Residence Permit

Documents to be provided after the agreement in principle

• Business registration card
• Proof of investment, i.e., documentation of the transfer of funds from abroad to the company's local account.
• Authorizations, licenses or letters of intent for regulated activities
• Medical certificate and reports less than six months old
• Application fees

Create your structure

The activity is recorded via the Corporate and Business Registration Department, a one-stop shop for business creation, on companies.govmu.org. An unregulated activity does not require a prior license; a regulated activity requires approval obtained before starting or within a defined period after.

A little-known limitation: an independent Occupation Permit holder is not authorized to employ that only one local administrative employeeThe scheme is designed for a self-employed professional, not for a growing business. If your project involves hiring, you should look into the Investor Occupation Permit.

Renewal after ten years

At the end of the ten-year period, renewal is possible subject to a minimum income from employment. 750,000 Rupees in the first year of registration, with a progression allowing one to reach a cumulative turnover of 6 million rupees in the fifth yearThese figures, distinct from the entry thresholds, are those published by the EDB for the ten-year renewal.

Independent or Premium Visa: the line not to cross

This scheme is not designed for remote workers who maintain an exclusively foreign clientele. Such individuals fall under the Premium Visa, a renewable one-year residence permit, free of charge, which requires that their business activity and primary source of income be located outside Mauritius. Its detailed conditions are available in [link to details]. the installation guide.

But the line is clear: the Premium Visa prohibits entry into the Mauritian job market. You can invoice foreign clients from Mauritius. The day you accept a Mauritian client, you violate the conditions of your visa, and you will need an independent Occupation Permit—which takes months to obtain, as it requires letters of intent. Anticipate this change before you need it.

The YPOP opens the mauritian job market to foreigners who have studied on the island.

The conditions

• Having obtained at least one undergraduate degree from a local higher education institution recognized by the Higher Education Commission ; or have completed a internationally recognized professional certification, of a level at least equivalent to an undergraduate degree, provided by an organization registered in Mauritius;
• and justify a a basic monthly salary of at Least 25,000 rupees.

The threshold of 30,000 rupees, which is still mentioned on many pages, is no longer the correct one.

The duration

The permit is issued for three years maximum, depending on the duration of the employment contract, and is not renewable in this category. To stay beyond that, you have to switch To the professional occupation permit and meet the conditions in force at That time — so, Today, Reaching 50,000 rupees of basic salary.

This is the key point to understand before Committing: the YPOP is a stepping stone, not a career. It gives you three years to double your base salary, or to leave.

Documents to be provided before the agreement in principle

• The application form
• The signed undertaking referred to in section 5, completed and signed by the employer
• The employment contract and the job description
• The diploma and, where applicable, a certificate from the institution confirming completion of the course.
• A presentation of the company's activities
• Company registration card, certificate of incorporation, register of shareholders and directors
• Authorizations or licenses for regulated activities
• Original birth certificate in English or French, or certified translation
• Marriage or divorce certificate, same language requirement
• Passport biographical data page
• The foreign residents charter form

Documents to be provided after the agreement in principle

• Medical certificate and reports less than six months old
• A valid student visa
• The processing fees, payable by payment terminal in dollars
• A digital, color passport photo, 3.5 × 4.5 Cm, taken less than six months ago

The preliminary documents must also be presented in their original form at the meeting.

The fees

• Up to one Year: 150 USD
• More than one year and up to two years: 250 USD
• More than two years and up to three Years: 300 USD

In addition to this, there is a non-refundable USD 50 processing fee.

The Work Permit is the historical system, entirely separate from the Occupation Permit. It covers jobs that do not fall under the categories of the EDB: construction and building, manufacturing and textiles, industrial maintenance, mechanics, specialized agriculture, hotel and restaurant services for non-managerial positions, crafts, and domestic work.

Who delivers what

The work permit is issued by the employment division of the ministry of Labour, on the basis of the Non-Citizens (Employment Restriction) Act. It is not equivalent to a residence Permit: a separate residence permit must be obtained from the Passport and Immigration Office.

The two applications are made in parallel, and the worker must hold the two documents before travelling. arriving With only a work permit will cause problems at immigration.

Only a Mauritian company, or a foreign company duly registered in Mauritius, may submit the application. Neither a recruitment agency nor an intermediary may do so on its behalf. The application must be submitted online via the e-Work Permit portal at workpermit.mu.

Priority given to local employment

This is a defining characteristic of this system. The employer must produce copies of the advertisement that appeared in the press and the results of the selection process, to establish that no local candidate could be recruited.

Other documents required by the company

• The revenue figures for the last three financial years attest to the company's financial health.
• The latest social security contribution receipt, along with the list of registered local employees
• Proof of accommodation made available to the foreign worker
• The employment contract, which must be targeted by the Division of Labour when remuneration does not exceed 30,000 rupees per month Beyond this threshold, a certificate from the employer attesting to the salary level is sufficient.

The in-person stage

The e-Work Permit portal procedure requires a physical formality: in the two weeks following the notification issued by the system, an administrator or an authorized user of the company must appear in person at the Employment Division, on level 11 of Victoria House in Port Louis, to sign the registration form and present the original scanned documents, along with their national identity card.

The annual fee

The 2025 Finance Act introduced a a non-refundable annual fee of 500 rupees per foreign worker, owed by the employer to the Director General of Immigration and payable before the issuance of the residence permitThe amount is modest, but its non-payment blocks the issuance of the security.

The duration

The duration granted varies depending on the sector and the contract, and the Ministry of Labor does not publish a general rule applicable to all cases. Renewals are possible but are subject to stricter controls than for an Occupation Permit. Have the employer specify the duration when applying rather than relying on a figure found online.

Certain situations exempt individuals from needing a work permit. The exemption is not never automatic : it requires an official certificate, requested by the employer from the employment division of the ministry of Labour.

These situations include, in particular, spouses of Mauritian citizens, holders of a permanent residence permit, and non-citizens holding a residence permit obtained for the acquisition of property under IRS, RES or PDS — the latter being expressly exempted, by the EDB, from holding an Occupation Permit or a Work Permit to invest and work in Mauritius.

Never assume an exemption. Until the certificate is issued, working remains an offense under the 1973 law. If you have any doubts about your situation, the Employment Division is the contact person, and the question should be asked before you start work, never after.

The path is the same for all EDB categories, with the pieces varying. Here's the order in which to complete it, and the timing traps at each stage.

Step 1 — Secure the offer, four to three months in advance

Nothing starts without a signed contract, a letter of intent for a freelancer, or an employer registered on the Platform. use this phase to finalize in writing who pays for permit fees, the medical examination, and any required guarantee.

Step 2 — Gather the non-perishable items, three to two months in advance

Birth certificates, marriage or divorce certificates, diplomas, work certificates, and CVs: these documents have no expiration date and can be obtained early. At the same time, request certified translations for anything that is neither in English nor French.

The documents common to all EDB files, the apostille, and the translation rules are detailed in the section dedicated to the EDB file in the installation guideThe key point to remember: official documents issued in a country that is a signatory to the Hague Convention must bear an apostille, obtained from the competent authority of the issuing country, and this process takes several weeks.

Step 3 — Parts with a limited validity period, two months before

This is where most of the delays occur. The a certificate of good character, or criminal record extract, must cover the last ten years and be less than six months old.If you request it too early to have time to get it apostilled, it will expire when you submit the second set of documents. The order that works is: compile the rest of the file first, then submit the application and apostille last.

Also prepare passport photos in the required format — 3.5 × 4.5 cm, in color, less than six months old — and make several sets: the bank, the school and the administration will ask for more.

Step 4 — Scan and verify

All documents are uploaded online. Scan in color, in high definition, and organize the files by category before you begin typing.

A check that avoids weeks of delay: check that your name is written exactly the same way on all documents — passport, birth certificate, diplomas, employment contract. A difference in accent, a middle name present on one document and absent on another, a preferred name instead of your birth name, and the application will be rejected.

Step 5 — File on the National Electronic Licensing System

Applications are submitted via business.edbmauritius.org. For a professional permit or a YPOP (Individualized Professional Opportunity Program), the employer creates the account and submits the application; for a self-employed or investor permit, the applicant submits it themselves. The system acknowledges receipt and assigns a case number, which is then used for all follow-up.

If the eDB requests additional information, respond Quickly: a file awaiting a document does not progress, and this is the most frequent cause of delay, ahead of any administrative slowness.

Step 6 — Agreement in principle

The eDB notifies its agreement in principle by Email. this document is what unlocks the Next steps: opening of the mauritian bank account, transfer of funds for categories that require it, and passing the medical examination.

Step 7 — Fees and Guarantee

The permit fees, detailed above for each category, range from USD 150 to USD 1,000 depending on the title and its duration, plus a non-refundable USD 50 processing fee since December 1, 2025.

A guarantee it may also be required, either as a blocked deposit or a bank guarantee issued by a financial institution. The amount varies depending on nationality and license category, and the EDB (European Driving Licence) does not publish it on its public pages: have it confirmed at the time of application. Two practical points regarding this: First, a bank guarantee prevents you from tying up the funds, subject to fees charged by your bank. Second, it is very often the employer who advances this amount—and this is a point to negotiate and include in the contract, just like the license fees, specifying the repayment conditions.

Step 8 — The appointment and the deliverance

The final meeting involves the presentation of all original documents, including those already uploaded, are required. For a professional permit, the employee must be accompanied by their employer, manager, or human resources representative.

For investment categories, the transfer of funds must take place within the 60 days following the issuance of the permit — a period that runs from the date of the permit, and not from the date of filing.

A rule that applies to the entire calendar

Don't cancel anything before you have the license in hand. Neither the lease, nor the current employment contract, nor insurance policies are valid. A file can be postponed due to a non-compliant translation or an expired document, and no one can guarantee you a date.

A medical certificate and examination reports dated less than six months ago these are among the documents to be produced after the agreement in principle, for all categories of permits. This is a non-negotiable requirement.

The tests are carried out at approved laboratories and clinics, and the EDB provides the applicant with the medical form to be completed along with the preliminary agreement. The list of tests is not published on the EDB's public website; in practice, the requested screenings typically focus on communicable diseases, including a chest X-ray. The form provided with your preliminary agreement is the only official document.

Three practical tips. Make an appointment. upon arrivalIn the first few days, as the results take a few days and the rest of the application will need to be processed. Bring your passport, the letter of intent, and the medical form. If you have a pre-existing medical condition, consult your doctor before departure and prepare the relevant documents: individual situations are reviewed on a case-by-case basis, but they are processed more effectively when documented.

Include this item in the installation budget, just like permit fees.

These procedures are common to all those who settle in the area, regardless of their status. They are covered in detail in the installation guide ; here is what an employee needs to remember and in what order to proceed.

The bank account

It opens as soon as the agreement in principle is granted, upon presentation of the passport, the EDB letter, proof of residence, and proof of income. The main retail banks are the Mauritius Commercial Bank and the State Bank of Mauritius. Two points to be aware of: incoming international transfers are subject to fees, and checks remain a common payment method, much more so than in Europe. See details.

Tax number

Your Tax Account Number, or TAN, must be obtained from the Mauritius Revenue Authority upon arrival. It will be required for much more than just tax returns: opening accounts, contracts, and administrative procedures. Your employer will also need it to register you.

The accommodation

Local custom dictates that you rent first. Leases are most often for one year, with a deposit of two to three months' rent, and water and electricity bills rarely included. Properties are frequently unfurnished or semi-furnished. The choice of region depends as much on the commute as on the climate: the central plateau is significantly cooler and more humid than the coast. See details by region, and our article on the weather due to climate differences.

Essential services

Electricity, water, and internet services are activated once the lease is signed, upon presentation of the lease and an identity document. Three telecom operators share the market, fiber optic is widely deployed in residential areas, and resident packages—cheaper than tourist offers—require a Mauritian identity card or passport. See our sIM card guide for the first few days.

Move

Driving is on the left, and the trickiest adjustment involves roundabouts. A foreign driving licence is valid for a limited time, after which it must be converted at the Traffic Branch — check the requirements with them before it expires. See drive left in Mauritius and, for the first few weeks, car rental.

Children's schooling

This is the first point to address, even before accommodation: places are limited and registrations are made well in advance, sometimes more than a year. Five French schools are accredited—École du Nord in Mapou, École du Centre and Collège Pierre Poivre in Moka, Lycée Labourdonnais in Curepipe, Lycée des Mascareignes in Saint-Pierre, and École Paul et Virginie in Tamarin—in addition to several international schools offering the British curriculum or the International Baccalaureate. French families can apply for a scholarship from the AEFE (Agency for French Education Abroad), subject to income requirements. See details of institutions and scholarships.

Health and insurance

The public sector is free, including for foreign residents, but overcrowded; the private sector offers standards close to those of Europe. Private insurance is not optional and must be purchased. before departure Waiting periods and exclusions for pre-existing conditions are difficult to negotiate once you're there. Check that the contract covers medical evacuation, as some complex medical specialties are not available on the island. See details, as well as our pages health and health safety and emergency numbers.

The move

The volume of your belongings determines the shipping method: a full container for anything larger than an entire home, and less than that for smaller items. As a newcomer with a residence permit, you are entitled to duty-free allowances on your personal effects and used furniture, provided you submit invoices and a detailed inventory. Large appliances and entry-level furniture often cost more to ship than to replace locally. See detailsAnd for animals, our guide bringing or adopting an animal to Mauritius.

The cost of living

Lower than in Western Europe, but highly uneven depending on the category: local products, services, and gasoline are cheap; everything imported is significantly more expensive; and electricity costs rise rapidly with air conditioning from November to April. An expat who replicates their European eating habits spends as much on groceries as they would in France. See the details for each position..

Three deductions are made from an employee's remuneration, in addition to employer contributions. The employer declares all of this monthly to the Mauritius Revenue Authority.

Tax withheld at source

The PAYE — Pay As You Earn — system deducts income tax each month. The employee receives a net amount after tax but is still required to file a tax return. annual declaration, if only to support his deductions.

Each employee completes a form at the beginning of the fiscal year. Employee Declaration FormThis form, which details your family situation and the deductions you are entitled to, determines the amount withheld each month. If completed incorrectly, it will lead to overpayments for twelve months, which will only be corrected with your annual tax return. Take the time to complete it with your employer's payroll department.

The scale, in summary

For the income year from July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2027: 0 % on the first 500,000 rupees of taxable income, 10 % on the next tranche of 500,000, 20 % of the Following 11 million, 35 % above 12 million. The scale is progressive: each rate only applies to the portion of income within its bracket. The 35% bracket is a new feature of the 2026 Finance Law and replaces the abolished Fair Share Contribution.

The Mauritian tax year runs from July 1st to June 30th. Tax residency rules, allowable deductions, the treatment of foreign-source income, and its relationship to your country of origin are addressed in the taxation section of the installation guide.

The General social contribution

The CSG replaced the former National Pensions Fund in September 2020. For a private sector employee, the rates depend on the level of monthly remuneration:

• Up to 50,000 rupees: 1.5% payable by the employee, 3% payable by the employer
• Above 50,000 rupees: 3% paid by the employee, 6% paid by the employer

The CSG has no ceiling: it applies to the entire remuneration.

The National Savings Fund and the contribution to training

The NSF collects 1% on the employee and 2.5% on the employer, within the limit of an insurable earnings ceiling revised annually on July 1st.

The employer also pays a contribution to training of 1.5% of the basic salary of each employee, excluding domestic workers, in effect since July 1, 2021. It does not burden the employee but is included in the employer's cost, which is useful to know in negotiations.

What this means in practice

A private-sector employee therefore pays, in social security contributions, 1.5% or 3% CSG (General Social Contribution) depending on their salary level, plus 1% NSF (Solidarity Tax on Welfare) up to the ceiling—in addition to income tax withheld at source. This total is significantly higher than French payroll deductions and is one of the main points of comparison regarding purchasing power between the two countries.

The reform announced for 2027

The 2026-2027 budget provides for the replacement of the CSG and the Portable Retirement Gratuity Fund with a new National Pensions Fund operating on a capitalisation basis, from 1 july 2027The announced rates are 1.5% for the employee and 7.5% for the employer up to 50,000 rupees monthly salary, then 3% and 10.5% beyond.

This reform is announced, not implemented Until July 1, 2027, the CSG (General Social Contribution) and the PRGF (Personalized Tax Reduction) remain in effect, and the detailed rules—exact tax base, registration and reporting obligations—have not yet been published. If you are negotiating a compensation package today for a position starting in 2027, make sure the employer clarifies this point: employer contributions are increasing significantly, and some will pass this on to you in the offer.

Mauritian labor law applies to foreign employees as well as local employees, without any special permit-related provisions.

Public holidays

Mauritius has about fifteen public holidays, divided between national, Hindu, Christian, Muslim, and Chinese festivals—a direct reflection of the country's composition, and one of the things that pleasantly surprises newcomers. The 2026-2027 budget announced that when a public holiday falls on a Sunday, the following Monday will be a day off. The full calendar can be found in our guide to... public holidays in Mauritius.

Family leave

The same budget announced an extension of maternity leave to twelve months — six months at full pay and six optional months at half pay —, paternity leave increased to six weeks, and the introduction of paid menstrual leave of one day per month for women suffering from severe symptoms.

These measures are announced with a phased implementation. Check their actual application with your employer or the Ministry of Labour before basing your family plans on them.

The pace and culture of the company

The work week is longer than in France. Mauritian corporate culture combines a fairly pronounced hierarchy with a high degree of courtesy in interactions: disagreement is rarely expressed directly, and direct insistence is frowned upon. Administrative processes are slower than in Europe.

This is the adjustment most often cited by European managers in their first year, and the most underestimated before departure. It's not a matter of technique but of observation: take the time to watch how your colleagues express a refusal before you do the same. Networking, informal and ongoing on an island of this size, does more for a local career than any application.

The Permanent Residence Permit is a title of twenty years, renewableIt is not obtained through seniority: five years under an existing permit are required, but not sufficient. Financial thresholds must also be met in the five years immediately preceding the application.

For the two categories covered in this guide:

• Professional — five years of a valid professional Occupation Permit or Work Permit, with a monthly base salary of at least 400,000 rupees for five consecutive yearsThe application must be submitted no later than six months after to have met the criterion.
• Self-employed worker — five years of independent Occupation Permit, with an annual business income of at least 3 million rupees over each of the five yearsOr a cumulative revenue of 15 million during this same period.

Consider these figures before drawing up a five-year plan: a basic salary of 400,000 rupees is eight times the entry threshold for a professional Occupation Permit. Permanent residency is not the natural outcome of a successful expatriation; it is a status reserved for those with significantly above-average financial means. The vast majority of foreign residents remain permanently on a renewable ten-year permit, which is far from being a last resort.

Immediate practical consequence: keep everythingPayslips, contracts and amendments, annual accounts, sales figures. The demonstration covers five consecutive years and cannot be reconstructed retroactively.

Other pathways to permanent residency — investor, Retiree, real estate purchase, golden Visa — As well as the mechanism for switching to the retiree category are detailed in the installation guide.

• Negotiate a package deal instead of a base salary. Only the basic salary counts towards the 50,000 rupee threshold. Housing and transport allowances are not included in the calculation.
• An imprecise contract. It must include the full name as it appears on the birth certificate, the name of the company, the job title, the duration and the basic monthly salary.
• The spelling of the name varies from one document to another. This is the most foolish and frequent cause of blockage.
• Requesting a criminal record check too early. It must cover ten years and be less than six months old: Between the apostille and the filing, the window is narrow.
• Arrive at the appointment alone. For a professional permit, the employer — director or HR representative — must be present.
• Forget the originals. The uploaded documents must also be presented in their original form on the day of the appointment.
• Arrive with a tourist visa to work while waiting. Prospecting is legal, working is not, and the 180-day calendar year counter keeps ticking.
• Taking on a Mauritian client under Premium Visa. This is a violation of visa conditions, not a grey area.
• To believe that YPOP is renewing itself. Three years, non-renewable, and exit requires reaching 50,000 rupees of basic salary.
• Relying on the spouse's permit to work. The residence permit of dependents does not confer any right to hold a job.
• Leave the bank guarantee out of the contract. Who advances it, who recovers it and under what conditions: to be written in black and white.
• Resigning in Europe before having the license in hand. Nothing is certain until the title is issued.
• Allow the six-month permanent residency period to pass. The application must be submitted no later than six months after meeting the criteria.
• Rely on figures from before 2026. 35,000 USD for the independent, 30,000 rupees for the YPOP, an Expert status at 250,000 rupees, a flat tax of 15%: none of this is accurate anymore.

Go through it in order and tick off the boxes as you go. It covers both departure and arrival: it's often the exit from the country of origin that is botched, not the entry into Mauritius.

Three months before departure — the documents

• Check the validity of your passport, allowing a comfortable margin beyond your arrival date.
• Gathering original diplomas and professional certifications
• Gather work certificates and letters of recommendation
• Have any document that is neither in English nor French translated and certified by a competent authority.
• Request the birth certificate, marriage or divorce certificate, and the children's birth certificates.
• Identify the documents that will need to bear a apostille and identify the competent authority — a delay of several weeks

Three months prior — jobs and money

• Sign the employment contract with the Mauritian employer, verifying that the basic salary alone reaches the threshold of your category
• Check that the contract includes your full name as it appears on your birth certificate, the company name, the job title, the duration, and the monthly base salary.
• Clarify in writing who will cover the costs of the permit, medical examination, any required guarantee, and installation fees.
• Negotiate the rest of the package: accommodation, plane tickets, tuition, moving expenses
• Plan an initial setup budget: the first few months will include a security deposit, advance rent, potential agency fees, furnishing the accommodation, and a vehicle.
• Check if your profession is regulated and, if so, initiate registration with the Mauritian professional body.

Three months prior — health

• Get a complete medical check-up before departure
• Update vaccinations
• Take out international health insurance, checking that it covers medical evacuation — to do before the departure, the exclusions are difficult to negotiate afterwards
• Build up a supply of medication if you are undergoing regular treatment
• Have the prescriptions translated into english

Two months before — the permit

• The employer submits the application through The National Electronic Licensing System — or you yourself if it's a self-employment permit
• Request the certificate of good character, which must cover the last ten years and be less than six months old at the time of filing, then issue its apostille
• Have several copies of your passport photos Taken In Color, 3.5 × 4.5 cm.
• Budget for fees: from USD 150 to USD 1,000 depending on the permit and its duration, plus a non-refundable USD 50 processing fee.
• Ask the employer to clarify if a guarantee is required, its amount, who pays it upfront and under what conditions it is reimbursed — the EDB does not publish these amounts

Two months before — the logistics

• Book temporary accommodation for the first few weeks
• Start searching for your final accommodation, without signing remotely
• Booking plane tickets — without going to work on a tourist visa
• Organize the move or storage, and decide what you're taking.
• The case of animals, whose importation is lengthy and strictly regulated, must be addressed separately.

Two months before — leaving his country properly

• Inform your current employer and respect the notice period.
• Give notice to the landlord if you are a tenant, respecting the applicable notice period.
• Cancel subscriptions: telephone, internet, electricity, insurance, direct debits
• Deciding the fate of your bank accounts — keeping one is often useful
• Informing the tax authorities of your Departure is the key to avoiding unpleasant surprises like double taxation, and it should be addressed beforehand, never after.
• Have your financial situation reviewed by a professional if you hold company shares.

Two months before — the family

• Contact the schools: places are sometimes booked more than a year in advance.
• Retrieve school records and health records
• Submit applications for residence permits for your dependents at the same time as your own application to the Passport and Immigration Office.
• Discuss the project as a family, so that everyone is prepared.

One month before — the final steps

• Register with the register of French citizens living abroad, or its consular equivalent
• Establish a power of attorney if someone needs to manage your affairs locally.
• Arrange for mail forwarding
• Digitize all your documents and store them in an offline accessible format.
• Inform your bank of your move abroad and check the terms and conditions for using your card abroad.
• Bring cash for arrival

One month before — the practical

• Buy electrical adapters: Mauritian plugs are of the British type
• Bring sunscreen and mosquito repellent.
• Make photocopies of all important documents and leave a set with a close friend or relative.
• Join expat groups and networks to ask questions before you arrive
• Learn about local customs and a few words of Creole

The six checks before submitting the application

• Are all documents scanned in color and perfectly legible?
• Are the translations certified as accurate by a competent Authority?
• Are all the validity dates still valid — passport, certificate of good character, photos, medical certificate?
• Are all the required signatures present, including those of the employer on the Undertaking?
• Has the employer prepared their part: registration card, certificate of incorporation, shareholder register, presentation of the activity, licenses?
• Is your name written? exactly the same way on all documents? A second first name present here and absent there is enough to block a file.

The last week

• Confirm the temporary accommodation booking
• Check the status of your permit application and ensure you haven't cancelled anything irreversibly before it is issued.
• Print important documents: contract, Letter of agreement in principle, supporting documents, contacts
• Note down the employer's contact details and an emergency contact on site.
• Check baggage weight and customs allowances upon entry
• Prepare a first aid kit in your carry-on luggage
• Take all original documents from the file with you in the cabin.Including those already uploaded: they are required at the appointment, and a checked suitcase can arrive up to three days late

The first days in Mauritius

• Activate a local SIM card
• Moving into temporary accommodation
• Introduce yourself to the employer and complete the internal formalities
• Get your medical tests done at an accredited laboratory as soon as possible: the results take time and your file will have to wait.
• Go to the EDB meeting, accompanied by the employer for a professional license, with all the original documents
• Opening a Mauritian bank account: passport, letter of intent, proof of address, proof of income
• Start the search for permanent accommodation, without rushing to the first region visited.
• Register at the consulate

The first month

• Withdraw the permit and file applications for dependent residence permits
• Apply for your tax identification number from the Mauritius Revenue Authority
• Complete the Employee Declaration Form with the payroll department: they are the ones who set the monthly tax deduction.
• Sign the final lease and subscribe to electricity, water and internet
• Enroll the children in school
• Organizing travel: purchasing a vehicle or long-term rental, and registration if necessary
• Note the expiry date of the recognition of your foreign driving licence, so you can initiate the conversion process with the Traffic Branch in time.
• Make an appointment with a doctor
• Joining clubs, associations or professional events: on an island scale, networking makes a big difference.
• Start archiving pay slips, contracts and supporting documents: permanent residency must be demonstrated over five consecutive years and cannot be re-established retroactively

One last piece of advice. Print this checklist and tick things off as you go: it's planning ahead that makes for a smooth transition, not speed. And don't hesitate to ask your Mauritian employer for help—many actually support their international recruits during the transition, and they know the ropes better than you do.

Download the checklist in pDF Format

Economic Development Board

One-stop shop for Occupation Permits: professional, self-employed worker, young professional and investor.

• Ground floor, 7 Exchange Square, Wall Street, Ebene 72201
• Telephone: +230 203 3800
• Email: contact@edbmauritius.org
• Permit information portal: residency.mu
• Applications can be submitted via the National Electronic Licensing System: business.edbmauritius.org

Work Permit Unit, Employment Division

Under the supervision of the Ministry of Labour. Responsible for Work Permits and exemption certificates.

• Levels 10 and 11, Victoria House, at the corner of St. Louis and Barracks streets, Port Louis
• Telephone: +230 405 0100 and +230 405 0143 for reception
• Fax: +230 208 6252
• Email: emp@govmu.org
• Applications must be submitted online via the e-Work Permit portal: workpermit.mu

Passport and Immigration Office

Competent for residence permits: the one accompanying a Work Permit, and those of dependents of an Occupation Permit holder.

• 8th floor, Sterling House, Lislet Geoffroy Street, Port Louis

Mauritius Revenue Authority

Tax number, annual declaration, PAYROLL, CSG and NSF.

• Website and online services: mra.mu

Corporate and Business Registration Department

Registering a business activity is an essential prerequisite for obtaining a self-employed worker's permit.

• Website: companies.govmu.org

Find job offers and salary benchmarks

• Myjob.mu — the most comprehensive job platform on the Mauritian market, across all sectors
• CareerHub.mu — well-tracked in technology and financial services
• The job section of the daily newspaper L'Express, on lexpress.mu
• Statistics Mauritius, on statsmauritius.govmu.org, provides data on average remuneration by sector.

The other contacts of the installation

Banks, French embassy, expatriate associations and networks, emergency numbers: see the contacts section of the installation guide, as well as our page emergency numbers in Mauritius.

A warning

Private websites mimic the presentation of Mauritian government services and charge for procedures that cost nothing, even collecting personal and banking data. Official government services are located on the govmu.org domain, in addition to edbmauritius.org, residency.mu, mra.mu, and workpermit.mu. Apart from the legally mandated permit fees and a USD 50 processing fee, the EDB does not charge for processing applications.

Is it possible to look for work locally with a tourist visa?

Yes. Prospecting, interviewing, and meeting potential employers and clients is perfectly legal. What is prohibited is working. The permit must be obtained before starting the job, and the tourist visa allows for a cumulative stay of 180 days per calendar year.

Who pays the permit fees?

The fees vary from USD 150 to USD 1,000 depending on the permit and its duration, plus a non-refundable USD 50 processing fee. While there's no legal requirement for the employer to cover these fees, it's standard practice for international recruitment. Make sure this is included in the offer letter, along with a section on guarantees.

Do you need a degree?

For the Professional Occupation Permit, diplomas and qualifications are among the required documents and are reviewed in relation to the position, without a formal equivalency procedure. For the YPOP, the Mauritian diploma itself is the entry requirement. For the self-employed, qualifications are requested, but the business plan and letters of intent are the deciding factors.

Will my spouse be able to work?

No, not with her dependent permit, which only authorizes residence. She needs her own permit: a professional Occupation Permit with her own contract, an independent contractor permit, or a Work Permit, depending on the position.

What happens if I lose my job?

The professional Occupation Permit is tied to the employment contract and does not survive its expiration. It requires either a new employer submitting a new application or a change of status. The EDB does not publish a grace period: contact them in writing without waiting for the permit to expire.

Is it possible to combine salaried employment and self-employment?

Not under a single title. The professional license authorizes the invest to work in a company without being employed by it or receiving a salary, and to hold shares in the company that employs you without being the majority shareholder. Carrying out your own business activity requires the corresponding permit.

How many employees can I employ as a freelancer?

Only one, and only one, local administrative employee. The scheme is designed for a self-employed professional. a Project that involves hiring falls under the investor Occupation permit.

Are regulated professions accessible?

Yes, but this practice requires registration with the relevant Mauritian professional body or organization—medicine, paramedical professions, engineering, banking, veterinary professions. This registration is a prerequisite for obtaining the license, and the process is separate: initiate it concurrently, not afterward.

Do we need to speak English?

No language test is required for any permit. In practice, English is the language of administration, contracts, and business; French is the language of daily communication in many companies; and Creole is the language of informal relationships. It is difficult to work in Mauritius without a working knowledge of English. A few words of mauritian creole are always well received.

How long does it take to get a license?

The eDB does not publish any processing times, and the durations announced by firms or online forums are not based on any official Source. what is certain is that the procedure takes place in two stages, with an intermediate agreement in principle, and that a missing, poorly translated, or outdated document will set the case back.

What should I do if my application is rejected?

The EDB (Employment and Business Law Department) indicates the reasons. The most frequent causes are a base salary below the threshold, a qualification deemed unrelated to the position, or an incomplete application. Depending on the reason, it may be possible to correct and resubmit. Request written clarification from the EDB regarding the reason before compiling a new application, and seek assistance if the refusal concerns a point of law.

Can I buy real estate with my work permit?

Yes. An Occupation Permit holder can acquire residential property developed under an IRS, RES, PDS, or Smart City Scheme, as well as an apartment in a building with at least two stories above ground level. Conditions, prices by region, and the procedure are detailed in the guide to buying property when you are a foreigner.

What if I want to stay after retirement?

The retirement residence permit is available from the age of fifty, provided that USD 24,000 per year, or USD 2,000 per month, is transferred to a Mauritian bank account. It prohibits employment but allows investment. See the Retirement Guide to Mauritius.