What are the new residence permits in Mauritius in 2025?

Magellan’s complete guide for expats, investors, and professionals

Mauritius remains a magnet for professionals, investors, and retirees from around the world thanks to its favorable tax system and exceptional quality of life. However, in 2025, choosing the proper residence permit is about more than simply knowing the different categories available: every profile—whether employee, entrepreneur, or investor—requires a tailored strategy to secure a smooth relocation and optimize long-term plans on the island.

Magellan gives you an insight into the available permits, financial requirements, administrative procedures through the National Electronic Licensing System (NELS), and strategies to access Permanent Residence (PRP). Contact Magellan today for personalized support and to make your move to Mauritius easier.

The different categories of Residence Permits in 2025

Mauritius provides a wide range of permits to suit the needs of expats and investors:

Occupation Permit – ProPass: Intended for employees, with a minimum salary of MUR 30,000 per month. Its validity depends on the work contract, with a maximum duration of 10 years.

Occupation Permit – Expert Pass: Reserved for highly qualified professionals, with a minimum salary of MUR 250,000 per month, with the same conditions as the ProPass.

Young Professional Occupation Permit (YPOP): Intended for foreign graduates who studied in Mauritius, with a minimum salary requirement of MUR 25,000 per month. It is valid for up to 3 years.

Self-Employed Permit: Designed for the self-employed, consultants, and freelancers, it requires an initial investment of USD 50,000, three letters of intent (including two from local clients), minimum revenue of MUR 750,000 in the first year, and a cumulative turnover of MUR 6 million over five years. It also allows the hiring of one administrative employee and opens the door to PRP after five years, subject to conditions.

Investor Permit: It comes with multiple options depending on initial investment and projected turnover, ranging from USD 50,000 to USD 100,000, with the possibility of acquiring residential property.

Retired Permit: It is intended for foreigners over 50, requiring regular transfers of USD 2,000 per month or USD 24,000 per year. While holders are not allowed to work, they are eligible for a PRP after five years if financial requirements are met.

Dependent Permit: Intended for spouses, children, and dependent parents, it does not allow employment without a separate work permit.

Permanent Residence Permit (PRP): It is available after five years under an Occupation or Retired Permit, provided specific financial thresholds are met depending on the applicant’s category.

Premium Visa: It is designed for digital nomads, retirees, or tourists seeking long stays without an Occupation Permit.

Family Occupation Permit: It is intended for families investing and relocating, requiring a non-refundable USD 250,000 contribution to the COVID-19 Projects Development Fund. Family members may work after approval.

This broad selection makes it possible to choose a permit perfectly suited to your professional, personal, and family goals.

Financial criteria and strategies for securing your stay

Each permit comes with specific financial conditions, such as minimum salaries, initial investments, or turnover thresholds. Here are the key points to keep in mind when applying for your permit:

Self-Employed Permit: Obtaining this permit requires at least MUR 750,000 in revenue in the first year and MUR 6 million over five years. This means careful preparation of your business plan and letters of intent is essential.

Investor Permit: This one offers flexibility depending on your initial contribution and expected turnover. This lets you align the project with your financial capacity and ambitions.

Retired Permit: Eligibility for this permit requires consistent fund transfers to Mauritius and a five-year financial plan to qualify for PRP. Planning ahead ensures stability and peace of mind during your relocation.

Streamlined procedures with NELS

The National Electronic Licensing System (NELS) centralizes all administrative steps for residence permits and business licenses. It allows you to:

• Submit and track applications in real time.
• Pay fees securely.
• Access more than 100 public agencies through a single interface.

Using NELS effectively reduces delays, limits errors, and makes obtaining the right permit easier. Investors and self-employed applicants should ensure all documents are prepared in advance to strengthen their application.

Permanent Residence in Mauritius and long-term planning

The Permanent Residence Permit (PRP) is the ultimate goal for most expats and investors. It becomes accessible after five years under an Occupation or Retired Permit, provided you meet strict financial requirements, for instance, income thresholds for professionals, fund transfers for retirees, and turnover for the self-employed and investors.

Planning for this step from the start allows you to:

• Build a financial record in line with requirements.
• Ensure consistent investments and income streams.
• Prepare all supporting documents in the six months leading up to eligibility.

This long-term strategy ensures a stable future in Mauritius and opens doors to secure real estate and business investments.

Five tips for choosing the right Residence Permit in Mauritius

1. Define your priorities: length of stay, income, investment, and family plans.
2. Compare the financial and administrative criteria of each permit.
3. Check long-term eligibility for permanent residence.
4. Prepare all necessary documents before submitting via NELS.
5. Seek expert support to avoid mistakes and optimize your application.

Magellan supports expats and investors at every stage, from choosing the proper permit to filing through NELS, and eventually transitioning to PRP.

Bottom line

In 2025, Mauritius provides a wide range of residence permits designed for employees, freelancers, investors, retirees, and families. With Magellan’s expertise, each applicant benefits from tailored guidance that simplifies the process and improves the likelihood of approval.

Whether you’re pursuing a professional career, investing, or moving with your family, selecting the right permit and preparing for permanent residence can be a clear and manageable journey. Contact Magellan today to ensure your relocation to Mauritius is a success.