Mauritius Permanent Residency By Investment Program: A Comprehensive Guide

Mauritius Permanent Residency By Investment Program: An Overview

The Mauritius Permanent Residency By Investment program offers a highly attractive and secure pathway for non-citizens to gain a long-term right to reside on the island in exchange for investment in high-end business areas.

To qualify for a Residence Permit, a non-citizen must make business investment in an approved scheme for a minimum price of USD $375,000 (or its equivalent in any hard convertible foreign currency). The funds used for the acquisition must be transferred to Mauritius from abroad.

For business investment, you must invest capital in industries that Mauritius is vigorously developing, such as agriculture, audio-visual and cinema, banking and financial services, construction, education, environmental and green industries, forestry and mining, information technology (IT), infrastructure development, insurance, leisure (tourism), manufacturing, and pharmaceuticals.

Acquiring property above this minimum threshold grants the investor and their eligible dependents a Residence Permit (RP) for so long as they remain the owner of the property. For all practical purposes, this provides Permanent Residency for the duration of ownership. Unlike some other visa types, there is no minimum stay requirement in Mauritius to maintain this permit, offering maximum flexibility for international investors.

To be eligible for the residency benefit, the property must be purchased under one of the Mauritian government’s designated real estate schemes, designed to facilitate foreign ownership in high-quality, sustainable developments.

1. Property Development Scheme (PDS)

The PDS is the primary and most common scheme, having replaced and refined the older Integrated Resort Scheme (IRS) and Real Estate Scheme (RES). PDS projects focus on developing an integrated, holistic community environment. They typically feature:

• Luxurious residential units (villas, apartments, duplexes).

   

• High-quality public spaces and recreational facilities.

   

• Professional estate management services.

• Strong commitment to environmental protection and sustainability.

   

2. Smart City Scheme (SCS)

The SCS encourages the development of self-contained, mixed-use smart urban centres. Investment in residential properties within these technologically advanced hubs, which integrate residential, commercial, and leisure spaces with modern infrastructure and cutting-edge connectivity, also qualifies for the residence permit when the investment meets the minimum value.

3. Integrated Resort Scheme (IRS) and Real Estate Scheme (RES)

Though largely succeeded by PDS, properties purchased in existing IRS and RES developments still qualify for the Residence Permit, provided the initial purchase price met the relevant minimum thresholds. These schemes typically focus on high-end luxury resort-style living with world-class amenities like golf courses and marinas.

4. Invest-Hotel Scheme (IHS)

Under the IHS, a non-citizen can acquire a room, suite, or villa within a registered hotel. The unit must be leased back to the hotel for management, providing rental returns to the owner, while the investor retains the right to occupy the unit for a specified number of days per year (typically up to 45 days). An investment of USD $375,000 or more in an IHS unit also grants the Residence Permit.

5. Ground Plus Two (G+2) Apartments (with Condition)

Non-citizens are permitted to purchase an apartment in a building of at least two floors above ground floor (G+2). However, a Residence Permit is only granted under the G+2 scheme if the purchase price is USD $375,000 or more. Lower-priced G+2 properties are accessible to foreigners but do not automatically grant residency.

Benefits Of This Program:

The Permanent Residency by Investment program is attractive not just for the right to reside, but for a host of financial, tax, and lifestyle advantages.

1. Favourable Tax Regime

Mauritius boasts one of the most attractive tax systems globally for high-net-worth individuals:

• No Capital Gains Tax on the resale of the property.

   

• No Inheritance Tax on direct descendants.

   

• A low, flat personal and corporate income tax rate of 15%.

   

• No Wealth Tax or Property Tax.

   

2. Right to Work and Invest

The Residence Permit holder, by virtue of their investment, is exempted from the requirement to hold a separate Occupation or Work Permit to invest and work in Mauritius. This grants the investor significant freedom to pursue business ventures or take up employment on the island, a massive advantage not offered by the Retirement Visa alone.

3. Pathway to Citizenship

While the program does not offer direct citizenship by investment, it provides the essential foundation: permanent residency. After holding continuous residency for a prescribed period, typically seven years (five years for Commonwealth citizens), the investor may become eligible to apply for Mauritian citizenship through naturalisation, subject to all other legal requirements.

4. Quality of Life and Stability

Mauritius offers exceptional quality of life, characterised by:

• Political and Economic Stability: A robust democracy and one of Africa’s most successful and secure economies.

   

• Strategic Location: Excellent connectivity via a major international airport and a strategic time zone bridging Africa, Asia, and Europe.

   

• Multicultural Environment: A safe, bilingual (English and French), and culturally diverse society.

   

• World-Class Infrastructure: Developed private healthcare, education (with international schools), and modern communication networks.