Persons eligible for residence status:

Permanent Residence can be granted for a period of ten years (it is unclear what happens after this time) if a non citizen has been in possession of an Occupation Permit for three years.  Permanent Residence Regulations are to be in force by end January 2009.

Occupation Permits (this is a combination Residence and Work Permit) are issued within a short period of time - see guidelines below - to the following applicants who have registered with the Board of Investment. 

IRS residents now qualify for Occupation Permits (June 2007).  It is unstated whether and how this permit can acquire Permanent Residence Status and allow the holder to purchase immovable property outside of the IRS. 

Conflicting messages have been given as to whether IRS residence is really Permanent Residence, or simply residence for as long as the property is held, and whether further property acquisition rights are attached.  Our current view, based on enquiries made to the Board of Investment, is that IRS ownership does NOT confer additional non IRS property acquisition rights on the holder. 

All will hopefully be revealed when the Permanent Residence regulations are published before end January 2009.

The procedure is as follows:

Register with the Board of Investment
Submit medical results and documents
Apply for Occupation Permit
 

The published guidelines do not cover all the requirements. Contact Frontfin before you visit Mauritius and we will plan and coordinate everything for you, making sure you bring the right documents with you, scheduling your medical, and liaising with the necessary government departments including the BOI.   This will save you a lot of time and frustration.  You should be in Mauritius for a week to get this all done.

The table below sets minimum qualification levels for Occupational Permits and Permanent Residence.  The Retiree gets a residence permit rather than an occupation permit.  Conversion to Permanent Resident requires performance for three years at this minimum level before being granted.

 

Category	Occupation Permit	Permanent Residency   Maintained for 3 Years
Investor	Turnover Rs3m p.a.	Turnover Rs15m p.a.
Self Employed	Income Rs600 000 p.a.	Income Rs3m p.a.
Professional	Salary Rs30 000 p.m.	Salary exceeding Rs150 000 pm ($5 000)
Retiree	$40 000 per annum	$40 000 per annum

Guidelines for applying for Permanent Residence Permit

Acquisition of residential property by holders
of Permanent Residence Permit

APPLICATION FOR ACQUISITION OF AN APARTMENT UNDER THE NON-CITIZENS
(PROPERTY RESTRICTION) ACT BY HOLDER OF A PERMANENT RESIDENCE PERMIT


Guidelines for obtaining an Occupation Permit

Application form for an Occupation Permit