Business activities which qualify under the Scheme are as follows:

• Manufacturing Operational headquarters of multinational companies Hotel, tourism and related services Freeport Operations
• Financial Services

• Information technology Agro-based industry Concession projects Fishing and marine resources
• Film production

Alternatively, investment of the same amount (USD 500,000) in the Permanent Resident Investment Fund is also regarded as an investment in a qualifying business activity. This Fund has been established by the Minister of Finance and is operated and managed by the Accountant General.

Procedures to obtain Permanent Residence

Applications for Permanent Resident Status should be made on the prescribed form which may be obtained at M.E.D.I.A. (Mauritius Export Development and Investment Authority), and the Diplomatic Missions and Consular Offices of Mauritius abroad.

There are two stages to completing the application process:
Stage 1 :

Approval in principle Investors should submit to the Executive Chairman of M.E.D.I.A. the following, concurrently:

(a) Application for approval of the investment (use prescribed forms whenever required). The Investment should be either in a qualifying business activity or in a duly approved fund.

(b) Application for approval of Permanent Residence Status for the investor, his spouse and His dependents (use prescribed form).

Stage 2 :

Grant of Permanent Resident Status Upon grant of approval in principle, the full amount of the investment should be effected or Alternatively an amount of US$500,000 (or equivalent amount) should be deposited with the Accountant General , pending finalisation of the investment. M.E.D.I.A. will be pleased to provide advice on how to complete the application formalities.

Loss of Permanent Residence Status

The Permanent Resident Status may be withdrawn where:

(a) any person has willfully made any false statement or misled or attempted to mislead the immigration officer with respect to an application for a Permanent Resident Permit;

(b) within a period of 5 years of becoming a permanent resident, any person ceases his business activities or reduces the sum invested to an amount less than US$500,000 (or equivalent amount);

(c) the investor has been declared bankrupt;

(d) the person holding a Permanent Resident Status has been convicted of a criminal offence carrying a term of imprisonment of not less than 12 months.

Right to Buy Property

Investor can acquire for residential purposes only:

(a) A flat or portion of land or immovable property not exceeding 1.25 arpents

(b) Should be at least 100 metres away from sea frontage

1. The investor may be issued with a multiple entry visa valid for a period of up to one year pending the grant of Permanent Resident Status.
   
   
2. The investor and his dependents who are granted Permanent Resident Status under the Permanent Residence Scheme will be exempted from the requirements of a work permit under The Non-Citizens (Employment Restriction) Act.

Citizenship of Mauritius

The investor who becomes a permanent resident under the Permanent Residence Scheme may apply for Mauritian citizenship after meeting the provisions of the Mauritius Citizenship Act(1968).

INTEGRATED RESORT SCHEME (IRS)

What is the Integrated Resort Scheme (IRS)?

The IRS is basically a project for the construction and sale of luxury villas to foreigners in an idyllic setting near th beautiful coastal region of Mauritius. The acquisition of a villa for residential purposes only by a foreigner under the Scheme will allow the foreigner and his family to reside in Mauritius as long as he holds the property.

The luxury villas

Villas sold under the scheme form part of a complex of luxury villas of international standard and high-class facilities and amenities such as: golf course, marina and individual swimming pool, nautical and other sport facilities, health and beauty centres, high class restaurants amongst others. Maintenance, waste disposal, gardening, security and other household services are also included.

The extend of land in respect of each villa shall not exceed 1.25 arpents (0.5276 hectares). The villa can be acquired on the basis of a plan or during the construction phase.

Residence Permit under IRS

The acquisition of a villa under the Scheme shall grant resident status to the investor, his spouse and dependents. A residence permit granted under the IRS shall remain in force until such time as the non-citizen holds immovable property in Mauritius under the scheme. Application for Residence Permit shall be made at the time of applying for IRS.

Who can apply to buy a villa under IRS?

Any one of the following can apply under the Scheme:

Selling back of immovable property

Possible provided written notice is given to the Board of Investment 30 days prior to the sale. Resident Status will be lost on selling back the villa.


SCHEME TO ATTRACT PROFESSIONALS FOR EMERGING SECTORS (SAPES)

Mauritius has become a safe and major financial hub of the southern hemisphere over the last decade. SAPES is a new Scheme to attract non-citizens professionals with talent, expertise and skills in emerging sectors to come, work and live in Mauritius with the aim to provide professional services of the highest standard to investors.

The sectors covered under SAPES are:

Incentives under SAPES

» For more info