Occupation Permits & Permanent Residence

Conditions for acquiring permanent residence are described in the Business Facilitation Act.

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.

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.

The procedure is as follows:

• Register with the Board of Investment.

• Submit medical results and documents.

• Apply for Occupation Permit.

It is understood that these can all be done at the same time.

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.

*Professional: this was announced in the budget of June 2007 and as yet, we have not seen any published regulations so this is our best guess of how it is.

Permanent Residence Permits are issued after three years to:

• Investors - with a turnover of Rs15 million per annum for the past three years.
  Self Employed - with an income over Rs3 million per annum.

• Professionals - with a salary exceeding Rs150 000 per month (approx $5000).

• Retired Non - Citizens - who must have brought in $40 000 for the past three years.

• Please note that this permanent residence is only available for ten years. It is unclear what happens thereafter, but assuming that the permanent residency lapses, so does the right to own property. In terms of current legislation it would be possible at this stage to start all over again with a three year residence permit or occupational permit followed by a reapplication of permanent residency for another ten years.

Spouses and dependents of Permanent Residence Permit holders may also live, work and invest in property in Mauritius.

Tour Operator License No. 02293

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