Last Updated: 28/09/2026
August 2026 update: Several thresholds in this guide were changed again by the Finance Act 2026 and the Economic and Financial Measures (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2026, gazetted on 13 August 2026. The Professional Occupation Permit now requires a minimum basic salary of MUR 50,000 per month across all sectors, and the Investor Occupation Permit now requires a single minimum investment of USD 100,000. The sections below reflect these changes.
Mauritius has made important adjustments to its immigration framework, with revised rules now in effect as of August 2025. For retirees, investors, and professionals, the changes influence both how permits are obtained and how they are maintained. The following guide explains the updates and their practical consequences.
Retirement Permit – A Shift Towards Full Residency
(See our full Retirement Permit guide for Mauritius)
The key changes:
- Permits now last 5 years (instead of 10), with the option to renew.
- Retirees must transfer at least USD 2,000 per month (or USD 24,000 per year) into a Mauritian bank account.
- A minimum of 180 days per year must be spent in Mauritius.
What this means in practice:
The new rules signal a stronger expectation that retirees base themselves in Mauritius for the majority of the year. This is less suited to those wanting only part-year residency and more aligned with applicants seeking long-term integration into Mauritian life.
Work Permits – Professionals, Young Professionals, and Self-Employed
(See our full Mauritian Work Visa guide)
Young Professionals
- Validity shortened from 3 years to 2 years.
- After this, applicants must transition to a standard Occupation Permit.
- Since August 2026, applicants need an undergraduate degree or an equivalent professional certification.
Professional Occupation Permit
- Minimum basic salary now MUR 50,000 per month across all sectors (updated August 2026, up from MUR 30,000 under the 2025 rules).
- The separate ProPass and Expert Pass categories have been discontinued and consolidated into the single Professional Occupation Permit.
- Existing permit holders: the previous criteria are reported to continue to apply at their first renewal.
Self-Employed
- Minimum investment raised to USD 50,000.
- Restricted to the services sector only.
- Applicants must present letters of intent from three clients (two local).
- Business income targets (updated August 2026): at least MUR 2 million per year from the third year, rising to MUR 3 million from the fifth year for permit renewal. These replace the 2025 targets of MUR 750,000 in the first year, scaling to MUR 6 million cumulative over five years.
What this means in practice:
The young professional pathway has been clarified as a short-term entry route, requiring progression. Professionals will need to demonstrate higher earnings, and the self-employed category has become more selective – requiring stronger capital, client commitments, and performance targets.
Investor Occupation Permit: A Single USD 100,000 Route
(See our full Mauritian Investor Permit guide)
The two-route structure introduced in 2025 was replaced in August 2026 by a single route:
- Minimum initial investment of USD 100,000. The USD 50,000 option has been removed.
- Annual turnover of at least MUR 5 million from the third year.
- Annual turnover of at least MUR 8 million from the fifth year for permit renewal.
What this means in practice:
Investors can no longer enter at the USD 50,000 level, and the turnover tests now apply from year three rather than being spread over five years. Business plans should show a credible path to MUR 5 million in annual turnover by year three, and to MUR 8 million by the first renewal.
Permanent Residence – Raising the Bar
Permanent residence in Mauritius, which offers 20 years of stability, is still available, but the entry requirements have become significantly stricter:
- Investors: Must hold an OP for 5 years and achieve MUR 15M per year for 5 years (or MUR 75M cumulative).
- Professionals: 5 years’ experience with a salary of MUR 400,000/month.
- Self-Employed:MUR 3M/year for 5 years (or MUR 15M cumulative).
- Retirees: Transfer USD 200,000 over 5 years.
What this means in practice:
The route to permanent residence is now designed to recognise individuals and businesses who deliver sustained and measurable contributions to the Mauritian economy. Applicants should view this as a long-term goal requiring early financial and residency planning.
Final Thoughts
The August 2025 changes represent a tightening of Mauritius’s immigration pathways, shifting the focus towards applicants who are ready to commit financially, professionally, and in terms of residency.
Further changes followed in August 2026. The Finance Act 2026 and the Economic and Financial Measures (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2026, both gazetted on 13 August 2026, raised the Professional Occupation Permit salary threshold, removed the USD 50,000 investor route, abolished the Family Occupation Permit and introduced a Golden Visa for non-citizens who invest at least USD 1 million in a business activity within 12 months.
While these updates introduce new challenges, Mauritius remains an attractive option for those seeking to build a future here. The island continues to welcome retirees, professionals, and investors. But success now depends on careful preparation and compliance with the updated criteria.
Written by Kyle Noel Glover, Marketing Lead
