Introduction
Mauritius offers several work permits, each designed to cater to different categories of foreign workers and their specific needs. The specific requirements and conditions for each type of work permit may vary, so it’s essential to understand the one that aligns with your situation.
In this article, we’ll touch on the types of available Mauritian work permits, as well as the basic requirements for dependents and their respective permits.
Occupation Permit
The Occupation Permit (OP) is a comprehensive work permit that combines various categories of work permits, including the Investor, Professional, Self-Employed, and Salaried Worker Occupation Permits. It allows foreign nationals to live and work in Mauritius and is valid for up to 10 years. The permit is also renewable.
The OP is further divided into several subcategories based on the type of work, investment, or income level. The specific requirements and conditions can vary for each subcategory.
Self-Employed Occupation Permit
This permit is for foreign nationals working in the services sector who want to establish and operate their businesses in Mauritius. They need to be registered with the Registrar of Businesses and work exclusively for your account.
The permit has specific business-related conditions, such as remaining a one-person operation and it requires a minimum investment amount. Furthermore, you must have a bank account in Mauritius with at least USD 35,000 in it.
The self-employed occupation permit is issued for 10 years and is renewable, provided the business effectively generates an income of at least MUR 800 000 per annum from the third year of its registration.
This permit also provides a route to Permanent Residence.
Short-Term Occupation Permit
As is self-explanatory, this permit is for those looking to spend only a small amount of time working in Mauritius. The short-term permit is only valid for a period of nine months. However, you can extend it for an extra three months at the discretion of Mauritius Immigration.
Both the short-term and long-term occupation permits require an employment contract with a local employer, accompanied by a detailed job description. While this can be troublesome for pure contract work you can apply to Mauritius Immigration for special permission even if you don’t have a local employer. Applications for special permission are granted more often than not.
There are certain rules that exist which enable you to convert your short-term permit to a long-term permit, provided you remain with the same employer. The onus is then on your employer to notify the Economic Development Board’s CEO of the conversion via a cancellation letter.
Professional Occupation Permit & Young Professional Occupation Permit
The Professional Occupation Permit is for foreign professionals who have secured a job offer in Mauritius. It is typically issued to individuals with specialised skills or qualifications.
You need a professional occupation permit (POP) and a young professional occupation permit (YPOP) if you already have an employment contract with a company in Mauritius.
You can apply for a YPOP if you’ve graduated from a university or college in Mauritius and are employed by a company in Mauritius.
Both POPs and YPOPs are valid for up to three years, although it does depend on the duration of the employment contract.
Premium Visa
It is also worth mentioning the Premium visa in Mauritius, also known as the Digital Nomad visa, which is mostly for those who want to move to Mauritius to work remotely. It is highly sought after given the lack of rigmarole for a full permit application.
The Premium visa is valid for a period of 12 months with a renewal option available, as well as the option to change your visa status within Mauritius to a long-term permit available.
Dependents And Their Permits
A Mauritian permit holder can bring a number of family members to Mauritius as Dependents. For an occupation permit, this includes the permit holder’s spouse, parents, and children. Although the list of dependents may vary slightly depending on the type of permit, the general consensus is that dependents are not allowed to work in Mauritius without their own permit.
Conclusion And Final Thoughts
While specific requirements, eligibility criteria, and application processes for the permits mentioned in this article may change over time, the general occupation permit remains one of the most sought-after work permits in Africa.
It’s important to remain up-to-date with the relevant authorities regarding information and guidelines for applications.
Written by Simon Carletti, PR and Creative Supervisor
