Mauritius has a population of about 1.3 million and a nominal GDP of roughly US$15 billion, an upper-middle-income economy centred on financial services, tourism, and light manufacturing. It is a member of the African Union, SADC, and COMESA; its currency is the Mauritian rupee. Its Residence by Investment route is featured here.
Last Updated: August 5, 2026
Global Residency Programs Report: Mauritius
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Introduction
Mauritius’ Residence by Investment Rankings Snapshot
The Global Residency Programs Index 2026 compares 48 residency pathways across five dimensions: Procedure, Mobility, Tax Optimization, Quality of Life, and Investment. The overall score provides a high-level comparison, while the individual rankings help readers identify the strengths and trade-offs most relevant to their priorities.
Index | Ranking | Score |
|---|---|---|
Overall Ranking
| 35th | 81.66 |
Procedure
| 12th | 89.12 |
Mobility
| 36th | 82.9 |
Tax Optimization
| 28th | 77.08 |
Quality of Life
| 34th | 77.02 |
Investment
| 34th | 81.15 |
Mauritius’ Residence by Investment at Glance
Mauritius’s Residence by Investment
Mauritius offers residence through property acquisition in government-approved schemes, combining a stable jurisdiction with a favourable tax environment and Indian Ocean lifestyle.
Programme: Residence by Investment Legal basis: Immigration Act and the Non-Citizens (Property Restriction) Act; property-acquisition residence under the EDB Act and the PDS, IRS, and RES schemes Indicative minimum: USD 375,000 (real estate in approved schemes) Estimated processing: 2 to 3 months
Category | Details |
|---|---|
Legal Provision
| Residence/Occupation permits under the Immigration Act and the Non-Citizens (Property Restriction) Act; property-acquisition residence under the EDB Act and PDS/IRS/RES schemes. |
Region
| Africa |
Minimum Investment Threshold
| USD $375,000 (real estate in approved schemes) |
Year of Inception
| 2015 |
Visa-free Countries
| 155 = 92 (visa-free destinations) + 63 (visa on arrival/ETA) |
Investment Options
| The Mauritius Residence by Investment programme provides structured legal pathways for foreign nationals seeking long-term residency through capital deployment or employment. Under the Property Acquisition track, purchasing residential real estate valued at a minimum of USD 375,000 within a government-approved development scheme grants a permanent residence permit valid for the duration of property ownership. For business-driven individuals, the programme offers a 10-year residency via the Investor Permit, which requires a minimum capital injection of USD 50,000 into a locally incorporated Mauritian company, or the Self-Employed Permit, which demands a matching USD 50,000 investment into a professional activity paired with letters of intent from three potential clients. Alternatively, individuals aged 50 or older can secure a 10-year Retirement Permit by committing to a monthly capital transfer of at least USD 2,000 (or USD 24,000 annually) into a local bank account, or by acquiring life rights in a residential unit within an approved Property Development Scheme for senior living. Finally, the Professional Permit grants a 10-year residency to applicants who secure a localised employment contract yielding a minimum monthly basic salary of MUR 50,000 (approximately USD 1,100). |
Physical Presence Requirements
| Reside for tax; minimal for permit |
Family Member Inclusion
| Spouse, dependent children, parents |
Dual Citizenship Allowed
| Yes |
Path to Citizenship
| n/a via investment (ordinary naturalisation long) |
Average Processing Time
| 2–3 months |
Conclusion
The 2026 Global Residency Programs Index makes one thing clear: there is no single best programme, only the best fit for a given set of priorities. A decade of reform has left the sector more transparent, more compliance-driven and more diverse in the routes it offers (from regulated funds and entrepreneurial ventures to lifestyle and long-stay options) so that residency has matured into a credible, durable planning tool rather than a shortcut. Whether the goal is mobility, tax efficiency, quality of life or an eventual second passport, the value of this 2026 GRP Index lies in matching the right route to the right objective, grounded in evidence rather than marketing.
Footnotes
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