Work permits and visas in Mauritius: an employer’s guide

Many remote workers or digital nomads choose to live in Mauritius to take advantage of the tropical climate and relatively low living expenses. 

Despite its business-friendly reputation, Mauritius still has immigration, taxation, and labor laws that must be followed. Hiring remote workers in Mauritius, or relocating your current workers to Mauritius, can bring about additional complications around visa applications, uncertain legal statuses for your employees, and questions about tax liability. 

Though remote work brings ample benefits to your business and employees, it’s essential to pay close attention to all Mauritian laws and regulations regarding non-citizen residents. Failure to stay compliant with Mauritian laws can result in hefty fines, legal issues, and even imprisonment or deportation of your employees. 

Read on to learn about the most important considerations when hiring remote employees in Mauritius. You can also look into many of Remote’s global employment services to make the relocation and hiring processes much easier. 

The importance of immigration compliance in Mauritius

The Mauritian government remains diligent in enforcing existing immigration and labor laws. 

Because of the country’s relative ease of entry, many remote workers enter Mauritius on a tourist visa and quickly begin working there without vetting their legal status. Many employers in other countries are often quick to hire these workers without analyzing their visa situation and whether they have proper work authorization. 

If a non-citizen of Mauritius is found to be working in the country without a proper work visa, they may face a fine of up to 100,000 Mauritian Rupees and imprisonment of up to five years. 

Ultimately, it’s vital for your company to proactively ensure compliance with all immigration and labor laws in any country where you are hiring remote workers, even if it is a country as remote-work-friendly as Mauritius. 

Who is eligible to work in Mauritius?

Mauritius determines work eligibility in terms of citizenship or visa status. 

Citizens of Mauritius who are currently living there do not need any authorization to begin working.

Non-citizens of Mauritius who are looking to work may require a specific visa to be legally eligible. Under Mauritian law, the situation is slightly complicated because Mauritius has separate work and residency permits. In most cases, a non-citizen who wants to live and work in Mauritius will need to have both documents. 

Workers may also possess an occupation permit, which is a visa that combines both residency and work authorization. However, this type of visa has additional requirements in terms of income and employment. Generally, non-citizens in Mauritius will need to establish consistent income or employment to apply for an occupation permit. 

Do non-citizens need a work visa or work permit in Mauritius?

The specific residency and Mauritius work visa requirements for non-citizens depend largely on the country they are from and the work that they are doing. If a non-citizen is married to a Mauritian citizen, they do not require a Mauritius work permit to legally work there. 

Currently, citizens of most countries can enter Mauritius for 90 days without applying for a specific visa beforehand. The exceptions are citizens from certain countries who must apply for a visa beforehand.

During this 90-day period, these temporary residents may work remotely for a company located outside of Mauritius on their tourist visa. However, temporary workers who are non-citizens cannot work longer than 90 days on this visa and will usually need to apply for the relevant visa to live and work in Mauritius legally.

In some cases, however, non-citizens in Mauritius may get a Certificate of Exception from the Mauritian government that allows them to work without the standard work visa. Mauritius also offers a useful “premium visa” for non-citizens looking to work remotely from Mauritius for longer time frames. 

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What are the eligibility requirements for a work visa in Mauritius?

Applicants for a Mauritius work visa must first be able to enter the country legally. If the worker is from one of the exempted countries, they must apply for a special entry visa before entering the country. The application can be made at either a Mauritian embassy or online. 

Once an applicant can legally enter Mauritius, they must apply for the relevant visa. In most cases, the Mauritius work visa is the standard visa for non-citizens looking to work in Mauritius. Work visa applications require proof of employment in the form of an employment contract that has been approved by the Ministry of Labour, Human Resource Development and Training.

An employee looking to apply for a Mauritian Occupation visa must be a sponsored professional, an investor, or a self-employed worker. To qualify, they must demonstrate either an official sponsorship from an employer, proof of investment in a Mauritian business, or a sufficient and reliable income through self-employment. Applicants must also demonstrate that they have sufficient health insurance during their stay. 

Currently, Mauritius also offers a Premium Visa specifically to remote workers, or “digital nomads.” However, these specialty visas are only for specific lengths of stay, as applicants will need to provide a return plane ticket already purchased at the time of application. In addition to the return ticket, applicants will need a valid passport, proof of accommodation in Mauritius, proof of health insurance during their stay, and evidence of a reliable income of at least USD 1,500 per month. 

What are the long-stay visa types in Mauritius?

In addition to its shorter-term tourist, work, and premium visas, Mauritius offers a few long-term stay options. 

The Occupation Visa, as stated previously, combines a work and residency visa that allows residents to live and work in Mauritius legally. Mauritius also offers student visas for students enrolled in a Mauritian school or institute of higher education. 

If a resident has been legally working in Mauritius for three years, they may apply for a Permanent Residence permit. Despite its name, the Permanent Residence permit is only valid for ten years. 

Finally, Mauritius also offers a special Permanent Residence permit for retirees. Retired individuals are eligible for a Retired Non-Citizen visa if they have legally lived in Mauritius for at least three years and have at least USD 54,000 in transferable funds. Finally, investors who have invested at least USD 375,000 in a Mauritian business may be eligible for a 20-year Residence Permit.

How do you get a work visa for Mauritius?

Applicants for a Mauritius work visa will need to fill out an application form online. In addition to the completed application, applicants will need to submit:

• A copy of a valid passport

• Four passport-sized photos

• Documents detailing the applicant’s professional qualifications

• A description of the applicant’s job in Mauritius

• A completed data sheet

• A certificate of good health from the Mauritian Ministry of Health and Quality of Life

• The employer’s Certificate of Incorporation In Mauritius

• The Contract of Employment approved by the Mauritian Labour Division

What is the process for employee work visa sponsorship in Mauritius?

When sponsoring an employee in Mauritius, employers may have to submit an employment contract to the relevant government agency for verification. If a company has a presence in Mauritius, it may also have to submit its Certificate of Incorporation. 

If your company is not based in Mauritius, or if you do not have any kind of established presence in Mauritius, you may consider using an international employer of record (EOR) to verify your employee’s status in the country. 

What are the visa requirements for digital nomads in Mauritius?

As stated previously, Mauritius is one of the small but growing number of countries that offers unique visas for digital nomads. In Mauritius, these types of workers can apply for a Premium visa. These visas allow foreign workers to stay in Mauritius for up to one year while working remotely. 

However, Mauritian residents on Premium Visas will not be able to work for Mauritian companies. Therefore, to qualify for this visa, applicants must prove that their source of income is outside Mauritius. 

How Remote makes compliance in Mauritius easier

International relocation and remote work can create stress for employers and employees alike. The process of juggling visas, immigration documents, and taxation issues can quickly become too complicated to manage. 

An employer of record can hire workers on your behalf and allow you to manage and pay team members globally with ease.

Of our many services, Remote can help you with:

• Fulfilling requirements for immigration and visas

• Understanding international taxation 

• Avoiding permanent establishment risk 

• Stay compliant with local employment laws.

We handle the hassles involved in international hiring, visas, payments, and employee relocation so you don't have to. This way, you can focus on what matters most — running and scaling your business on a global scale.

Remote’s Relocation Guide is an excellent resource for navigating the often-complex world of work visas, relocation, and international taxation. You can also contact our Mobility experts for advice on the relocation process in Mauritius and beyond.

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