🇲🇺 Mauritius — Relocation Profile

Section: Part 1 (Main list · non-Muslim-majority) · Last verified: 2026-06-01 · Confidence: High (tax-rate section flagged — Mauritius shifted from flat 15% to progressive bands July 2025; confirm with MRA before filing) Written for: Canadian & American citizens · English-speaking audience (English is the official language of government, law, and business) CAD figures use ≈1.38 USD→CAD (June 2026). Local currency: Mauritian Rupee (MUR); ≈$1 USD ≈ MUR 46 (June 2026).

1. Scorecard

2. Why people move here

The pitch that fills every "we left it all for Mauritius" video: a genuine English-language island in the Indian Ocean where the government website is in English, the courts run in English, your accountant writes to you in English, and nobody looks puzzled when you call a plumber. That alone puts it in a different category from most tropical relocation destinations. Layer on a flat tax system (historically 15%, now modestly progressive but still among the lowest in the world at 0–20%), a quasi-territorial rule that only taxes foreign income if you remit it, and Africa's most peaceful country for 18 consecutive years — and you start to understand the appeal.

Retirees get a clean 10-year Retired Residence Permit at a modest $2,000/month bank transfer. Remote workers get a free Premium Travel Visa in about a week online. Investors can buy into an approved residential development and receive an automatic residence permit with their $375,000 purchase. The island is 35 minutes from end to end, crime is low (petty theft the main risk), beaches and hiking co-exist, and Creole cuisine is underrated.

The honest catch: Mauritius is a 4-hour flight from the nearest continent (Réunion aside), evacuation or specialized medical care means a long flight to South Africa or India, and costs — especially in the expat-heavy north and west — are higher than most of Sub-Saharan Africa. The STR market is oversupplied (66% occupancy in 2026, C-grade yield), and property registration fees on approved schemes jump from 5% to 10% from 1 July 2026 — buy before that if property-scheme PR is the goal.

3. Pros & Cons

Pros

• Official English — government, courts, banking, business; no language barrier for North Americans
• Quasi-territorial tax on foreign income (taxed only if remitted); low progressive rates (0/10/20%)
• GPI #26 globally, #1 Africa for 18 consecutive years — very low violent crime
• Multiple, accessible residency routes: Premium Visa (free, 1 week), Retired Permit ($2K/mo), property PR ($375K)
• Sophisticated offshore banking / financial services sector; 19 commercial banks

Cons

• Remoteness: nearest continent (Réunion + Mozambique) is 4 hours; flights to North America involve connections through Dubai, Paris, or Johannesburg
• Public hospitals are free for permanent residents but under-resourced — specialist shortages are documented; complex care = medical evacuation
• STR (Airbnb) market oversupplied; gross yields average ~3–6%; C investability grade for short-term rentals
• No US–Mauritius tax treaty and no Canada–Mauritius tax treaty in force (info-exchange agreements only) — cross-border tax planning is essential
• Same-sex conduct was criminalized until 2023; now decriminalized but no marriage equality; LGBTQ+ visibility is low outside expat circles

4. Snapshot

5. Visas & Residency (Canadian / American passport)

Mauritius citizens are granted entry for 90 days (extendable once) on a standard tourist stamp. For longer stays, the EDB runs all major permit routes through a single online portal.

• Permanent Residency (20-year PRP): Available after 5 years on any Occupation Permit or Retired Permit, subject to elevated income/investment thresholds at time of application. Property-route holders may qualify earlier. (Sovereign Group, Nov 2025), verified 2026-06-01.
• Citizenship: Commonwealth citizens (Canada is eligible) require 5 years residence; other nationals (including Americans) require 7 years. Naturalized citizens generally cannot hold dual nationality without special approval; Mauritians by birth/descent may. Processing: 12–18 months. (Magellan.mu, 2025), verified 2026-06-01.
• Bureaucracy reality: The EDB is a single-stop English-language agency and is genuinely helpful and responsive. Applications are online. A local immigration lawyer or relocation consultant (~$800–2,000 for a full OP package) is helpful but not strictly required for simpler routes (Premium Visa, Retired Permit).
• Official portal: edbmauritius.org/work-live · Passport & Immigration Office: passport.govmu.org

6. Tax, Money & Banking

Tax system

Important update (July 2025): Mauritius abolished the long-standing flat 15% income tax and moved to a progressive system. The new individual rates effective 1 July 2025 are: 0% on the first MUR 500,000 of annual net income; 10% on the next MUR 500,000; 20% on the remainder. A "Fair-Share Contribution" of 15–20% applies to individuals with net income exceeding MUR 12–24 million (a very high bar — ~$260–520K USD). Corporate rate remains 15%. (PwC Tax Summaries Mauritius, 2025–26), verified 2026-06-01.

• Foreign income — quasi-territorial rule: Resident individuals are taxed on worldwide income, but foreign-source income is taxable only to the extent it is received (remitted) in Mauritius. Foreign income kept offshore is not taxed. (Mauritius Revenue Authority, foreign income page), verified 2026-06-01. This is a significant benefit: US/Canadian pensions, remote-work income wired to a North American account, and passive investment income that stays abroad are outside Mauritian tax reach.
• Capital gains: No capital gains tax in Mauritius — property appreciation, stock gains, and asset sales are untaxed.
• Dividends: Local company dividends are generally tax-exempt for individual shareholders.
• VAT: 15% standard rate; many basic goods zero-rated.
• Tax Residency: You are a Mauritian tax resident if present 183+ days in a tax year, OR 270+ cumulative days in the current and preceding two tax years. (MRA), verified 2026-06-01.
• Mauritius has 46 Double Taxation Agreements with countries across Africa, Asia, and Europe — but no treaty with the USA or Canada currently in force (a Canada-Mauritius treaty from 1951 was terminated; a new one is being negotiated). Information-exchange IGAs exist with both countries. (MRA DTA list), verified 2026-06-01.

🏦 Banking deep-dive

Mauritius is a bona-fide offshore financial centre with 19 licensed commercial banks supervised by the Bank of Mauritius, including MCB (Mauritius Commercial Bank — the island's largest, est. 1838), SBM Bank, AfrAsia Bank, and branches of HSBC, Barclays (Absa), and Standard Bank. This is more banking infrastructure than most tropical relocation destinations by a wide margin.

For residents with an Occupation Permit or Residence Permit: opening a standard current/savings account at MCB, SBM, or AfrAsia is straightforward — bring your passport, residence permit, and proof of local address. Budget 1–3 weeks. You can hold accounts in MUR, USD, EUR, or GBP. MCB's "Juice" app provides full digital banking. This is the target scenario for most relocating North Americans.

For non-residents (before residency is granted): Mauritius does offer offshore bank accounts to non-residents, but the minimum balance requirements are steep — typically $100,000, rising to $1,000,000 for higher-risk profiles. These offshore/Global Business accounts are designed for corporate or high-net-worth clients, not everyday expats. (Company Formation Mauritius, 2026), verified 2026-06-01. Practical advice: apply for your Premium Visa or Occupation Permit first; once in-country with a permit, standard retail banking opens up with no high-balance requirement.

What you can't easily do without a local account: pay local utilities, receive salary from a Mauritius-registered employer (required for OP-Professional), meet the Retired Permit's monthly transfer requirement. A local tax ID (TAN — Tax Account Number) is required for tax filing and is issued by MRA once you register; without it you cannot legally work or run a business locally.

🍁🇺🇸 CANADA vs USA — what's different

🇺🇸 Americans: The US taxes worldwide income regardless of where you live — you cannot escape US tax obligations simply by moving to Mauritius. You must still file a US return annually. FEIE (Foreign Earned Income Exclusion, $130K earned income for 2025) and the Foreign Tax Credit can significantly reduce or eliminate US tax on locally-earned income. FBAR is required if your Mauritian bank accounts exceed $10,000 at any point in the year; Form 8938 (FATCA) may apply above $200K overseas assets. There is no US-Mauritius tax treaty — meaning no reduced withholding on US-source income paid to a Mauritius-resident American (e.g., dividends from US brokerage). A FATCA/TIEA IGA was signed in 2013, so Mauritius banks do report US account holders to the IRS. Social Security is payable anywhere in the world. Budget for a US expat CPA ($500–1,500/yr).

🍁 Canadians: Canada taxes residents on worldwide income. To stop Canadian taxation, you must sever Canadian tax residency — this triggers a departure tax (deemed disposition of most assets at fair market value on departure day). RRSPs, RRIFs, and TFSAs are exempt from deemed disposition but subject to Part XIII non-resident withholding (25% standard; reduced rates under a treaty — but there is no Canada-Mauritius income tax treaty, so 25% withholding applies to CPP and OAS paid to a Mauritius resident). CPP is payable worldwide with no residency requirement. OAS requires 20+ years of residence in Canada after age 18 to receive outside Canada (or 10+ years with an in-Canada payment history and treaty — but the treaty gap is a complication). T1135 Foreign Asset Reporting applies only while you remain a Canadian tax resident. Consult a cross-border Canadian tax specialist before moving.

7. Cost of Living & Economy

Mauritius costs roughly 33% less than France and moderately less than major North American cities, per Numbeo Aug 2025. However, it is not cheap by African standards — imported goods (North American brands, cars, electronics) are expensive. The 2026 cost environment is actually slightly more favorable than 2025, with rents down ~5.3% year-over-year (the first decline in several years). (FromParis to Moris, 2026), verified 2026-06-01.

Key expenses (USD equivalents at MUR 46/$):

• Currency: The MUR is a managed float versus a USD/EUR basket; moderate inflation (~5–7% in recent years) but reasonably stable. (Bank of Mauritius), verified 2026-06-01.
• Economy: Upper-middle income; driven by tourism, offshore financial services, and a growing ICT sector. Well-functioning legal and banking systems; strong rule of law by regional standards.

8. Safety

• GPI rank #26 globally, #1 Africa for the 18th consecutive year (2025 Global Peace Index). verified 2026-06-01. Zero terrorism incidents; negligible political violence; very low homicide rate.
• Crime profile: Petty theft (pickpocketing, bag-snatching) is the main risk — concentrated in Port Louis city markets, beaches, and ATM areas after dark. Violent crime against foreigners is rare. (Canada travel advisory), verified 2026-06-01.
• 🇺🇸 US Advisory: Level 2 — Exercise increased caution (upgraded Dec 2025 from Level 1, reflecting rising petty-crime reports). Does not discourage travel. verified 2026-06-01.
• 🍁 Canada Advisory: Take normal security precautions (Level 1) — the safest category. verified 2026-06-01.
• Safe expat hubs: Grand Baie (north), Tamarin / Black River (west), Flic en Flac (west coast), Beau Vallon, Moka (central plateau — families).
• After-dark caution: Avoid deserted beaches at night; lock cars; be alert in Port Louis markets and busy ATM zones in Flic en Flac.
• Natural hazard: Cyclone season November–May; the island is well-prepared (concrete construction standard) but disruption is possible. Cyclone tracking is reliable; evacuation plans are in place.
• LGBTQ+ safety note: Same-sex relations were decriminalized October 2023 (UNDP); discrimination in employment is prohibited under the Equal Opportunities Act; no same-sex marriage. Public displays of affection remain socially cautious outside expat areas.

9. Healthcare

• Dual system: ~73% of healthcare needs are handled by the free public sector; the remaining ~27% by private providers. (Expat.com Mauritius health guide), verified 2026-06-01.
• Public healthcare access for residents: Free for citizens and permanent residents. Expats on Occupation Permits or Residence Permits can access public hospitals but will be billed — the full free entitlement applies to full PR holders and citizens. Premium Visa holders are not covered. (Healthcare guide, Harmonie estate), verified 2026-06-01.
• Public healthcare quality reality: Adequate for routine care, but there are documented specialist shortages — as of the most recent Medical Council data, Mauritius public hospitals had only 7 endocrinologists, 4 gastroenterologists, 9 cardiac surgeons, and no pediatric surgeons. Long waiting times for non-emergency cases. Budget 2025–26 for health was raised to Rs 18.5 billion, signalling government awareness. (Bijou Mauritius healthcare review), verified 2026-06-01.
• Private healthcare: High standard relative to the region; modern facilities; shorter waiting times; internationally trained specialists; English-speaking doctors standard. Among the pricier in Africa, but far below North American prices.
• Serious/complex conditions: Mauritius does not have a comprehensive tertiary-care centre for all specialties. Medical evacuation to South Africa (Johannesburg) or India (Apollo/Fortis) is the realistic path for complex oncology, advanced cardiac surgery, or organ transplant. Ensure your international health policy has medical evacuation coverage.
• Insurance: International expat plans from AXA, Allianz Care, William Russell, or BUPA run approximately $150–350/month for a healthy 40-year-old depending on coverage level and home-country exclusions. Local Mauritius-only plans are cheaper (~$50–100/mo) but exclude evacuation. (Pacific Prime, Mauritius), verified 2026-06-01.
• Dentistry: Private dentistry widely available; costs roughly 30–60% of North American prices.

10. Family & Education

• Public schools are free and compulsory from age 5. The medium of instruction is officially English, which is a significant structural advantage for English-speaking expat children — unlike most of Africa and many Caribbean islands where French or another language dominates. (Expat.com schools guide), verified 2026-06-01.
• Public school quality: Free but variable. Generally better organized than Sub-Saharan Africa's average; some schools are well-run, others suffer overcrowding and rote-teaching styles. Acceptable for younger children short-term; most longer-term expat families opt for private.
• Private / International schools: English-medium international schools are concentrated in Grand Baie, Moka, and Quatre Bornes. Cost range:
  • Clavis International Primary: MUR 13,150–19,250/month (~$285–418/mo)
  • Le Bocage International (IB curriculum): MUR 32,000–35,100/month (~$695–762/mo)
  • Westcoast International Secondary: MUR 60,000 registration + MUR 16,000/month (~$348/mo)
  • Full family budget for 2 school-age children at a good international school: MUR 700,000–1,200,000/year (~$15,200–26,000/yr) (Creole Mauritius international schools guide, 2026), verified 2026-06-01.
• University: The University of Mauritius and Université des Mascareignes offer English-medium programs at affordable fees; not relevant for most North American relocators but useful to know for older children.
• Childcare: Private crèches/nurseries are available; cost varies MUR 8,000–20,000/month.

11. Social Safety Net

• National Pension Fund (NPF) and National Savings Fund (NSF): Private-sector employees, including foreign workers, are covered from the first day of employment. Contribution rates: employee ~3% + employer ~6% (NPF); employee 1% + employer 2.5% (NSF). (US SSA global social security programs, Mauritius), verified 2026-06-01. Occupation Permit holders who are locally employed will accumulate pension credits.
• Universal old-age pension: Mauritius pays a universal non-contributory Basic Retirement Pension to all residents at age 60 (60+ for non-citizens requires 15 years of residency since age 40). Non-citizens are only eligible after meeting residency thresholds — this is not a relocation draw for North Americans who will bring their own pensions.
• Social aid / welfare: Social aid benefits are available to citizens only — non-citizen permanent residents are excluded from general welfare assistance. (ISSA Mauritius profile), verified 2026-06-01.
• Unemployment benefits: No general unemployment insurance system for non-citizens.
• Planning implication: Budget to be financially self-sufficient; the social safety net is not a factor for North American relocators. Your home-country pension (CPP/OAS or Social Security) is the foundation; supplement with private health and life insurance.

12. Property & Investment

• Foreigners can own freehold property in Mauritius — but only in approved government schemes (IRS, RES, PDS, Smart City, IHS, G+2). Direct purchase of resale residential property outside approved schemes is no longer available to non-residents following Finance Act 2025 changes effective December 2024. (Property Mauritius 2026 guide), verified 2026-06-01.
• Minimum for residence permit: USD $375,000 purchase price in any of the six approved schemes. This triggers automatic residence and work authorisation for the buyer and dependants. (Sovereign Group residency by investment), verified 2026-06-01.
• Payment rule (new Dec 2024): Non-citizens must pay 85% of the purchase price in Mauritius rupees, with only 15% in foreign currency. This requires having MUR available (via a local bank account) at settlement.
• Registration duty: Currently 5% on approved scheme property. Increases to 10% from 1 July 2026 — a material cost increase for buyers timing a purchase. (Mauritius property investment guide 2026), verified 2026-06-01.
• No capital gains tax on property sales.
• Rental yields:
  • Long-term residential yields: 3–6% gross in most areas; average nationally ~3.2% (Q1 2026). (Global Property Guide), verified 2026-06-01.
  • Beachfront apartments (Grand Baie, Pereybère): 6–8% gross short-term; 4–6% gross long-term.
  • Tamarin/Black River western villas: 4–6% gross long-term; strong capital appreciation (~35% over 5 years in some areas).
  • Net yield (after management 8–12%, maintenance 1–2%, vacancy 5–10%): deduct 3–4 percentage points from gross.
• Market trend: Residential Property Price Index +13.89% year-on-year in Q3 2025. (GlobalPropertyGuide price history), verified 2026-06-01. Prices are elevated; buy for lifestyle or PR route, not yield maximization.

13. Airbnb / Short-Term Rental (verify locally before purchase)

Mauritius requires a Tourism Enterprise License (TEL) from the Mauritius Tourism Authority (MTA) for any property rented for fewer than 90 days. Unlicensed STR is illegal under the Tourism Authority Act and the Business Registration Act. (Lodge Compliance Mauritius), verified 2026-06-01.

Licensing steps: Obtain a Business Registration Number (BRN) from the CBRD → apply to MTA for Tourism Enterprise License → obtain Fire Safety Certificate + Health Certificate → declare income to MRA.

Tax: Airbnb income taxed at 15% (corporate rate or personal income) on net profit after allowable expenses. VAT applies if turnover exceeds MUR 6 million/year (~$130K). Tourism Levy: 2% of total accommodation bill collected from guest and remitted to MTA. (Sparkeys Gestion, Airbnb taxation 2025), verified 2026-06-01.

Yield reality: The STR market is growing but oversupplied — active listings rose 23.2% YoY in 2026. Average annual Airbnb revenue per listing: ~$23,000 USD (~MUR 1.06M) at 66% occupancy and $96 ADR. Mauritius earned a C investability grade — in the lowest 38% of Sub-Saharan Africa for STR yield. (Airbtics Mauritius 2026), verified 2026-06-01.

Investor takeaway: Buy in Grand Baie or Tamarin for maximum STR demand. Underwrite conservatively on long-term yield (3–5% net) — do not rely on STR income to service a mortgage.

14. Doing Business & Dealing with Government

• English is the language of business and government — company registration forms, legal contracts, court filings, tax returns, and EDB communications are all in English. This is a genuine structural advantage: North American entrepreneurs do not need an interpreter to run a company in Mauritius. (EDB Mauritius), verified 2026-06-01.
• Company incorporation: 100% foreign ownership permitted in most sectors. Incorporation via the CBRD online portal (CBRIS) takes 1–3 working days at zero fee (registration fees waived since 2022). Share capital minimum: none. Sectors with local-ownership restrictions: retail trade below a threshold, sugar industry. (Mauritius Biz incorporation guide), verified 2026-06-01.
• Global Business Licence (GBL): For companies structured for international business (holding, fund management, cross-border services), a GBL is available in 2–4 weeks via the Financial Services Commission. Mauritius's 46 DTAs make GBL companies attractive for routing investment into Africa and Asia.
• Ease of doing business: Ranked 13th globally in the most recent World Bank Doing Business index (pre-discontinuation) and 15th in the 2025 Index of Economic Freedom, first in Sub-Saharan Africa. (Heritage Foundation, EDB Mauritius), verified 2026-06-01.
• Government services digital shift: The 2025–26 budget introduced a centralized digital licensing platform with AI-powered virtual assistant and KYC repository, reducing licensing timelines. EDB has a dedicated investor services desk and responds in English. Most permits are applied for and tracked online via NELS (National E-Licensing System).
• Corruption: Mauritius consistently scores in the top 10–15% globally on Transparency International's Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI); transactions generally proceed without unofficial payments.
• Banking bottleneck: A business bank account (once incorporated) takes 3–8 weeks due to AML/KYC due diligence — even for a clean, straightforward business. This is the realistic friction point, not the incorporation itself. Budget for it.

15. Lifestyle, Community & Language Access

• Expat community: Approximately 30,000 resident foreigners from South Africa, France, Germany, the UK, Switzerland, and — increasingly — the US (+40% YoY growth in American expats per recent data). The community is growing but relatively small compared to Panama, Portugal, or Thailand. (Smart Traveller Mauritius / Sotheby's Mauritius), verified 2026-06-01.
• Expat hubs: Grand Baie (north — beach lifestyle, restaurants, marina, international schools); Tamarin / Black River (west — surf, kitesurfing, quieter pace); Moka (central plateau — cooler, schools, newer residential); Flic en Flac (west coast — beach, mid-range prices).
• English in daily life: Very strong. As the official language, English is used in all government offices, hospitals, banks, courts, and large retailers. Street signs are bilingual (English/French). Mauritians commonly code-switch between English, French, and Creole — most urban professionals are trilingual. A North American can live comfortably for years without learning French or Creole, though some French helps in social settings.
• Arabic / Muslim community: Mauritius has an ~18% Sunni Muslim population (primarily Indo-Mauritian descent). Halal food is readily available in markets and many restaurants. Mosques operate freely. There are no Arabic government services; the Muslim community primarily speaks English, French, and Creole. Ramadan is observed but does not significantly affect daily commercial life.
• Climate: Northern and western coastal areas: warm year-round (24–34°C summer); cyclone season Nov–Apr requires preparedness. The central plateau (Moka, Curepipe, Vacoas) is 5–8°C cooler and wetter — preferred by families and those escaping coastal heat. No altitude sickness risk.
• Internet: 100% fiber FTTH rollout completed 2017; fixed speeds ~55 Mbps average nationally; urban coworking spaces offer 100 Mbps+. Mobile: 4G nationwide; 5G covering ~60% of population (Mauritius Telecom my.t + Emtel). Data: ~$10 for 10 GB. Reliable for video calls. (ConnectPls Mauritius 2025), verified 2026-06-01.
• Coworking: Premium beach-adjacent coworking runs $20–30/day or $300+/month. Spaces include Coworking Mauritius, The Hive (Grand Baie), and Regus. Co-living / remote-work resorts (Nomad Life Mauritius, The Remote Villa) run $800–1,200/month all-inclusive.
• Time zone: UTC+4 — comfortable overlap with Europe (same morning hours), decent overlap with Middle East; difficult overlap with North American time zones (EST is UTC-5, so Mauritius is 9 hours ahead — requires early morning/late afternoon scheduling for client calls).

16. Incentives

Mauritius actively recruits foreign talent, investors, and retirees through several formal incentive mechanisms:

• Premium Travel Visa — free and fast: A deliberate government tool to attract remote workers and digital nomads; zero cost, online application, ~1 week. No local tax obligation on foreign-source income that remains offshore. (EDB Premium Visa), verified 2026-06-01.
• Property-route Residence Permit: A $375,000 property purchase in an approved scheme delivers automatic residence and work authorisation — essentially a buy-to-reside incentive.
• No capital gains tax, no inheritance tax, no wealth tax: These absences collectively make Mauritius attractive for wealth-preservation structuring.
• EDB single-window: The Economic Development Board is a government agency whose explicit mandate is to attract investment. It provides free advisory services, permit processing, and aftercare support in English. This is a genuine soft incentive — bureaucratic friction is lower than most tropical alternatives.
• GBL tax structuring: Businesses using Mauritius as an international holding hub benefit from the network of 46 DTAs and the low 15% corporate rate. (See countries_that_want_you in platform.)
• Budget 2025–26 digital licensing reforms: Streamlined licensing, AI virtual assistant, and KYC repository — designed to accelerate time-to-market for new businesses. (EDB Mauritius budget 2025-26), verified 2026-06-01.

17. Resources

Official government:

• 🛂 EDB (visas, permits, investment): edbmauritius.org
• 🛂 Passport & Immigration Office: passport.govmu.org
• 💰 Mauritius Revenue Authority (tax): mra.mu
• 🏦 Bank of Mauritius (banking regulator): bom.mu
• 🏢 CBRD (company registration): cbrd.govmu.org
• 🏥 Ministry of Health: health.govmu.org
• 🏫 Ministry of Education: education.govmu.org

Home-country travel advisories:

• 🍁 Canada: travel.gc.ca/destinations/mauritius
• 🇺🇸 US State Dept: mu.usembassy.gov

YouTube / video channels:

• Expat in Mauritius (lifestyle, visa walkthroughs)
• New Horizon Mauritius (relocation series, practical setup)
• Smart Traveller MU (nomad and relocation content)

Guides & forums:

• newhorizon.mu — English-language expat guides
• fromparistomoris.com/en — cost of living, lifestyle
• mauritiusbiz.com — business and tax guide
• r/Mauritius · Expat Exchange Mauritius · "Expats in Mauritius" Facebook group (~8,000 members)

Relocation consultants / lawyers:

• TBI Mauritius (tbimauritius.com)
• Sovereign Group Mauritius (sovereigngroup.com/mauritius)
• Magellan Mauritius (magellan.mu)

18. First Steps

1. Pick your lane:

   • Remote worker / digital nomad → Premium Travel Visa (free, online, 1 week; renew annually)
   • Retiree 50+, monthly pension ≥ $2K → Retired Residence Permit (~6 weeks, very straightforward)
   • High-net-worth investor / wealth migration → Property Scheme ($375K purchase, buy before 1 July 2026 to capture 5% registration duty, not 10%)
   • Entrepreneur / local business → Occupation Permit — Investor (budget 4–6 months, turnover obligations are real — model your business first)

2. Do a 4–6 week scouting trip on a standard tourist entry (90 days allowed). Test Grand Baie vs. Tamarin vs. Moka. Open a Premium Visa while there so you can stay beyond 90 days without leaving.

3. Start your bank account early: Contact MCB (mcb.mu) or AfrAsia Bank (afrasiabank.com) before or immediately upon arrival with your permit. Without a local account you cannot meet the Retired Permit's transfer requirement or pay utilities.

4. Cross-border tax setup before you leave home:

   • Americans: confirm FEIE eligibility, FBAR/8938 plan, and whether your US brokerage will continue to service a Mauritius-resident account. Engage a US expat CPA.
   • Canadians: plan your Canadian departure tax event (deemed disposition date, RRSP/TFSA strategy, CPP/OAS withholding at 25%) with a cross-border Canadian accountant. Do not wing this step.

5. For property buyers: Act before 1 July 2026 to capture 5% registration duty (not 10%). Engage a Mauritius notary and a property lawyer; the 85%-MUR payment rule means you need a local bank account funded in MUR before settlement.

• Realistic timeline to "settled and legal": 2–4 weeks (Premium Visa) → 6–10 weeks (Retired Permit or Property route) → 4–8 months (Occupation Permit for investors/entrepreneurs).

19. Bottom line — by persona