August 17, 2023

An insight into the cost of settling and investing in Mauritius

The Economic Development Board (EDB) Mauritius provides an indicative list of expenses you should expect to incur as a foreign investor moving to Mauritius. Here’s what you need to keep in mind.

Start-up costs

The good news is that there are no incorporation fees when setting up a private or public domestic company in Mauritius. Registration by the continuation of a private or public domestic company and the registration of a foreign domestic company are free of charge too. The only fee payable at the time of incorporation is USD 45.

Working and living in Mauritius – prices in Rs and USD

The fee applied to the issuanc of a work permit in Mauritius is payable online on the EDB website. Here is an overview of the fees applied to the different types of permits intended for foreign investors in Mauritius:

  • Public company holding an Enterprise License: Rs 13,500
  • Private company holding a Business License: Rs 3,000
  • Authorized Company: USD 100
  • Foreign company – Registration: Rs 13,500 + Rs 200 for certificate
  • Non-citizen investor/self-employed/retired: USD 1,000
  • For foreign professionals under an employment contract in Mauritius, the fees are as follows:
  1. less than 2 years: USD 400
  2. more than 2 years, but less than 3 years: USD 500
  3. more than 3 years, but less than 5 years: USD 800
  4. more than 5 years, but less than 10 years: USD 1,000
  • Short-Term Occupation Permit (for a period not exceeding 9 months): USD 300
  • Subsequent extension, for a period not exceeding 3 months: USD 150
  • Dependents of a Work or Residence Permit holder: USD 400 per dependent.

Work permit costs in Mauritius

Employers in Mauritius are required to pay a processing fee of Rs 700 for each work permit application. Once the application has been approved, the prescribed work permit fee and the annual fee specified in the following sections must be paid within one month. If the payment has not been made within this period, the work permit will no longer be valid. Here are some examples:

Employees in the manufacturing industry:

  • Rs 1,000 for 1st to 5th year;
  • Rs 6,000 for the 6th year and beyond.

Hotels and restaurants, ICT sector:

  • 1st year: Rs 1,500
  • 2nd year or part of 2nd year: Rs 2,000
  • 3rd year or part of 3rd year: Rs 2,500
  • 4th year or part of 4th year: Rs 3,000
  • 5th year or part of 5th year: Rs 3,500
  • 6th year and beyond: Rs 10,000

Multi-skilled agricultural workers:

  • 1st year: Rs 2,000
  • 2nd year or part of 2nd year: Rs 2,000
  • 3rd year or part of 3rd year: Rs 2,500
  • 4th year or part of 4th year: Rs 3,000
  • 5th year or part of 5th year: Rs 3,500
  • 6th year and beyond: Rs 10,000

Fishermen and frigoboys employed on fishing vessels:

  • 1st year: Rs 2,000
  • 2nd year or part of 2nd year: Rs 2,000
  • 3rd year or part of 3rd year: Rs 2,500
  • 4th year or part of 4th year: Rs 3,000
  • 5th year or part of 5th year: Rs 3,500
  • 6th year and beyond: Rs 10,000

All other employees:

  • 1st year: Rs 5,500
  • 2nd year or part of 2nd year: Rs 6,000
  • 3rd year or part of 3rd year: Rs 6,500
  • 4th year or part of 4th year: Rs 11,000
  • 5th year or part of 5th year: Rs 12,000
  • 6th year and beyond: Rs 15,000

Real estate transaction fees in Mauritius

Transfer fees applicable to the value of real estate vary according to the value of the property:

  • Up to Rs 1,000,000: no fee;
  • From Rs 1,000,001 to Rs 5,000,000: 2% on the value exceeding Rs 1,000,000;
  • From Rs 5,000,001 to Rs 10,000,000: 5% on the value exceeding Rs 5,000,000;
  • From Rs 10,000,001 to Rs 20,000,000: 8% on the value exceeding Rs 10,000,000;
  • Over Rs 20,000,000: 10% on the value exceeding Rs 20,000,000.

The buyer or transferee must pay transfer registration fees within three months of the transfer date.

Recurring fees

Recurring fees include annual registration fees and commercial fees, and these vary according to the company’s category and sales. Here are a few examples:

  • Annual registration fee (based on sales): Rs 5,000 to Rs 100,000;
  • Commercial fees (depending on company category and sales): Rs 5,000 to Rs 100,000.

Property rental costs

Property rental costs in Mauritius vary according to the area and type of property chosen. Here is an estimate of monthly rental prices for different types of apartments and houses in different regions:

  • 1 bedroom apartment in the city center: Rs 15,000 – Rs 25,000
  • 1-bedroom apartment outside the city center: Rs 10,000 – Rs 20,000
  • 3-bedroom apartment in the city center: Rs 30,000 – Rs 50,000
  • 3-bedroom apartment outside the city center: Rs 20,000 – Rs 40,000
  • House with 3 bedrooms in the city center: Rs 40,000 – Rs 60,000

StraFin is here to help you invest and get settled in Mauritius

StraFin Corporate Ltd is a global provider of corporate, trust and fund administration services, specializing in local and international companies. Our aim is to help you choose the best structure and jurisdiction for your business needs while ensuring your compliance with regulatory requirements thanks to our in-depth knowledge of the local regulatory framework and strong relationships with the relevant authorities. If you’re keen on getting started and thriving long-term, contact us now!