Mauritius is expanding its range of investment migration programs with a new product featuring a minimum investment threshold of $1 million. The visa is aimed at investors in the fields of fintech, artificial intelligence, biotechnology, renewable energy, and global treasury. Learn more about the terms of the Mauritius Golden Visa, tax benefits, restrictions, and the application process

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Mauritius is preparing to launch a new investment migration program—the “Golden Visa”—which requires an investment of at least $1 million in specific sectors of the island’s economy. The program has been approved by the Cabinet, and Prime Minister Navinchandra Ramgoolam outlined the key rules in Parliament.

Who is eligible for the visa, what investments are required, for how long is the permit issued, and how does the new program compare to other migration routes in Mauritius—we’ll cover all this in the article below.

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What is the Mauritius Golden Visa and what is its current status?

The framework conditions of the “Golden Visa” program were approved by the Mauritian Cabinet of Ministers on April 10, 2026. The Prime Minister presented the details of the program while responding to a question from opposition MP Joanna Berenge. According to him, the “Golden Visa” is a multiple-entry visa issued to successful applicants along with their immediate dependents (family members).

Despite approval by the Cabinet, the program is not yet in effect. At the time of the parliamentary statement, the Economic Development Board (EDB) had not published the implementing regulations, application forms, or list of fees. The government announcement has also not been published in the official gazette. The relevant legislation—the Immigration Act of 1970 and the EDB Act of 2017—already grants the executive branch the authority to create new visa categories by decision of the Cabinet of Ministers, so once the regulations are published, the program will be able to begin operations without additional parliamentary procedures.

Read this article to learn about Golden Visas 2026 and countries where you can move with your entire family.

Investment requirements and sectors for investment

The central condition of the program is a written commitment that the applicant provides when submitting documents: to invest a minimum of $1 million within the first 12 months after arriving in Mauritius. The Economic Development Board will monitor the fulfillment of each participant’s investment commitments.

Investments are directed toward five designated sectors:

1. Financial technology (fintech).
2. Artificial intelligence.
3. Biotechnology.
4. Renewable energy.
5. Global treasury (treasury services and family offices).

The selection of the last sector—global treasury—reflects Mauritius’ strategic intent to strengthen its position as an international center for treasury services. The EDB has already established a dedicated concierge service to support businesses relocating to the island, leveraging the existing infrastructure of the financial services sector, free ports, and existing investment schemes.

Which countries offer Golden Visas without residency requirements — find out by following the link.

Validity of the Mauritius Golden Visa and application processing times

The permit is issued for a term of up to two years. Upon expiration, it can be renewed by submitting a new application—provided that investment obligations are met. The expected number of recipients is approximately 100 people per year. Ramgulam clarified that this figure is an EDB estimate, not a legally established limit.

The target processing time for an application is five business days. The review takes place in two stages: first, the EDB conducts an initial screening, which includes various checks in accordance with international standards, after which the documents are forwarded to the Passport and Immigration Office for final review. The entire process must be completed within one business week. Interagency coordination involves the Financial Crimes Commission, the Financial Intelligence Unit, the Financial Services Commission, the Bank of Mauritius, and the Passport and Immigration Office. Joint monitoring is carried out by the Prime Minister’s Office, the Ministry of Finance, and the EDB. According to Ramgulam, all of Mauritius’s visa programs comply with FATF (Financial Action Task Force) standards and OECD recommendations regarding potentially high-risk programs for obtaining residency and citizenship through investment.

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Tax regime for Golden Visa holders in Mauritius

Visa holders who stay in Mauritius for more than 183 days a year will acquire tax resident status and be subject to a standard flat tax rate of 15%. At the same time, two significant tax benefits will apply. First, expenses incurred in Mauritius using foreign credit or debit cards are tax-exempt. Second, income transferred to a Mauritian bank account is not taxed, provided that the corresponding tax has already been paid abroad.

These exemptions are based on Mauritius’s current personal income tax system, which taxes income from foreign sources only at the time it is credited to a local account. In effect, for investors with diversified sources of income outside the island, this regime creates a transparent and predictable tax model.

By the way, in a previous article we discussed Europe’s Golden Visas in 2026 and where to obtain a residence permit through investment.

Program restrictions: real estate and the labor market

The Prime Minister specifically highlighted two restrictions designed to protect Mauritius’s domestic market. The first concerns employment: “Golden Visa” holders do not automatically gain access to the country’s labor market, as they are expected to invest in specific sectors rather than seek salaried employment.

The second restriction concerns real estate. Purchasing a home is possible exclusively through EDB programs—the Property Development Scheme (PDS), the Hotel Investment Scheme (IHS), and the Smart City Program. Initial accommodation is provided in hotels or rented housing under EDB programs. Ramgulam emphasized that the available capacity in the luxury rental market is sufficient to accommodate new arrivals without compromising housing affordability for Mauritian citizens. This restriction directs program participants toward the same categories of real estate already used for the $375,000 permanent residency permit, preventing additional pressure on the open housing market.

Read also: Golden Visas in Africa. 8 countries where you can obtain a residence permit through investment.

The Golden Visa in the context of other Mauritian immigration programs

Mauritius has several active investment migration programs, and the “Golden Visa” complements the existing lineup rather than replacing it. A permanent residence permit is issued for 20 years (with the possibility of renewal) for an investment of at least $375,000 in approved real estate. The Investor Residence Permit requires an investment of at least $50,000 in a business in Mauritius and is valid for ten years. The “Premium Visa,” introduced in 2020, is aimed at digital nomads and allows for stays of up to one year on the island.

The key difference with the “Golden Visa” is that it is a multiple-entry visa, not a residence permit. On its own, it does not provide a direct path to Mauritian citizenship—according to the law, this requires seven years of continuous residence (five years for citizens of Commonwealth countries). Immigration service providers are already positioning it as an intermediate step, allowing applicants to subsequently transition to a residence permit or a retirement visa without leaving the island.

It is worth noting that in 2018, Mauritius had already announced a Citizenship by Investment (CBI) program with a similar threshold of $1 million, but it was never implemented. The current “Golden Visa” has the same investment amount but offers a different product—a visa that is renewable based on actual investments made.

Read more about the Golden Visa and real estate investments and countries with yields exceeding 6% in 2026 here.

Background on the launch and open questions regarding the program

The program was approved two days after the Crisis Committee meeting on April 8, which the Prime Minister convened in connection with the conflict in the Middle East. Ramgulam views the “Golden Visa” as one of the tools for attracting capital and business operations displaced by regional instability. According to him, the program was created in response to “numerous requests” from foreigners interested in relocating with their families. At the same time, the government has expanded the VAT exemption to include international sporting events and televised award ceremonies, and has introduced an expedited processing procedure for operators of Middle Eastern free zones with the aim of relocating them to the free port of Mauritius.

Among the outstanding issues are the exact start date for visa issuance and the publication of official regulations. Ramgoolam also announced plans to implement additional verification infrastructure: a digital passport system (which is already in use, notably in the Seychelles) and a special unit within the planned Mauritian Criminal Investigation Department, which will be responsible for identifying related parties among applicants. The timelines for implementing these initiatives have not yet been announced.

Residency through passive investment in 2026 and countries with an entry threshold of up to $100,000 — read here.

Planning investment migration? Get expert advice!

Investment migration programs have many nuances—from investment requirements to tax implications and the prospects of obtaining a residence permit. The immigration law specialists at the Visit World portal will help you navigate the terms of programs in different countries, assess your options, and choose the best path forward.

Schedule a consultation with a Visit World immigration lawyer to get a personalized action plan for your situation!

Reminder! The number of countries worldwide where foreign income is not taxed is growing, opening up new opportunities for business and relocation. Read about 15 countries with no foreign income tax in 2026 here.

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