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Republic of Mauritius · entrepreneur · Leads to settlement

Occupation Permit (Self-Employed)

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Work and residence permit for a non-citizen running a one-person professional services activity in Mauritius.

No sponsorship requiredLeads to permanent residencyIssued for up to 10 years and renewable, subject to meeting ongoing business income conditions.
Processing time
Indicative only; applications are filed through the EDB residency portal. Confirm current timelines on the official page.
Government fees
Indicative only; statutory processing and application fees apply to successful applicants. Confirm current fees on the official EDB page.
Typical duration
Issued for up to 10 years and renewable, subject to meeting ongoing business income conditions.
Sponsorship required
No
Leads to permanent residency
Yes
Reviewed Economic Development Board (Mauritius) ↗

In short

As of 10 July 2026, the Occupation Permit (Self-Employed) for Republic of Mauritius is an unsponsored Mauritius immigration route. Sources: official Republic of Mauritius government pages, reviewed 10 July 2026.

Cite this: https://visaatlas.org/visas/mauritius/occupation-permit-self-employed#answer

What is the Occupation Permit (Self-Employed) in Republic of Mauritius?

Occupation Permit (Self-Employed) is an unsponsored Mauritius route. Indicative government fees are Indicative only; statutory processing and application fees apply to successful applicants. Confirm current fees on the official EDB page; indicative processing time is Indicative only; applications are filed through the EDB residency portal. Confirm current timelines on the official page; typical duration is Issued for up to 10 years and renewable, subject to meeting ongoing business income conditions. This route can lead to permanent residence.

Verified against Economic Development Board (Mauritius) on 1 June 2026.

Overview

The Occupation Permit in the Self-Employed category is designed for a non-citizen operating an independent, one-person business in the professional or service sector. It requires a qualifying initial investment and ongoing business income, and is administered by the Economic Development Board.

Eligibility

Typical criteria

Common blockers

Typical evidence

Application pathway

  1. Check the route fit

    Plan a qualifying one-person service activity and gather letters of intent from prospective clients.

  2. Build the evidence pack

    Submit the Self-Employed Occupation Permit application via the EDB residency portal with the business plan.

  3. Submit through the official channel

    After approval-in-principle, register the business and transfer the qualifying investment locally.

  4. After approval

    Collect the Occupation Permit and run the activity, meeting income targets to support renewal.

After approval: prepare for your next step

For Occupation Permit (Self-Employed), use the actual decision and the issuing authority’s instructions to establish what has been granted. A successful application, permission to enter, permission to work and a residence document are not interchangeable.

  1. 1. Check the decision. Confirm the name, passport, status granted, start date and any next action. Resolve an error with the authority before relying on the document for travel or employment.
  2. 2. Establish the travel step. Read any entry window, activation, collection or in-country registration instruction. For an extension or change of status, do not assume leaving the country is required or safe while a further step remains pending.
  3. 3. Confirm what you may do. Check whether employment, self-employment, remote work or study is permitted under the status granted. Do not infer unrestricted work rights from the absence of an employer sponsor.
  4. 4. Organise the household. Check each accompanying person’s permission separately, then arrange healthcare, accommodation, access to money and the relevant local registrations. A tax number or bank account does not by itself prove a right to work.
  5. 5. Keep the ongoing conditions visible. Record the actual expiry, renewal process, permitted absences and any duty to report changes. An initial grant does not automatically establish permanent residence or citizenship.
Official Occupation Permit (Self-Employed) instructionsBuild my moving plan for this routeMoving to Mauritius

Plan the practical side of your stay

Once you have checked the official route, you can prepare for day-to-day life in Mauritius. These optional services are separate from the application and do not establish visa eligibility.

Official application links

Where to actually go next

Government links only

These are the official pages to use for this route. Open them before preparing documents: the forms, fees, appointment systems, and sponsor steps can change without warning.

  1. Official guidanceApplicant
    Use official Occupation Permit (Self-Employed) route page ↗

    Use this official page to confirm requirements and follow the government filing route for Occupation Permit (Self-Employed).

    Economic Development Board (Mauritius) · verified

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Frequently asked questions

Can I employ staff under the Self-Employed Occupation Permit?+

The route is built around a one-person business, but recruitment of non-administrative support staff is permitted. Confirm the current staffing rules on the official EDB page before hiring.

What income must the business generate to renew?+

The EDB sets a minimum annual business income and a cumulative turnover target that must be met over the permit term to qualify for renewal. Verify the current figures on the official page.

Can I move to Mauritius and work without an employer or job offer?+

Yes. The Self-Employed Occupation Permit does not require employer sponsorship; it is built around a non-citizen running a one-person professional or service activity rather than holding a local job offer. Confirm the current eligibility rules on the official EDB page.

What evidence do I need to apply as self-employed if I don't have Mauritian clients yet?+

The application asks for a detailed business plan, letters of intent from prospective clients (including local clients), your CV and academic or professional qualifications, and evidence of the investment transfer and business registration. Confirm the current documentary requirements on the official EDB page.

Need tailored advice?

We do not provide legal advice. For an application that depends on your exact circumstances, consult a regulator-listed immigration advisor.

Find a regulated advisor in Mauritius

How we verified this

We check every figure on this page against the primary government source, record the date it was last checked, and re-check it on a regular schedule. Rules change, so always confirm time-sensitive details with the official source before you rely on them. Visa Atlas is an information-only publication and does not give legal advice.

Primary source: Economic Development Board (Mauritius)

Last checked: 1 June 2026

See the full evidence trail and methodology

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