Mauritius Golden Visa 2026: $375K Property to $1M
Mauritius: Island Living with Multiple Residency Options
⚡ Key Takeaways: Mauritius Residency at a Glance
| Route | Investment | Processing | Residency | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Property (PDS) | US$375K | 3-6 months | 20 years | Families wanting luxury home |
| Business Investment | US$1M | 5 days | 2 years (renewable) | Entrepreneurs in tech/fintech |
| Hotel Unit (IHS) | US$500K | 3-6 months | 10 years | Passive rental income seekers |
| Smart City | US$375K | 3-6 months | 20 years | Urban apartment preference |
| Retirement | US$40K/year | 3 months | 10 years | Retirees 50+ |
| Premium Visa | US$270/month | 48 hours | 1 year | Digital nomads testing waters |
Tax Benefits: 15% flat income tax • 0% capital gains • 0% inheritance tax • 46 double tax treaties
Finance Strategy: Use a Lombard loan to fund your property purchase—keep your portfolio invested while it grows.
Quick Facts
- Entry Point: US$375K (property) or US$1M (business)
- Processing: 5 days to 6 months depending on route
- Tax: 15% flat rate, no capital gains, no inheritance tax
- Citizenship: After 7 years (5 for UK/Commonwealth)
- Languages: English and French (both official)
Why Do Investors Choose Mauritius?
Safety: Africa's most peaceful country, stable democracy since 1968, English common law courts.
Lifestyle: Pristine beaches, 12 championship golf courses, Five-star resorts (Four Seasons, One&Only, St. Regis), year-round tropical weather (17-33°C).
Connectivity: Direct flights to Dubai (5.5 hrs), London (12 hrs), Mumbai (5 hrs), Johannesburg (4 hrs).
Tax benefits: 15% flat income tax, zero capital gains tax, zero inheritance tax, 46 tax treaties.
What Are Your Mauritius Residency Options?
Option 1: Buy Property (US$375K+)
The most popular route. Buy in an approved development, get 20-year residence.
| Details | |
|---|---|
| Minimum | US$375,000 |
| Processing | 3-6 months |
| Residence | 20 years |
| Work rights | Yes |
| Family included | Spouse + children under 24 |
The catch: You can only buy in government-approved developments, not the open market. These are premium properties — beachfront villas, golf estates, luxury condos.
Option 2: Invest in Business (US$1M)
Announced May 2026. Invest US$1M in fintech, AI, biotech, or renewable energy.
| Details | |
|---|---|
| Minimum | US$1,000,000 |
| Processing | 5 working days |
| Visa | 2 years, renewable |
| Work rights | In your investment sector |
Best for: Entrepreneurs who want to build something, not just buy property. Your money goes into a real business — if it succeeds, you profit.
Note: Just announced — application forms and procedures are still being finalized.
Option 3: Hotel Unit (US$500K+)
Buy a unit in a Five-star resort. The hotel manages it and pays you rental income.
| Details | |
|---|---|
| Minimum | US$500,000-1.5M |
| Residence | 20 years |
| Income | 4-8% annual rental yield |
| Personal use | 30-60 days/year |
Best for: Hands-off investors who want income plus a vacation home.
Option 4: Work Permit (US$50K/year)
For entrepreneurs and remote workers. Transfer US$50K annually to a Mauritius bank.
| Details | |
|---|---|
| Investment | US$50,000/year transfer |
| Processing | 2-4 weeks |
| Duration | 10 years, renewable |
| Work rights | Full |
Best for: Digital nomads and consultants who don't want to invest US$375K+ upfront.
Option 5: Retirement (Age 50+)
For retirees with pension income.
| Details | |
|---|---|
| Requirement | US$1,500/month income + US$40K deposit |
| Processing | 4-8 weeks |
| Duration | 10 years, renewable |
Alternative: Buy property for US$375K+ and skip the income requirement.
What Is the Side-by-Side Comparison?
| Route | Cost | Processing | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Property | US$375K | 3-6 months | 20 years |
| Business | US$1M | 5 days | 2 years |
| Hotel Unit | US$500K+ | 3-6 months | 20 years |
| Work Permit | US$50K/year | 2-4 weeks | 10 years |
| Retirement | US$40K + income | 4-8 weeks | 10 years |
What About Citizenship?
All routes (except short-term visas) lead to citizenship after 7 years living in Mauritius. For UK, Canada, Australia, India, and other Commonwealth nationals, it's 5 years.
You can keep your other passport — Mauritius allows dual citizenship.
What Is the Tax Structure?
| Tax | Rate |
|---|---|
| Income | 15% flat |
| Capital gains | 0% |
| Inheritance | 0% |
| Wealth | 0% |
| Dividends (foreign) | 0% |
Mauritius has 46 tax treaties, making it easier to defend to your home country's tax authority than zero-tax jurisdictions like UAE.
How Do You Finance a Golden Visa Without Selling Investments?
You don't need US$375K or US$1M in cash. Borrow against your investment portfolio:
Example: For a US$375K property
- Pledge US$750K portfolio as collateral
- Borrow US$375K (50% of collateral)
- Pay ~US$11K/year interest (3%)
- Your portfolio stays invested and keeps growing
If you buy a rental property, income can offset most or all of the interest cost.
What Are the Property Options?
Prices range from US$375K (entry-level approved units) to US$5M+ (beachfront estates). Popular areas:
- Le Morne — UNESCO World Heritage, dramatic peninsula
- Grand Baie — Marina, restaurants, nightlife
- Anahita — Ernie Els golf course, Four Seasons amenities
Who Should Choose Mauritius?
Good fit:
- You want to actually live somewhere beautiful, not just get paperwork
- Tropical beaches, golf, and year-round warmth appeal to you
- You're comfortable with 15% tax (lower than most countries, higher than UAE)
- You want a genuine relocation, not just a flag
Consider elsewhere if:
- You need EU access → Greece or Portugal
- Zero tax is essential → UAE
- You want citizenship fast → Caribbean (3-6 months)
- You prefer urban energy → UAE or Malta
Common Questions
What's the cheapest route?
Property at US$375K. For non-property options, the Work Permit at US$50K/year is lowest.
How fast can I get in?
The US$1M business visa targets 5 days. Work permits take 2-4 weeks. Property takes 3-6 months.
Can I work there?
Yes, with property, hotel unit, or work permit routes. The US$1M visa limits you to your investment sector.
Is this citizenship or just residence?
Residence first. Citizenship comes after 7 years (5 for Commonwealth nationals).
Can I use a Lombard loan?
Yes. At 50% loan-to-value, you'd need about US$750K in portfolio for the US$375K property route, or US$2M for the US$1M business route.
Related
Luke D. Coupe
CISI Level 7 Chartered Wealth Manager, MSc Global Finance, LLB, Post-Graduate in Financial Planning (University of the Free State)Chartered Wealth Manager
Luke D. Coupe is a CISI Level 7 Chartered Wealth Manager specialising in cross-border wealth management & Investment Advice and investment immigration for high-net-worth and ultra-high-net-worth families. With 10 years of experience advising HNW and UHNW clients and 7 years advising on investment migration and golden visa programmes, Luke has guided families through complex residency by investment pathways including Portugal Golden Visa, New Zealand AIP, Greece Golden Visa, and US EB-5 programmes. He holds an MSc in Global Finance, an LLB in Law, and a Post-Graduate in Financial Planning from the University of the Free State. He serves as an advisor to the University of London's finance committee. Luke advises on Lombard loan structuring, Swiss wealth management, international tax optimization, asset-backed lending strategies, and multi-jurisdictional estate planning.
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