EDB Occupation Permit Guidelines Mauritius 2026
The complete, official EDB guidelines for the Mauritius Occupation Permit — explained in plain English. Learn the eligibility criteria, investment options, conditions, and renewal rules under the Immigration Act 2022.
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The Occupation Permit (OP) is a combined work and residence permit that allows foreign nationals to work and reside in Mauritius. It is governed by the Immigration Act 2022 and managed jointly by the Economic Development Board (EDB) and the Passport and Immigration Office (PIO).
Under the Approval in Principle route, foreign nationals can apply and obtain approval before travelling to Mauritius. There are three main categories of Occupation Permit, alongside the Residence Permit for Retired Non-Citizens. Each category has strict criteria and conditions that must be maintained throughout the duration of the permit.
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2. EDB Guidelines for Investor Occupation Permits
An Investor is defined as a non-citizen registered with the EDB, or a company whose management is vested in non-citizens. Investors can apply under three distinct options based on their business model and investment capital.
Option 1 — USD 50,000
For standard businesses and startups looking to establish operations in Mauritius.
Option 2 — USD 100,000
For larger investments with alternative progressive turnover targets.
Option 3 — Innovative Startups
For innovative projects or startups registered with an accredited incubator.
Not Sure Which Option Fits Your Business Plan?
Use our free eligibility check tool at DNB HR Associates — answer 5 questions in under 2 minutes and get your personalised recommendation.
3. Guidelines for Professional & Self-Employed Permits
The EDB provides specific pathways for employed professionals and independent service providers who wish to base themselves in Mauritius. All applications must be submitted by the employer on the National E-Licensing Platform (NELS ).
| Permit Category | Key Criteria | Duration | Conditions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Professional — ProPass | Basic salary of at least MUR 30,000/month | Up to 10 years (or contract length) | Must have a valid contract of employment with a Mauritian company. Employer submits via NELS. |
| Professional — Expert Pass | Basic salary of at least MUR 250,000/month | Up to 10 years (or contract length ) | For highly specialised experts and senior executives. |
| Self-Employed | Initial investment of USD 50,000. Engaged in services sector only. | 10 years (renewable) | Min. business income of MUR 750,000 (Y1). Cumulative MUR 6M (Y1–5). Renewal: MUR 1.5M/year (Y6+). Allowed to employ 1 local admin staff. |
4. Residence Permit Guidelines for Retired Non-Citizens
Mauritius welcomes retirees aged 50 and above who wish to relocate to the island under a 10-year Residence Permit, issued by the Passport and Immigration Office (PIO ) in collaboration with the EDB.
- Age Requirement: Must be 50 years of age or older.
- Initial Transfer: Must transfer at least USD 2,000 (or equivalent ) into a local Mauritian bank account within 60 days of permit issuance.
- Monthly Transfer: Must transfer at least USD 2,000 monthly or an aggregate of USD 24,000 annually.
- Right to Invest: Retirees can invest in any business in Mauritius, provided they are not employed in the business and do not derive any salary or employment benefits from it.
- Right to Work: Foreign retirees can take up employment in specific sectors, but must apply for a separate work or occupation permit to do so via the EDB NELS portal.
5. Guidelines for Dependents & Permanent Residence (PRP )
The EDB guidelines cover family relocation and long-term residency pathways for permit holders. Dependent applications are made to and determined by the Passport and Immigration Office (PIO ).
Dependent Residence Permits
Dependents include spouses (including opposite-sex common-law partners), parents, and unmarried children under 24 years of age. Dependents are not allowed to engage in gainful employment unless they apply for their own separate work or occupation permit through the EDB NELS platform. The duration of a dependent permit cannot exceed that of the main permit holder.
Permanent Residence Permit (PRP ) — 20 Years
After holding an Occupation Permit or Retired Residence Permit for at least 5 consecutive years, you may be eligible to apply for a 20-year Permanent Residence Permit. Applications are submitted via the EDB NELS portal and processed by the PIO. Contact DNB HR Associates to assess your PRP eligibility.
| Main Permit Category | PRP Financial Thresholds (5 consecutive years ) |
|---|---|
| Investor | Min. annual turnover of MUR 15 million OR an aggregate turnover of MUR 75 million over the 5 years. |
| Professional | Basic monthly salary of at least MUR 400,000 for 5 consecutive years. |
| Self-Employed | Annual business income of at least MUR 3 million OR an aggregate turnover of MUR 15 million over the 5 years. |
| Retired Non-Citizen | Aggregate transfer of at least USD 200,000 over the 5 consecutive years. |
Why Choose DNB HR Associates for Your EDB Occupation Permit?
Navigating the EDB guidelines alone is complex. One missing document or incorrect figure can result in a rejection and weeks of delay. Here is why over 1,200 clients have trusted DNB HR Associates to manage their application.
EDB Registered Agent
We are officially registered with the Economic Development Board (EDB ) — giving your application the credibility and compliance it needs from day one.
95% Approval Rate
Our thorough pre-submission review process catches errors before they reach the EDB. We have maintained a 95% first-submission approval rate across 350+ permits.
100% Remote Service
You do not need to travel to Mauritius to apply. We manage your entire application remotely — from document preparation to submission on the NELS portal and follow-up with the PIO.
4–8 Weeks Average Processing
Well-prepared applications move faster through the EDB review stage. Our document pre-screening ensures nothing holds up your application.
Family & Dependent Permits
We handle dependent permit applications alongside your main permit — coordinating with the PIO so your family can relocate with you seamlessly.
Renewals & Compliance
We track your permit expiry dates and manage renewals on the NELS platform — ensuring you remain fully compliant with EDB guidelines at all times.
What Our Clients Say About DNB HR Associates
Over 1,200 clients have trusted DNB HR Associates to manage their EDB Occupation Permit application — rated 4.9★ on average.
"DNB HR Associates made my EDB Occupation Permit application seamless. They handled everything remotely, and I received my permit in just 5 weeks."
"Professional, responsive, and knowledgeable. They guided me through the Professional Permit process and answered every question I had along the way."
"I was struggling with the self-employed permit requirements. DNB simplified everything and helped with the business plan. Worth every cent."
"As an entrepreneur looking to expand to Mauritius, I needed a reliable partner. DNB handled my investor permit and company registration flawlessly."
"I needed 90 foreign workers for a hotel construction project. Being new in Mauritius, I didn't know how to go about the hiring process. DNB HR Associates did everything for me to complete the project."
Our Happy Clients
