First, identified linkable resources in order of appearance:
– Economic Development Board (EDB) — appears as “Economic Development Board (EDB)” and later “Economic Development Board of Mauritius” (first mention is “Economic Development Board (EDB)”).
Now the article with the single allowed official .gov link added to the first mention of that resource (no other changes):
(MAURITIUS) Mauritius has approved far‑reaching changes to its immigration rules for work and residency permits, with the bulk of measures taking effect in August 2025 following the Finance (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2025 and the 2025–2026 National Budget. The reforms raise financial thresholds, shorten several permit durations, add salary floors, and expand compliance checks for retirees, professionals, young graduates, self‑employed workers, and investors.
Officials say the aim is to set clearer standards and ensure foreign residents make steady, measurable contributions to the island’s economy.
Timeline and administration
The timeline unfolded quickly. The National Budget was presented on June 5, 2025; the Finance Act was published by the end of July 2025; and implementation begins in August 2025.
The Economic Development Board (EDB) will:
- Administer the new rules.
- Conduct mid‑term reviews for investors and some self‑employed applicants.
- Manage the digital platform used for filings.
According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, the package marks one of the most extensive resets to Mauritius’s work and residency permits in a decade and signals a shift toward stricter screening linked to performance over time.
Key takeaway: The focus is shifting to measurable economic impact and ongoing compliance rather than one‑off approvals.
Main changes to permit durations and review regime
Under the revised system, permit durations are generally shorter and tied to ongoing compliance.
- Retirement, self‑employed, and investor permits: now 5‑year validity (renewable), replacing the longer terms many applicants previously expected.
- Young Professional route: shortened from 3 years to 2 years. Holders must transition to a standard Occupation Permit to remain after that period.
- Mid‑term and final reviews: the EDB will flag underperforming cases before renewal, with potential revocation at the mid‑term (year 5) or final (year 10) reviews for investors and some self‑employed applicants.
Financial thresholds and business performance targets
Financial thresholds rise across the board and are tied to performance milestones.
Retirees:
– Must transfer at least USD 2,000 per month (USD 24,000 per year).
– Must spend at least 180 days per year in Mauritius.
Self‑employed:
– USD 50,000 minimum investment (services sector only).
– Three client letters required (at least two from Mauritian clients).
– Turnover targets: MUR 750,000 in year 1 and MUR 6 million over 5 years.
Investors:
– Two investment options with specific turnover milestones and EDB reviews:
1. Option 1: Invest USD 50,000; reach MUR 1.5 million in year 1 and MUR 20 million over 5 years.
2. Option 2: Invest USD 100,000; reach MUR 1 million in year 1 and MUR 15 million over 5 years.
Failure to meet targets can lead to permit revocation at the EDB’s mid‑term (year 5) or final (year 10) reviews.
Warning: These are performance‑based criteria — treat year‑1 and year‑5 targets as critical compliance checkpoints.
Salary floors and the new “Expert Pass”
Salary minima are introduced or raised to align foreign hiring with local wage structures:
- Professional Occupation Permit: minimum salary MUR 30,000 per month.
- Expert Pass: new tier starting at MUR 250,000 per month.
- Young Professional: 2‑year term with minimum salary MUR 25,000 per month; holders must plan to transition to the standard Occupation Permit after two years.
These salary floors are intended to ensure foreign hires meet local labor market and skills expectations.
Permanent residency and documentation requirements
Permanent residency becomes harder to secure:
- Applicants must hold a qualifying permit for at least 5 years (up from 3).
- Higher income or investment thresholds now apply.
- Stricter documentation and compliance checks are required.
This tightens the transition from temporary status to long‑term settlement and reinforces the system’s emphasis on quality and measurable contribution.
Tax, property, and incentives
Tax and property rules have also changed:
- Registration fees for non‑citizen property purchases rise from 5% to 10%.
- Some real estate incentives are removed.
- New taxes target high‑value properties and certain digital services.
Property‑linked pathways remain available under existing schemes, but cost and tax planning is now more important—especially for retirees and remote workers relying on real estate for residence.
Digitalization and process platform
The administrative process is fully digital through the National Electronic Licensing System (NELS), the EDB’s one‑stop online platform.
- All filings must run through NELS.
- Secure digital signatures and unified permit IDs are being rolled out.
- Goal: speed up checks and create cleaner audit trails.
The digital shift reduces paper delays but increases the obligation on applicants to submit accurate documents promptly.
For authoritative guidance, visit the Economic Development Board of Mauritius.
Policy changes overview (at a glance)
- Retirement: 5‑year permit (renewable); USD 2,000/month in foreign transfers; 180 days/year in Mauritius.
- Professional Occupation Permit: MUR 30,000/month minimum; Expert Pass at MUR 250,000/month; validity up to 10 years possible with compliance.
- Young Professional: 2‑year term; MUR 25,000/month; mandatory shift to standard Occupation Permit after 2 years.
- Self‑Employed: USD 50,000 investment (services only); three client letters (two Mauritian); MUR 750,000 turnover year 1; MUR 6 million over 5 years.
- Investor: USD 50,000 or USD 100,000 options, with strict year‑1 and 5‑year turnover targets; EDB mid‑term and final reviews apply.
- Permanent Residency: 5 years on qualifying permit + higher income/investment thresholds and stricter documentation.
Application steps (practical sequence)
- Check eligibility against the new thresholds for your category.
- Prepare documentation:
- Investment proofs and bank transfer records.
- Client letters (self‑employed).
- Payroll and tax records (professionals/employers).
- File through NELS and pay statutory fees (officials note fees typically range USD 400–1,000, depending on permit).
- Respond promptly to EDB requests and maintain records for compliance checks.
- Expect monitoring at year 5 and again at year 10 for investors and certain self‑employed applicants.
Impact on applicants and enforcement
Practical implications:
- Retirees: plan regular foreign transfers and track days spent in Mauritius.
- Young graduates: secure a role that meets the MUR 25,000 floor and prepare to transition to the Occupation Permit after 2 years.
- Professionals and employers: budget for the MUR 30,000 baseline or the Expert Pass for high‑value roles.
- Self‑employed: face the steepest shift—services‑only requirement, USD 50,000 minimum investment, client‑letter proofing, and steep turnover targets. Casual freelancing is much harder.
- Investors: treat turnover milestones as non‑negotiable; poor performance at year‑5 can jeopardize renewal. Local partnerships and early client wins are highly valuable.
- Property buyers: expect higher transaction costs (now 10% registration fee) and fewer incentives for some investment‑for‑residence strategies.
Enforcement emphasis: objective metrics (salary floors, turnover targets, time‑in‑country rules) make case assessments more measurable and less discretionary — but they also require rigorous documentation.
Practical advice and compliance checklist
For current and prospective applicants:
- Keep bank transfer proofs, tax filings, payroll records, and client contracts in order from day one.
- Investors: schedule quarterly internal reviews to compare actual revenue against EDB targets.
- Self‑employed: secure the required Mauritian client letters before applying and cultivate local relationships.
- Use a robust business plan with realistic sales forecasts and precise documentation.
- Work with legal and tax professionals early to avoid incomplete files and mid‑term risks.
Legal and tax advisors in Port Louis emphasize early planning: the digital platform makes submissions easier to track but leaves little room for incomplete applications.
Conclusion
Mauritius remains an attractive destination—stable governance, a growing services hub, and strong lifestyle appeal—but the gate has narrowed. For families, professionals, and investors who can meet the higher financial thresholds and performance milestones, the path remains viable. For those seeking low‑capital, part‑time, or exploratory stays, the new rules present significant hurdles.
The success of these reforms will depend on consistent, fair enforcement by the EDB and applicants’ ability to meet the measurable contributions the law now requires.
This Article in a Nutshell
Mauritius’s 2025 immigration reforms, effective August 2025, overhaul work and residency permits with stricter financial thresholds, shorter durations and performance‑based reviews. The Economic Development Board (EDB) will manage the changes through the National Electronic Licensing System (NELS), enforcing year‑1, year‑5 and year‑10 milestones for investors and some self‑employed applicants. Key measures include retirees transferring USD 2,000 monthly and spending 180 days a year locally; professionals requiring a minimum MUR 30,000 salary; a new Expert Pass at MUR 250,000; and Young Professional terms cut to two years at MUR 25,000. Self‑employed applicants must invest USD 50,000 in services, provide client letters and meet turnover targets. Property registration fees rise to 10% and some incentives are removed. Applicants must file digitally, maintain rigorous documentation and prepare for monitoring, with failures potentially leading to revocation. The reforms prioritize measurable economic contribution while maintaining pathways for well‑capitalized investors and skilled professionals.
