NON-CITIZEN GUIDELINES FOR PROPERTY ACQUISITION IN MAURITIUS

BUYING PROPERTY IN MAURITIUS

The Non-Citizens (Property Restriction) Act was amended in December 2016 to allow foreigners to purchase apartments in condominium developments of at least two levels above ground (G+2) with the prior approval of the Economic Development Board provided the purchase price of an apartment is not less than MUR 6 million or its equivalent in any other hard convertible foreign currency.

Thus, non-citizens may acquire the following types of properties in Mauritius.

o   a residential unit developed under the IRS, RES and PDS

o   a residential unit developed in a smart city

o   *an apartment located in a building of at least two floors above ground floor (G+2)

            * Any non-citizen, with or without an occupation permit, residence permit, permanent residence permit, may acquire apartments.

LIVING IN YOUR NEW PROPERTY

A non-citizen who has acquired a property for a consideration exceeding US $ 500 000:

o   in an IRS, RES or PDS scheme or in a Smart City may apply for a PERMANENT RESIDENCY PERMIT for the purchaser and partner, as well as children under the age of 24 (all classed as dependents).

o   in a G+2 Scheme may apply for a LONG STAY VISA

o    A long stay visa allows a non-citizen and his dependents to stay for a consecutive period of 10 years, renewable, depending on the status of ownership. The non-citizen is eligible for a long-stay visa over a period of 10 years.

o    The long-stay visa granted to the non-citizen shall remain in force until such time that the non-citizen holds the apartment.

Should your property purchase have been for less than US $ 500 000, you may still reside in the unit, in Mauritius for up to 6 months of the year. 

Further to the above, if you are over 50 years of age, you may apply for a REITREMENT PERMIT which will entitle you and your partner to live in Mauritius as long as conditions for the permit are met.

Keep in mind that a PERMANENT RESIDENCY PERMIT, A LONG STAY VISA and a RETIERMENT PERMIT allow you to live in Mauritius.  There are separate applications required should you wish to work in Mauritius.

Processes vary for the different permit applications.  Below is a detailed summary of the application process for a LONG STAY VISA as prescribed by the EDB.

APPLICATION PROCESS FOR THE LONG STAY VISA

o   A non-citizen wishing to apply for a long-stay visa shall make an application to the Chief Executive Officer of the Economic Development Board (EDB)

o   The following documents should accompany the duly filled application submitted to EDB for a long-stay visa, by the main applicant and his/her dependents:

o   Duly filled application form;

o   2 passport size photographs per applicant;

o   Certified true copies of passport of each applicant;

o   Morality certificate or a Police Clearance Certificate with a validity period of six (6) months for each applicant.

§  For each dependent above 18 years old, a morality certificate is required. Where the applicant or dependent(s) have resided in different countries, in addition to the Police Clearance Certificate obtained from country of current stay, he/she should also submit an affidavit that he/she has not been subject to any criminal offence for the last 10 years;

o   Medical certificate to the effect that the applicant and his dependents are free from any contagious diseases, with a validity of six (6) months;

o   Certified true copy of birth certificate for each applicant;

o   Notary certificate evidencing ownership of the apartment; and

o   In case of a couple, a certified true copy of the marriage certificate or a 'certificat de concubinage' or an 'affidavit' whichever is applicable

o   The relevant authorities reserve the right to request any additional information or clarifications.

Whilst care has been taken to ensure that the information provided herein is accurate and correct at the time of publication, users of this publication are advised to seek guidance from the Economic Development Board in case of uncertainty or ambiguity encountered in reading this manual. The Economic Development Board shall, in no circumstances whatsoever, be held liable to any person arising from use of information contained herein.

Economic Development Board

10th Floor, One Cathedral Square Building - 16 Jules Koenig

Street Port Louis Phone (230) 203 3800 - Fax (230) 208 2924

Email: hpd@edbmauritius.org - Website: www.edbmauritius.org