When Mauritius announced plans earlier this year to introduce a Golden Visa for high-net worth individuals (HNWIs) who want to relocate to the country, the move was positioned as a strategic response to a changing global environment.

Government messaging around this multiple-entry visa introduced to better meet the requirements of HNWIs and their immediate dependents, linked the initiative to geopolitical instability, disruptions in the Middle East, and an opportunity to attract affluent international investors seeking a safe, stable jurisdiction from which to live and conduct business.

With the guidelines for the Golden Visa now finalised, as noted by the Economic Development Board (EDB) during a board meeting on 23 May 2026, and the publication of the guidelines on the website imminent, questions have been raised about what the Golden Visa is intended to achieve that Mauritius' existing residence-by-investment framework does not already offer.

From parliamentary debates it transpired that applicants must invest at least $1-million within 1 year of relocating, in economic sectors including fintech, biotechnology, artificial intelligence and renewable energy. Strong emphasis was placed on fast-track processing of 5 days from the date of application and an annual cap of 100 applicants. 

It seems to have created uncertainty among many expatriates in Mauritius who have Residence Permits by property acquisitions and who wonder if the requirements will change or jeopardise this route to residency.

Questions Arising

Business advisors, immigration professionals and parliamentary questions have raised several concerns, or asked for clarity.

Some industry observers had initially expected the Golden Visa initiative would be a sort of rebranding of the existing Premium Visa programme, aimed at attracting remote workers and location-independent professionals. It was apparently supposed to make the Premium Visa, valid for 1 year and ideal for digital nomads who must demonstrate financial autonomy through a monthly income of at least $1 500, more efficient in attracting remote workers.

In contrast, the holders of Golden Visas will not automatically be entitled to enter the Mauritian labour market as they will be expected to invest in qualifying sectors. Why the US$ 1-million investment eligibility if you can opt for a Premium Visa, commentators say.

Currently Residence Permits exist in three main categories: Retired Non-Citizen, Property Acquisition; and Dependent.  

An applicant seeking to acquire property in Mauritius under one of the eligible property schemes approved by die EDB must buy property with a purchase price of at least US$ 375 000. Successful applicants are exempt from the requirement of a work or occupation permit, and its duration is for as long as the applicant remains owner of the property by the same means they acquired that property.

Investment Criteria and Impact

Details from the Parliamentary Hansard of 28 May 2026 and 5 May 2026, clearly show that at the heart of the program is a written undertaking, given at application, to invest a minimum amount of $1-million within the first 12 months of relocating. 

Answering parliamentary questions, Prime Minister Dr Navin Ramgoolam said the EDB has received multiple enquiries from foreigners who have expressed interest to relocate together with their families to Mauritius. The introduction of the Golden Visa is in response to this demand. It will be valid for a period of up to two years and it can be renewed, if need be, if there is a new application.

“The aim is to maximise the economic benefits to Mauritius through long-term stay of Golden Visa Holders and subsequently encourage them to relocate their funds and channel investments to different sectors of our economy.” 

Golden Visa holders will be able to:

• enrol their children in private educational institutions in Mauritius;
• import their personal belongings and bring their pets;
• open bank accounts in Mauritius, and
• pay their taxes in Mauritius if they spend 183 days or more in Mauritius while benefitting from tax exemption on expenditure in Mauritius made through foreign credit or debit cards, and on income remitted and deposited into a Mauritian bank account, provided a declaration is made that the applicable tax has already been paid abroad.

Regarding housing affordability and land ownership, Ramgoolam said that Golden Visa Holders will only be allowed to acquire residential properties strictly under the EDB property schemes such as Property Development Scheme, Invest Hotel Scheme and Smart City Scheme.

He went on to clarify that Golden Visa holders would initially be staying in hotels or renting residential properties under the EDB schemes. “There is, therefore, spare capacity in the high-end property rental market to accommodate these individuals without affecting housing affordability for Mauritian citizens.”

Consensus on Strengthening Investment

Following its board meeting in May, the EDB board said the Golden Visa forms part of a series of measures endorsed to strengthen Mauritius’ investment climate, support export growth, enhance business facilitation and advance targeted policy reform. It also underscores the EDB’s continued commitment to enabling high-value investment, improving the ease of doing business and supporting strategic sectors of the economy. 

There seems to be broad consensus that Mauritius should attract high-net-worth individuals, but the focus will now shift to whether the final guidelines for the Golden Visa programme will provide the necessary clarity, business advisors say.

Submitted by Boolell Advisory Mauritius