Authorised Company
An Authorised Company is incorporated in Mauritius, authorised by the Financial Services Commission, and has its central management and control outside Mauritius. It is treated as non-resident for tax and is not eligible for treaty benefits. It suits international trading, invoicing and holding activity where treaty access is not needed.
Authorised Companies are authorised by the Financial Services Commission and must have a registered agent that is a licensed Management Company. Our sister company, Intrasia Management (Mauritius) Limited, acts as registered agent, and start.mu coordinates the engagement on the client's behalf.
At a glance
| Authorisation | Issued by the Financial Services Commission |
|---|---|
| Registered agent | A Management Company licensed by the FSC |
| Management and control | Outside Mauritius |
| Tax | Non-resident. No Mauritian tax on foreign-source income. No access to double taxation agreements |
| Activities | Trading, investment holding, consultancy, intellectual property holding and similar activities conducted outside Mauritius. Banking, financial services and certain other activities are excluded |
| Reporting | An annual financial summary filed with the FSC and an annual return of income filed with the Mauritius Revenue Authority |
Who it suits
An entrepreneur who wants a Mauritian-incorporated company for international activity, with lighter substance requirements than a Global Business Company, and who does not need treaty access. It is common for consultants and traders serving clients across several markets, and for holding intellectual property or investments where the owner's home jurisdiction does not tax on a residence basis.
Limits
An Authorised Company cannot carry on business in Mauritius with residents, cannot hold a Global Business Licence, and cannot support an Occupation Permit. The owner's own tax position at home is unaffected by the choice of a Mauritian vehicle, and we recommend home-country advice before proceeding.
Questions we are asked
What is the difference from a Global Business Company?
An Authorised Company is managed and controlled outside Mauritius, is treated as non-resident for tax, pays no Mauritian tax on foreign income, and has no access to treaty benefits. A Global Business Company is resident, pays tax at an effective 3% on qualifying foreign income, and has treaty access, at the cost of real substance in Mauritius.
Can it do business in Mauritius?
No. It may not carry on business with Mauritian residents, and it cannot support an Occupation Permit.
Does it change my tax position at home?
No. Your own residence and the rules of your home jurisdiction are unaffected by the choice of a Mauritian vehicle, and we recommend home-country advice before proceeding.
Tell us what the business will do
The right structure follows from the activity, the owners and where the customers are. Describe those three things and we will set out the structure, the costs and the sequence in a written proposal.