Premium Visa
The Premium Visa allows a non-citizen to stay in Mauritius for up to a year, renewable, while working remotely for an employer or clients outside Mauritius, or while retired and living on income from abroad. It is not a residence permit, but it is often the right first step.
At a glance
| Validity | Up to one year, renewable |
|---|---|
| Who may apply | Remote workers, digital professionals, retirees and long-stay visitors whose income arises outside Mauritius |
| Income | Evidence of sufficient means, with the EDB guideline at USD 1,500 a month for the principal applicant and additional amounts for accompanying children |
| Work | No employment with a Mauritian employer and no entry to the local labour market |
| Tax | Income spent in Mauritius through foreign cards or accounts is not treated as remitted; tax residence arises at 183 days |
| Cost | No application fee |
Eligibility criteria are set by the Economic Development Board and revised with each National Budget. The figures on this page follow the EDB Occupation Permit Guidelines issued under section 5(2)(ca) of the Economic Development Board Act 2017, as revised after the 2026-27 Budget, and were last checked against the guidelines in September 2026. We confirm the current criteria with the EDB before any application is prepared.
Who it suits
Someone who wants to live in Mauritius before deciding whether to establish here, or who has no need to establish at all because their work happens online for clients elsewhere. It is also a sensible holding position for a family that arrives ahead of an Occupation Permit application, or while a property purchase completes.
Moving from Premium Visa to residence
The visa can be converted from within Mauritius. A remote worker who later incorporates and applies for an Investor or Self-Employed permit, or a Premium Visa holder over 50 who moves to the Retired Non-Citizen permit, does not need to leave the country to do so. We plan the sequence at the outset so that the time on the Premium Visa is not wasted.
What the application involves
The application is made online through the EDB with a passport, proof of the intended stay and accommodation, evidence of income from outside Mauritius, and travel and health cover. Approval is typically quick. We handle it as part of a wider relocation rather than as a standalone service.
Questions we are asked
Can I move from the Premium Visa to a residence permit without leaving Mauritius?
Yes. A holder who later incorporates and applies for an Investor or Self-Employed permit, or who is over 50 and moves to the Retired Non-Citizen permit, can do so from within Mauritius.
Can I work for a Mauritian company?
No. The visa is for work performed remotely for an employer or clients outside Mauritius. Employment with a Mauritian employer requires an Occupation Permit or work permit.
Will I be taxed in Mauritius?
Income spent in Mauritius through foreign cards or accounts is not treated as remitted. Tax residence arises at 183 days in a tax year, and the treatment of foreign income from that point depends on the remittance basis and any treaty with the home jurisdiction.
Can my family come with me?
Yes. A spouse and children may be included, with additional evidence of means for each.
Not sure this is the right route?
Most people leave the first consultation with a different route from the one they arrived with. An hour, by appointment, and you leave with a clear view of which permit fits, what it will cost, and how long it will take.