Professional Occupation Permit
The Professional Occupation Permit allows a non-citizen to take up employment with a Mauritian employer. It is applied for by the employer, is valid for up to ten years, and gives the holder and their dependents the right to live in Mauritius for the duration of the contract.
At a glance
| Minimum basic salary | MUR 50,000 a month, across all sectors, following the 2026-27 Budget |
|---|---|
| Applicant | The employer applies, with the employee as beneficiary |
| Validity | Up to 10 years, or the length of the employment contract if shorter |
| Dependents | Spouse or common-law partner, unmarried dependent children and parents |
| Existing holders | A professional holding an active permit under the former MUR 30,000 criterion is eligible for one renewal on that basis |
| Short-term permit | A Short-term Occupation Permit is available for up to 9 months, extendable once by 3 months |
| Shareholding | A professional may hold shares in the employer, but not a majority, and may invest in other businesses without being employed by them |
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
The permit is for someone who will be an employee rather than an owner. It is common for executives relocating with an international group, for specialists recruited by Mauritian firms, and for a founder's spouse who takes a role within the family company.
The former ProPass and Expert Pass tiers have been merged into a single Professional category with one salary threshold. The distinction that mattered under the old system, between a standard professional and a senior expert, no longer affects the application.
Employment within your own company
A structure we are often asked about is the founder who holds the Investor permit and a spouse who is employed by the same company on a Professional permit. This works, and it can be the right answer where both partners will be active in the business. The salary must be real, paid monthly, and declared to the Mauritius Revenue Authority, the company must be able to show that it is earning enough to pay it, and the professional may not be the majority shareholder of the employer.
Changing employer
The permit is tied to the employer. A professional who moves to another company needs a fresh permit under the new employer, and if employment ends the permit is cancelled. There is a limited window in which a holder may remain in Mauritius to secure new employment or a new permit, provided the right steps are taken promptly. Restraint of trade clauses in the old contract can complicate a move within the same field. We advise on the sequence before notice is given.
What the application involves
The employer applies, with the contract of employment, the company's documents and the applicant's qualifications. Regulated professions require clearance or registration with the relevant council, and senior banking roles require Bank of Mauritius clearance. Once approved, the employee attends in person for issuance with a representative of the employer.
Questions we are asked
Can I hold shares in the company that employs me?
Yes, provided you are not the majority shareholder. You may also invest in other businesses, provided you are not employed by them and draw no salary or benefits from them.
What happens to my permit if I change jobs?
The permit is tied to the employer. A move to another company requires a fresh permit under the new employer, and the old one is cancelled. There is a limited period in which you may remain in Mauritius to secure new employment, provided the right steps are taken promptly after the old contract ends.
Does the MUR 50,000 salary threshold apply to my existing permit?
A professional already holding a permit granted under the former MUR 30,000 criterion remains eligible for one renewal on that basis. New applications are assessed at MUR 50,000.
Can my employer be a company I own with my spouse?
Yes, and it is a common structure alongside an Investor permit held by the other spouse. The salary must be real, paid monthly and declared, and you may not be the majority shareholder of the employer.
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.