Residency by Property Acquisition
A non-citizen who buys residential property in an EDB-approved scheme for at least USD 375,000 is eligible for a residence permit for as long as the property is held. The permit covers the buyer's spouse and dependent children, and exempts the holder from the need for a work or occupation permit.
At a glance
| Minimum purchase price | USD 375,000, or the equivalent in any hard convertible currency at the selling rate in force on the date the title deed is signed |
|---|---|
| Eligible schemes | Integrated Resort Scheme, Real Estate Scheme, Invest Hotel Scheme, Property Development Scheme, Smart City Scheme, and apartments used as a residence in buildings of at least two floors above the ground floor |
| Validity | For as long as the holder owns the property |
| Work | The holder is exempt from the requirement to hold a work or occupation permit |
| Dependents | Spouse or common-law partner and dependent children |
| Below the threshold | Purchases below USD 375,000 in an approved scheme are permitted but do not carry a residence permit |
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
A buyer who has decided to own a home in Mauritius in any case, and for whom the residence permit is a consequence of that decision rather than its purpose. The permit is tied to the asset, so it is not the right route for someone who wants residency first and would rather rent.
The acquisition itself
The purchase follows a defined sequence: reservation, EDB application for authorisation to acquire, the notarial deed, and registration. Off-plan purchases under a VEFA contract add a further layer, with staged payments tied to construction milestones and a financial guarantee from the developer. We cover this in detail in the Property section, and we act for the buyer throughout, alongside the notary.
The permit
Once the deed is signed and the EDB has recorded the acquisition, the residence permit is applied for through the EDB and issued by the Passport and Immigration Office. The permit remains valid while the property is held, and lapses on sale unless the holder has qualified under another route by then.
Questions we are asked
Which schemes qualify?
Integrated Resort Scheme, Real Estate Scheme, Invest Hotel Scheme, Property Development Scheme, Smart City Scheme, and an apartment used as a residence in a building with at least two floors above the ground floor. In every case the purchase price must be at least USD 375,000.
Can I buy for less than USD 375,000?
Yes, within the schemes, but the purchase does not carry a residence permit. Buyers below the threshold who want to live in Mauritius combine the purchase with another route, most often the Retired Non-Citizen permit or an Occupation Permit.
Can I work on this permit?
Yes. The holder is exempt from the requirement to hold a work or occupation permit.
What happens if I sell?
The permit is tied to the property and lapses on sale. A holder who intends to sell and stay should qualify under another route before completing.
Can I hold the property through a company or trust?
Yes. A Mauritian Domestic Company may acquire scheme property and its shares may be held in trust. The residence permit can be obtained through the structure, subject to the EDB's conditions. The structure must be in place before the deed.
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.