WORK & COMPANY FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
WHAT MUST I DO TO BECOME SELF-EMPLOYED IN MAURITIUS AS A SOUTH AFRICAN?
To work for yourself, you will need to apply for an Occupation Permit as a Self-Employed and transfer an amount of $35,000 into your local Mauritian account. You will not be able to register a business and must trade in your own name, similar to being an independent contractor. Two letters of intent from potential clients must be submitted interalia with the application.
IS IT POSSIBLE TO BUY PROPERTY AND WORK IN MAURITIUS?
WHAT MUST I DO TO BECOME SELF-EMPLOYED IN MAURITIUS AS A SOUTH AFRICAN?
IS IT POSSIBLE TO BUY PROPERTY AND WORK IN MAURITIUS?
To work for yourself, you will need to apply for an Occupation Permit as a Self-Employed and transfer an amount of $35,000 into your local Mauritian account. You will not be able to register a business and must trade in your own name, similar to being an independent contractor. Two letters of intent from potential clients must be submitted interalia with the application.
Where you obtain Permanent Residence through the acquisitions of a property in Mauritius above $375,000, you will be able to work and / or earn a salary in terms of this permit. You will also be allowed to be a shareholder of a company and earn dividends.
WHEN SETTING UP A COMPANY IN MAURITIUS, IS THERE ANY REQUIREMENT TO HAVE MAURITIAN CITIZENS ON THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS?
In the case of setting up a company with a global business licence, you will indeed need to nominate two resident Directors. A Resident director does not necessarily need to be a Mauritian Citizen (i.e. permit holder etc.). They can be Non-Executive Directors. A domestic company does not have this requirement. We are able to assist you identify what company structure you would need to go for based on your business activity and longer-term objectives.
CAN I OPEN AN OFFSHORE BUSINESS AND ACCOUNT IN MAURITIUS? WHILST KEEPING THE MAIN BUSINESS TRADING IN SOUTH AFRICA? IF SO, WHAT SORT OF PERMIT WOULD ONE NEED TO APPLY FOR? AND CAN WE BRING OVER SPOUSE, KIDS, AND PARENTS ON THAT PERMIT TYPE?
WHEN SETTING UP A COMPANY IN MAURITIUS, IS THERE ANY REQUIREMENT TO HAVE MAURITIAN CITIZENS ON THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS?
CAN I OPEN AN OFFSHORE BUSINESS AND ACCOUNT IN MAURITIUS? WHILST KEEPING THE MAIN BUSINESS TRADING IN SOUTH AFRICA? IF SO, WHAT SORT OF PERMIT WOULD ONE NEED TO APPLY FOR? AND CAN WE BRING OVER SPOUSE, KIDS, AND PARENTS ON THAT PERMIT TYPE?
In the case of setting up a company with a global business licence, you will indeed need to nominate two resident Directors. A Resident director does not necessarily need to be a Mauritian Citizen (i.e. permit holder etc.). They can be Non-Executive Directors. A domestic company does not have this requirement. We are able to assist you identify what company structure you would need to go for based on your business activity and longer-term objectives.
Yes, you may set up an offshore business in Mauritius and there are several permit options you may consider depending on the corporate structure you will choose. This will include options that allow you to bring your spouse, children, and parents. Children may qualify for a Dependent Permit up until the age of 24.
CAN A PERSON ON A RESIDENCE PERMIT TAKE UP A DIRECTORSHIP IN A NON-PROFIT ORGANISATION, TO ASSIST WITH THE RUNNING OF THE NPO.
Yes – as long as it’s in a volunteer position without any fees attached to the position.
IF YOU INVEST $50,000 AS A CAPITAL INVESTMENT AND YOU GET AN OP, WOULD ONE BE ALLOWED TO WORK ON THE ISLAND?
The OP will allow you to work on the island.
CAN A PERSON ON A RESIDENCE PERMIT TAKE UP A DIRECTORSHIP IN A NON-PROFIT ORGANISATION, TO ASSIST WITH THE RUNNING OF THE NPO.
IF YOU INVEST $50,000 AS A CAPITAL INVESTMENT AND YOU GET AN OP, WOULD ONE BE ALLOWED TO WORK ON THE ISLAND?
Yes – as long as it’s in a volunteer position without any fees attached to the position.
The Occupation Permit as an Investor will allow you to work on the island.
ARE THERE GOOD OPPORTUNITIES FOR CHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS IN MAURITIUS?
There is a running joke in Mauritius that we have the highest number of accountants and lawyers per capita out of any country in Africa! There are a lot of employment opportunities for someone who is qualified or even in the process of getting qualified.
IF A COMPANY IS OPENED DOES THERE NEED TO BE A MINIMUM AMOUNT OF DIRECTORS REQUIRED? ALSO, DOES THE COMPANY HAVE TO BE PRIMARILY OPERATING IN MAURITIUS OR CAN THEY BE OPERATING IN OTHER AFRICAN COUNTRIES AS WELL AND USE THIS COMPANY AS A HEAD OFFICE AS WELL AS LIVING THERE? I.E. MY HUSBAND HAS A COMPANY IN TANZANIA, BUT WE WOULD LIKE TO POSSIBLY MOVE TO MAURITIUS AND LIVE THERE AND MOVE HIS HEAD OFFICE TO MAURITIUS, ALTHOUGH IT WOULD PROBABLY BE JUST US IN MAURITIUS
As long as it’s a company locally registered in Mauritius – you are eligible to make the application. If it will be only you two in Mauritius under that company, we are able to offer you some structuring options which would increase your relocation options as well.
ARE THERE GOOD OPPORTUNITIES FOR CHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS IN MAURITIUS?
CAN SOMEONE WITH PERMANENT RESIDENCE THROUGH PROPERTY INVESTMENT (PRP) WORK IN MAURITIUS? IF SO, DO THEY NEED TO WORK FOR A COMPANY OR CAN THEY OPEN THEIR OWN COMPANY WITHOUT INVESTING 100K?
There is a running joke in Mauritius that we have the highest number of accountants and lawyers per capita out of any country in Africa! There are a lot of employment opportunities for someone who is qualified or even in the process of getting qualified.
Yes, under the Residence Permit on the basis of the acquisition of property, you may now choose to work, invest, or set up a company with a minimum investment amount.
WHAT ARE THE LIMITATIONS FOR DEPENDENTS TO WORK IN MAURITIUS (SALARY, TYPE OF INDUSTRY, QUALIFICATIONS)?
Dependents shall not be allowed to undertake work activities as a Dependent in Mauritius. Should they receive an offer of employment, they must apply for an Occupation Permit under said offer.
I SEE THEY ARE ALLOWING OP AND RETIREMENT PERMITS HOLDERS TO BE SHAREHOLDERS IN MAURITIAN COMPANIES. WHAT ARE THE LIMITATIONS?
The limitations of this change are yet to be officially announced and/or passed into law.
WHAT ARE THE LIMITATIONS FOR DEPENDENTS TO WORK IN MAURITIUS (SALARY, TYPE OF INDUSTRY, QUALIFICATIONS)?
I SEE THEY ARE ALLOWING OP AND RETIREMENT PERMITS HOLDERS TO BE SHAREHOLDERS IN MAURITIAN COMPANIES. WHAT ARE THE LIMITATIONS?
Dependents shall not be allowed to undertake work activities as a Dependent in Mauritius. Should they receive an offer of employment, they must apply for an Occupation Permit under said offer.
The limitations of this change are yet to be officially announced and/or passed into law.
CAN SOMEONE WITH PERMANENT RESIDENCE THROUGH PROPERTY INVESTMENT (PRP) WORK IN MAURITIUS? IF SO, DO THEY NEED TO WORK FOR A COMPANY OR CAN THEY OPEN THEIR OWN COMPANY WITHOUT INVESTING 100K?
Yes, under the Residence Permit on the basis of the acquisition of property, you may now choose to work, invest, or set up a company with a minimum investment amount.