The Mauritius Golden Visa is the country's first golden visa — an investor residence scheme for high-net-worth individuals who invest at least USD 1 million in qualifying high-value sectors within their first 12 months in the country. Approved in principle by the Cabinet on 10 April 2026 and introduced as a measure in the 2026-2027 Budget (effective 1 July 2026), it is now fully operational: the enabling law, the Economic and Financial Measures (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2026 (Act No. 13 of 2026), was assented on 12 August 2026, and in August 2026 the Economic Development Board (EDB) published detailed scheme guidelines. It extends the existing Premium Visa framework with two key enhancements — eligibility to apply for a Permanent Residence Permit as soon as the investment is made, and a five-working-day processing target.
Applications are submitted online through the EDB's National Electronic Licensing System (NELS). The EDB screens applications and recommends qualifying cases to the Passport and Immigration Office, which issues the visa. No processing fee applies to the Golden Visa itself.
The EDB guidelines list eleven qualifying sectors: financial services, fintech, ICT, tourism and hospitality, manufacturing, healthcare and wellness, education, renewable energy, blue economy, innovative or knowledge-based industries, and creative industries.
Upon effecting the USD 1 million investment in a qualifying activity during the first 12 months, the holder becomes eligible to apply for a Permanent Residence Permit — a materially faster route than the Occupation Permit (Investor) or the Residence Permit by Real Estate Investment, both of which require five consecutive years of prior permit-holding. Holders may alternatively switch to an Occupation Permit or a Residence Permit.
The visa is granted for up to two years, is multi-entry, and may be renewed on expiry. At renewal the evidence-of-funds undertaking and spouse dependant documents are not required.
Golden Visa holders receive the same Income Tax Act incentives as Premium Visa holders: income earned and taxed outside Mauritius is not taxed locally; funds remitted to Mauritius may be taxable unless prior taxation abroad is shown; and spending in Mauritius via foreign cards is not taxed. Mauritius applies a flat 15% income tax and levies no capital gains tax and no inheritance tax.
Spouse and children may accompany the holder, and dependent children may enrol in private educational institutions. A letter of consent is required where a child is accompanied by only one parent. Work permits for accompanying domestic workers are processed within 5 working days (Rs 700 application fee, payable by the employer).
Holders may initially stay in a hotel, rented property, or with a host, and may acquire residential property developed under the Integrated Resort Scheme (IRS), Real Estate Scheme (RES), Property Development Scheme (PDS), or Smart City Scheme (SCS), or an apartment in a building of at least ground-plus-two floors.
Applications are submitted online via NELS (business.edbmauritius.org). The EDB conducts initial screening and recommends qualifying applications to the Passport and Immigration Office, which processes and issues the visa. A Service Level Agreement targets processing within five working days from the date the application is deemed complete. No processing fee applies to the Golden Visa. The EDB also operates a Fast-Track Concierge Service for investors and HNWIs.