Mauritius Golden Visa 2026: USD 1 Million, 5-Day Processing and 100 Annual Places Explained

The Mauritius Golden Visa is the most exclusive residency programme in the Indian Ocean, capped at 100 investors annually, requiring a USD 1 million commitment in a qualifying growth sector, and processing applications in as few as 5 business days. Approved by Cabinet on 10 April 2026 and covered by Bloomberg, Fortune, and IMI Daily on launch day, it positions Mauritius as a serious alternative to the UAE and Singapore for ultra-high-net-worth investors seeking a zero-CGT base with strong DTA protection and access to East Africa's most dynamic financial services market.

Mauritius holds a 15% flat income tax, no capital gains tax, no wealth tax, no inheritance tax, and an extensive network of double taxation agreements spanning India, the UK, France, China, and South Africa, covering the primary investor nationalities. For investors who need swift legal residency alongside a genuine sector investment, no comparable Indian Ocean programme currently matches the Mauritius Golden Visa on speed or tax efficiency.

With only 100 annual places available, early applicants hold a competitive advantage. Mirabello Consultancy, IMC member, ACAMS certified, Zurich-based, 99% approval rate across 250+ investment migration cases, can assess your eligibility and manage your Golden Visa application from end to end. Book your free consultation today.

Last updated: 6 August 2026

What Is the Mauritius Golden Visa?

The Mauritius Golden Visa is a premium, sector-linked residency programme approved by the Mauritian Cabinet on 10 April 2026 and administered by the Economic Development Board (EDB). It provides a 2-year multiple-entry visa, renewable, to investors committing USD 1 million in fintech, artificial intelligence, biotechnology, renewable energy, or global treasury operations, with a 5-business-day processing target and an annual quota of 100 places.

The programme occupies a distinct position in the Mauritius residency landscape. The existing property purchase route (USD 375,000 in an approved scheme) and the Investor Occupation Permit (USD 50,000-100,000 with business turnover requirements) remain active. The Golden Visa is a premium third tier targeted at ultra-high-net-worth investors with genuine sector expertise, not passive property buyers.

EDB guidelines were finalised on 23 May 2026. Due diligence is conducted in two stages: the EDB performs international World-Check screening for AML and sanctions compliance, followed by a background check by the Passport and Immigration Office. Both stages must clear before the 5-day processing target begins. The dual-stage approach reflects Mauritius's commitment to its FATF-compliant status, critical for investors who need a residency jurisdiction that will not attract international scrutiny.

The programme was designed explicitly to attract investors whose capital brings sector expertise alongside financial scale. The Economic Development Board, in language reported by Bloomberg on 5 May 2026, described the target investor profile as individuals who "accelerate innovation sectors", distinct from the passive property investment that characterises most Indian Ocean residency programmes.

Who Qualifies for the Mauritius Golden Visa?

Qualifying investors must be able to commit USD 1 million to a government-approved sector within 12 months of visa approval. There are no nationality restrictions, the programme is open to all nationalities worldwide. Applicants must hold a clean criminal record and demonstrate legitimate source of funds. Immediate family members (spouse, dependent children, dependent parents) are all included under one application without additional investment.

The five qualifying sectors are fintech, artificial intelligence, biotechnology, renewable energy, and global treasury operations. Investors do not need prior Mauritius connections or previous applications. A professional track record in the qualifying sector strengthens an application, the EDB screening is designed to identify investors who bring both capital and credible sectoral expertise.

Target investor profiles:

• UHNWI investors building or expanding fintech, AI, or clean-energy operations in sub-Saharan Africa or the Indian Ocean region
• UK-based investors post-non-dom abolition seeking a zero-CGT territorial-tax alternative to Cyprus or Malta
• UAE-resident investors who hold a UAE Golden Visa but want a second, tax-efficient base with a strong DTA for India or Africa exposure
• Indian and Chinese HNWIs seeking a politically stable, English-speaking, Commonwealth residency with a 5-year citizenship path

Who may find alternatives more suitable:

• Investors seeking immediate citizenship (not residency) → Caribbean CBI programmes from USD 200,000
• Investors with investment ceiling below USD 1 million → Mauritius property residency at USD 375,000 or Greece Golden Visa from EUR 250,000
• Investors requiring Schengen area access → Greece Golden Visa

What Are the Investment Requirements for the Mauritius Golden Visa?

The Mauritius Golden Visa requires a minimum investment of USD 1 million, committed within 12 months of visa approval, in one of five qualifying sectors. The 100 annual quota operates on a first-come, first-served basis, investors who submit complete applications first secure their place in that year's cohort. There is no government contribution or donation component: the full USD 1 million is a sector investment, not a fee.

For investors comparing investment levels: the Greece Golden Visa starts at EUR 250,000 (Zone C) or EUR 400,000 (Zone B property); Caribbean CBI programmes start from USD 200,000 (Dominica). The Mauritius Golden Visa's USD 1 million positions it firmly in the UHNWI segment, alongside the UAE's AED 2 million (approximately USD 545,000) Golden Visa and above most conventional European residency programmes.

How Quickly Is the Mauritius Golden Visa Processed?

The EDB targets a 5-business-day processing window from the point at which a complete, compliant application is submitted. This makes the Mauritius Golden Visa one of the fastest premium residency programmes globally for a USD 1 million commitment. Total end-to-end timeline, from engaging Mirabello for documentation preparation through to visa in hand, is typically 4-8 weeks, depending on how quickly source-of-funds documentation is assembled.

The 5-day EDB target applies to the agency review phase. The Passport and Immigration Office component adds additional processing time running in parallel. Neither stage requires physical attendance in Mauritius for the initial review, though the applicant and dependants will typically need to attend for biometric registration and permit collection.

Processing time comparison:

For investors who need swift legal residency, for example, UK HNWIs restructuring after non-dom abolition, or UAE-based investors seeking a second base, the Mauritius Golden Visa's speed advantage is material. Mirabello's advisory team manages document preparation and pre-screening to ensure applications reach the EDB in a state ready to trigger the 5-day clock.

What Are the Tax Benefits for Mauritius Golden Visa Holders?

Mauritius operates a territorial tax system with a 15% flat personal income tax rate on Mauritius-sourced income, zero capital gains tax, zero wealth tax, and zero inheritance tax. Foreign-source income that remains offshore is not taxable in Mauritius, only income that is remitted (brought into Mauritius) is subject to the 15% rate. For internationally mobile investors with multi-jurisdiction asset portfolios, this structure provides exceptional flexibility.

Mauritius has one of the widest double taxation agreement (DTA) networks of any small-island jurisdiction, agreements with India, France, the UK, South Africa, China, Singapore, Luxembourg, and over 45 other countries. For investors with significant exposure to Indian or African markets, the Mauritius-India DTA in particular provides substantial withholding tax reductions on dividends, interest, and royalties, a significant structural advantage versus establishing operations from a higher-tax jurisdiction.

In contrast: the UAE Golden Visa offers zero income tax, but Mauritius's DTA coverage is broader for investors active in Africa and South/Southeast Asia. The Greece Golden Visa provides EU access but applies Greek personal income tax rates (up to 44%). Caribbean CBI programmes offer zero income tax on foreign-source income but are not optimised for sub-Saharan Africa business operations.

Mirabello Consultancy advisors compare programme tax structures as part of your free eligibility assessment. Book your consultation, no commitment required.

What Is the Step-by-Step Application Process for the Mauritius Golden Visa?

The Mauritius Golden Visa application moves through five stages: eligibility confirmation, documentation, EDB submission, dual due-diligence review, and visa issuance. Mirabello manages every stage, from the initial eligibility assessment through to post-approval support, to minimise the risk of delays caused by incomplete documentation, which is the most common trigger for extended processing times.

1. Eligibility assessment, Confirm sector fit, investment structure, and source-of-funds documentation against EDB guidelines. Mirabello completes this as part of your free consultation.
2. Document preparation, Compile source-of-funds documentation, investment plan, business background, professional CV in the qualifying sector, passports, and family documentation for all dependants.
3. EDB submission, Submit complete application to the Economic Development Board. The 5-day processing clock begins once EDB confirms receipt of a complete, compliant application.
4. EDB World-Check screening, EDB conducts AML, PEP, and sanctions screening via international databases. This stage runs alongside the EDB investment-plan review.
5. Passport and Immigration Office review, Immigration background check for the investor and all named dependants. Runs in parallel with EDB review for most nationalities.
6. Visa issuance, 2-year multiple-entry Mauritius Golden Visa issued on EDB approval. Passport and Immigration Office issues the physical residence permit.
7. Investment deployment, USD 1 million invested in the qualifying sector within 12 months of visa issuance. EDB confirmation required on deployment.
8. Biometric registration, Investor and dependants register biometrics with Mauritius Immigration; national ID card issued to long-term residents.

Common causes of delay (which Mirabello's pre-screening eliminates):

• Source-of-funds documentation that does not match investment plan narrative
• Sector investment plan that does not clearly align with one of the five qualifying sectors
• Missing dependant documentation (a common oversight for family applications)
• AML flags that could have been identified and addressed during pre-screening

Frequently Asked Questions About the Mauritius Golden Visa 2026?

What is the minimum investment for the Mauritius Golden Visa?

The Mauritius Golden Visa requires a minimum investment of USD 1,000,000, committed within 12 months of visa approval. The investment must be directed into one of five qualifying sectors, fintech, artificial intelligence, biotechnology, renewable energy, or global treasury, through a business structure registered in or operating from Mauritius. The USD 1 million is a sector investment, not a government fee or donation. Government application fee is USD 50 only.

How many Mauritius Golden Visas are issued each year?

The Mauritius Golden Visa is capped at 100 places per year, allocated on a first-come, first-served basis once an application is confirmed complete and EDB guidelines are met. This annual quota distinguishes it from all other Mauritius residency routes (property purchase and Occupation Permit have no quota). Investors considering the programme should apply as early as possible to avoid the quota being exhausted. The programme launched in 2026 with quota remaining for the current year.

Does the Mauritius Golden Visa include my family?

Yes. Immediate family members are included under a single Mauritius Golden Visa application with no additional investment requirement. Covered dependants include your spouse, dependent children (of all ages, subject to EDB guidelines), and dependent parents. Each family member undergoes EDB and Passport and Immigration Office due diligence alongside the primary applicant. There is no per-person additional fee beyond the standard USD 50 application fee.

Is the Mauritius Golden Visa renewable?

The Mauritius Golden Visa is issued for an initial 2-year period as a multiple-entry visa and is renewable provided the investor maintains their qualifying sector investment. Long-term holders may subsequently apply for a 20-year Permanent Residence Permit after 5 years on an Occupation Permit route, or pursue Mauritius citizenship after 7 years of continuous residence (5 years for Commonwealth nationals including UK, Australian, Canadian, and Indian citizens). Mauritius permits dual citizenship, no renunciation of your existing nationality is required.

What taxes do Mauritius Golden Visa holders pay?

Mauritius Golden Visa holders are subject to a 15% flat personal income tax on Mauritius-sourced income. There is no capital gains tax, no wealth tax, and no inheritance or estate tax. Foreign-source income that is not remitted into Mauritius is not subject to local tax, a territorial system that is favourable for investors with diversified offshore asset portfolios. Corporate income tax is also 15% flat. Mauritius has DTA agreements with over 45 countries including India, the UK, France, China, and South Africa.

How Do I Start with Mirabello Consultancy?

Book a free consultation with Mirabello Consultancy, Zurich-based, IMC member, ACAMS certified, 99% approval rate across 250+ investment migration cases. Our team will assess your eligibility for the Mauritius Golden Visa, compare it against alternative programmes (Greece Golden Visa, Cyprus, Caribbean CBI), and present a personalised recommendation with realistic timelines and costs. Contact us at mirabelloconsultancy.com/contact-us-for-your-free-consultation or reach our advisors directly through our Zurich (+41) or Dubai offices.