Are you seeking residency through property acquisitions? This article aims to provide you with comprehensive information on the process, eligibility criteria and other essential details related to obtaining a residency permit in Mauritius through property acquisition. Mauritius offers different types of schemes such as IRS, RES, PDS and The Smart City Scheme.
What are the different types of schemes available for residency by property acquisition?
1. Integrated Resort Scheme (IRS)
Under the IRS, residential estates are equipped with a wide range of top-notch leisure, entertainment, and wellness amenities, such as golf courses, marinas, beach clubs, clubhouses, and wellness centers that surround the residences and offer a luxurious resort experience.
Non-citizens are permitted to purchase residential properties such as villas, townhouses, penthouses, apartments, duplexes, and serviced land parcels in ongoing IRS projects.
If the property was purchased for at least USD 375,000, the non-citizen and their dependents are eligible for a residence permit. The property’s owners are free to rent it out, settle in Mauritius as tax residents, and remit any money or earnings from selling or renting the property back home without restriction.
The requirement for an occupation or work permit to invest in and work in Mauritius will not apply to non-citizens who hold a resident visa under IRS.
2. Real Estate Scheme (RES)
Real Estate Scheme (RES) projects provide a variety of residences (villas, penthouses, duplexes, and apartments) in exclusive, albeit modest, residential developments.
A foreigner can purchase a residential home in an existing RES project and be eligible for a residence permit for himself and his dependents if he invests at least USD 375,000 in the purchase. The owners may rent the property, become tax residents in Mauritius, and repatriate funds or revenue generated by the sale or rental of the property without restriction.
Non-citizens with a RES residence permit will be excluded from obtaining an Occupation or Work permit in order to invest and work in Mauritius.
3. Property Development Scheme (PDS)
The Property Development Scheme (PDS) was created to facilitate the development and subsequent purchase of luxurious properties by non-citizens in Mauritius.
This scheme’s projects include superb luxury residential buildings of high international standards, as well as high-quality open spaces, first-rate leisure and recreational amenities, and day-to-day management services.
A non-citizen is awarded a residency permit for the duration of his or her ownership of a residential property valued at more than USD 375,000. A residence permit is also issued to the spouse and children under the age of 24.
Non-citizens with a PDS resident permit will not need an Occupation or Work permit to invest and work in Mauritius.
4. Smart City Scheme
Smart Cities are innovative urban projects that blend work, life, and play. They are large, modern developments in cities, featuring advanced technology and creativity. These cities include residential areas designed for a sustainable and enjoyable lifestyle, with space for innovative businesses and various leisure services.
Non-citizens can buy different types of homes in these Smart Cities, like townhouses, villas, apartments, penthouses, or duplexes.
If a non-citizen invests at least USD 375,000 in residential property, they become eligible for a residence permit. This makes living in a Smart City more accessible and attractive.
Smart City Certificate Holders:
- Savannah Smart City Ltd
- Cap Tamarin Smart City
- Uniciti (Medine Smart City)
- Moka City Ltd
- Saint Felix Smart City Ltd
- Jin Fei Smart City
- Beau Plan Smart City
- Mon Choisy Smart City
- Hermes Properties Ltd
- Azuri Smart City Company Ltd
- Yihai Investment Ltd
- Royal St Louis Development Ltd
- New Montebello Development Ltd
- Cote D’or Data Technology Park
- Ferney Development Ltd
Who is eligible?
Acquiring residential property in Mauritius, especially through IRS (Integrated Resort Scheme), RES (Real Estate Scheme), or PDS (Property Development Scheme) companies, is a promising venture for both non-citizens and citizens of Mauritius. Additionally, various legal entities, including foreign companies, domestic companies, sociétés, and trusts, can also partake in this opportunity. Here’s a breakdown of the eligible categories:
Non-Citizens of Mauritius
Foreign individuals who are not citizens of Mauritius can invest in residential property through IRS, RES, or PDS companies.
Citizens of Mauritius
Citizens of Mauritius, whether residing locally or abroad, are entitled to participate in property acquisitions via these schemes.
Registered Foreign Companies
Companies registered as foreign entities under the Companies Act 2001 can engage in property acquisition through these schemes.
Domestic Companies
Companies incorporated under the Companies Act 2001 in Mauritius have the option to invest in residential properties through IRS, RES, or PDS companies.
Sociétés
Sociétés, whose deed of formation is deposited with the Registrar of Companies, are also eligible to acquire residential properties through these schemes.
Trusts
Trusts, with trusteeship services provided by a qualified trustee, either a management company or another person residing in Mauritius licensed by the Financial Services Commission, can partake in property acquisitions.
This inclusive approach ensures that a wide range of individuals and entities can benefit from the attractive investment opportunities offered by IRS, RES, and PDS companies in Mauritius.
What are the steps for acquisition of residential property?
- A non-citizen, citizen, company, société or trust wishing to acquire property under the IRS, RES or PDS scheme shall make an application to the Economic Development Board using the property acquisition and Management System – https://pams.investmauritius.com/Login/.
- The application should be submitted by the IRS/ RES/ PDS Company or a representative of the buyer. The following documents should be uploaded where:
- A non-refundable processing fee (per application submitted) by cheque drawn in favour of the Economic Development Board of:
- Rs 10,000 for acquisition in IRS/ RES
- Rs 20,000 for acquisition in PDS
- An application shall be considered as ready for processing at the date by which all the information, particulars and documents have been duly submitted and considered complete by EDB.
Residency in Mauritius
- A residence permit under the Immigration Act is granted to a non-citizen only upon acquisition of a residential property whose value exceeds USD 375,000 or its equivalent in other freely convertible currencies.
- Where payment shall be effected in currencies other than USD, the Economic Development Board will use the exchange rate at selling price in force at time of signature of the title deed.
- The residential property is deemed to be acquired and registered following payment of the relevant registration duty to the registrar general.
- The IRS or RES or PDS Company must inform EDB by way of a letter addressed to the Chief Executive Officer on registration of the immovable property and submit a certificate from the Notary (Notary Certificate) to the effect that the deed drawn has been duly registered and transcribed. The certificate should include the price of the property.
- The following documents should accompany the duly filled application form (Annex) submitted for a residence permit, by main applicant and his/ her dependents, under the IRS/ RES/PDS Schemes: (i) Certified true copies of passport and birth certificates for each applicant; (ii) Two passport size photographs for each applicant; (iii) Medical Certificates for each applicant with a validity period of 6 months; (iv) Morality Certificates of applicants, above the age of 18, with a validity period of 6 months; (v) Notary certificate attesting that the deed for the residential property has been duly registered and transcribed; (vi) In case of a couple – a certified true copy of the marriage certificate or a ‘certificat de concubinage’ or an ‘affidavit’ whichever is applicable; and (vii) UID Form (provided in Annex) Based on the category of application, others documents may include:
Company (i) Board resolution from the Company’s secretary or Director nominating the non-citizen (shareholder, executive Director or CEO of the Company) as main applicant to apply for a residency (ii) Updated register of shareholders (iii) Background information/ details of the Company activities Trust (i) Letter from Qualified trustee nominating a non-citizen as main applicant and who is also a beneficiary of the trust to apply for residence permit (ii) A copy of Trust deed Societe (i) Letter from the gérant nominating a non-citizen, being an active member of the Société as main applicant, to apply for residence permit (ii) A copy of the ‘Statut de Societe’
- The residence permit granted to the non-citizen shall remain in force until such time that the noncitizen shall hold the residential property under the scheme or the where the person nominated by the company’s secretary, director, gérant or qualified trustee, of the entity, as the case may be, informs the Economic Development Board to terminate the residency.