What this permit is a Professional Occupation Permit in Mauritius?
A Professional Occupation Permit is a combined work and residence permit for non-citizens employed in Mauritius under a contract of employment and registered with the Economic Development Board EDB.
Eligibility and salary of a Professional Occupation Permit in Mauritius
A Professional must hold a signed employment contract with a Mauritian employer and meet minimum salary criteria.
The Professional category includes two subtypes based on monthly basic salary thresholds.
Two salary bands apply: ProPass at least MUR 30,000 monthly and Expert Pass at least MUR 250,000 monthly.
Duration and variants
Authorities grant the Professional OP for the contract period or up to 10 years, whichever is lesser.
A Short-term OP is available for up to 9 months, with a single extension up to 3 months if requested at least 15 days before expiry.
Application owner and platform
The employer must file the application on the National E‑Licensing System NELS and accompany the professional on the appointment day.
Authorities review and issue an Approval in Principle AIP, then complete in-person verification before the PIO issues the OP and UID.
Compliance and professional bodies
Where the role is regulated, the employer must obtain pre-registration or clearances, and the professional must register with the relevant council within three months.
Failure to provide proof of registration can lead to deregistration and permit cancellation.
Tax and sector clearances
Employers must file emoluments with the Mauritius Revenue Authority annually, and seconded professionals may provide foreign tax certificates at renewal.
Managers in banking may require clearance from the Bank of Mauritius before filing an OP application.
Medical tests and timing for a Professional Occupation Permit in Mauritius
Applicants must complete a medical exam and required tests, with HIV, Hepatitis B surface antigen, and chest X‑ray conducted in Mauritius.
Medical tests must be recent within six months and the permit is not recommended if infectious or communicable diseases are detected.
Right to invest
A Professional may invest in any business but cannot be employed in that business or derive salary or employment benefits from it.
A Professional may hold shares in the employer’s business but must not be a majority shareholder.
Your dependents if you opt for a Professional Occupation Permit in Mauritius
Dependents include spouse including opposite-sex common-law partner, parents, and unmarried dependent children including step or adopted children.
Dependents receive residence permits up to the main holder’s permit duration and cannot engage in gainful activity.
Switching jobs
To change employer, submit a fresh OP application that meets all criteria for the new role.
For termination, the employer must notify EDB immediately, after which PIO cancels the OP and the non-citizen must leave within one month unless searching.
Between jobs: grace and steps
Submit the Self‑Undertaking form within two weeks of termination to remain while seeking a new role.
With that filing, there is up to six months to secure new employment or apply under another category.
Renewals and timelines
File renewals at least one month before expiry on NELS and follow updated criteria under the law.
For renewals, an Approval in Principle is valid for 30 days to complete formalities, while new applications receive 90 days to complete all formalities.
Fees for a Professional Occupation Permit in Mauritius
- Professional OP fee paid by employer based on contract duration:
- Up to 2 years: USD 400.
- More than 2 and up to 3 years: USD 500.
- More than 3 and up to 5 years: USD 800.
- More than 5 and up to 10 years: USD 1,000.
- Short-term OP: first issue USD 300; single extension up to 3 months USD 150.
- Dependents: USD 400 per dependent.
Travel, visas, and AIP
The AIP is not a visa, and applicants must enter Mauritius on an appropriate visa and keep it valid.
If the visa will expire before completion, request an extension with PIO in time.
Updates, monitoring, and cancellation
The local authorities may monitor compliance, including site visits and coordination with Mauritius Revenue Authority.
From a Professional Occupation Permit to a Permanent Residence (PRP) path in Mauritius
A Professional can qualify for a 20‑year PRP after five consecutive years with a basic monthly salary of at least MUR 400,000.
Submit the PRP application no later than six months after meeting the criterion.
Common pitfalls to avoid
- Missing employer undertakings, job description, or contract addendum where dates differ.
- Skipping professional council registration within three months in regulated sectors.
- Medical tests older than six months or missing required Mauritius-based tests.
Comparison: ProPass vs Expert Pass in Mauritius
| Item | ProPass | Expert Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum monthly basic salary | MUR 30,000 | MUR 250,000 |
| Permit duration | Contract period or up to 10 years | Contract period or up to 10 years |
| Application filed by | Employer on NELS | Employer on NELS |
| PRP salary benchmark | PRP needs MUR 400,000 for 5 years, separate from ProPass threshold | PRP needs MUR 400,000 for 5 years, separate from Expert threshold |
FAQs for a Professional Occupation Permit in Mauritius
Q: Who submits the Professional Occupation Permit application?
A: The employer submits on NELS and must attend the appointment with the professional.
Q: How long is the Approval in Principle valid?
A: New applications get 90 days, while renewals get 30 days to complete formalities.
Q: Can a Professional invest in a business?
A: Yes, but without being employed in it or receiving salary; shareholding is allowed if not majority.
Q: What happens after termination?
A: The employer notifies EDB, PIO cancels the Occupation Permit, and the non-citizen must depart within one month unless searching and filing the Self‑Undertaking.
Q: Which medical tests must be done in Mauritius?
A: HIV, Hepatitis B surface antigen, and chest X‑ray must be done locally.
Q: What fees apply to Short-term OPs?
A: USD 300 for the first issuance and USD 150 for the single extension.
Q: Can a Professional switch employers?
A: Yes, but a fresh Occupation Permit application is required and must meet all criteria.
Q: When should renewals be filed?
A: At least one month before permit expiry, via NELS.
Legal and policy basis
Key instruments include the Immigration Act 2022, the Economic Development Board Act 2017, and relevant sectoral laws.
Guidelines may change without notice, and authorities advise direct confirmation if uncertainty arises.
Why choose Renesis Financial Services
Renesis Financial Services Ltd is an FSC‑licensed management company offering integrated immigration, corporate, and compliance delivery for Professional Occupation Permits, from first eligibility checks to renewals and PRP planning. The team aligns employer obligations, contract details, and sector registrations to de‑risk timelines and accelerate permit issuance.
- Regulated expertise
Renesis has operated under Mauritius’ financial services framework since 2013, combining immigration delivery with corporate, tax, and governance know‑how for stress‑tested outcomes. - End‑to‑end permit delivery
From ProPass and Expert Pass eligibility mapping to document preparation, platform submission, Approval‑in‑Principle follow‑up, appointment scheduling, and issuance logistics, the service is designed for full lifecycle coverage. - Sectoral registrations handled
Where roles require registrations or clearances (e.g., health councils, engineering boards, financial services regulators), Renesis coordinates pre‑registration, evidence collation, and post‑issuance completion within statutory windows. - Dependents and family inclusion
Dependent Residence Permit applications (spouse/common‑law partner, parents, and unmarried dependent children) are bundled with the main file, aligning medicals, fees, and appointments to shorten overall timelines. - Renewal and monitoring support
Renewals are scheduled proactively with document refresh, medical validity checks, and salary continuity verification, supported by compliance monitoring to remain audit‑ready throughout the permit term. - PRP pathway planning
Professionals targeting a 20‑year Permanent Residence Permit receive salary‑track dashboards and evidence frameworks to document qualifying months and submit within statutory application windows. - Corporate structuring synergy
Where corporate vehicles, payroll setup, or banking are required, Renesis integrates company formation, officer appointments, and account opening to synchronize immigration with operational go‑live.
Ready to proceed with a Professional OP strategy? Book a meeting now by clicking here or email contact@renesis.mu discuss further.