Island country considered the safest in Africa is looking for wealthy South Africans

Mauritius is offering a new Golden Visa to high-net-worth foreigners, targeting up to 100 investors a year with a minimum $1 million entry requirement.

For years, Mauritius has been a favourite destination for South African emigrants. Estimates from 2024 indicate that between 4,000 and 10,000 South Africans reside on the island.

Now, the country has made it even easier for wealthy South Africans to relocate. Earlier in 2026, Mauritius announced plans to introduce a Golden Visa for high-net-worth individuals (HNWIs).

Boolell Advisory Mauritius (BAM) explained that this multiple-entry visa was introduced to better meet the needs of HNWIs and their immediate dependents.

When the visa was announced, the country framed this move as a strategic response to the changing global environment.

Government messaging linked the visa initiative to geopolitical instability and disruptions in the Middle East, BAM said.

It also positioned it as an opportunity to attract affluent international investors seeking a safe, stable jurisdiction in which to live and conduct business.

Now, the guidelines for the Golden Visa have been finalised, as noted by the Economic Development Board (EDB) during a board meeting on 23 May 2026. The publication of the guidelines on the website is imminent as well.

However, questions have been raised about what the Golden Visa is intended to achieve that Mauritius’ existing residence-by-investment framework does not already offer.

From parliamentary debates, it transpired that applicants must invest at least $1 million (around R16.49 million) within 1 year of relocating.

This investment can be made into economic sectors including fintech, biotechnology, artificial intelligence, and renewable energy.

Much focus was placed on fast-track processing within 5 days of the application date and an annual cap of 100 applicants.

It seems to have created uncertainty among many expatriates in Mauritius who have Residence Permits through property acquisitions and wonder whether the requirements will change or jeopardise this route to residency.

Experts raise questions

Business advisors, immigration professionals, and parliamentary questions have raised several concerns or requested clarity, BAM explained.

Some industry observers had initially expected the Golden Visa initiative to be a rebranding of the existing Premium Visa programme, aimed at attracting remote workers.

This visa is valid for 1 year and is ideal for digital nomads who must demonstrate financial autonomy by showing a monthly income of at least $1,500.

The Golden Visa was apparently intended to make the Premium Visa more effective at attracting remote workers.

In contrast, the holders of Golden Visas will not automatically be entitled to enter the Mauritian labour market as they will be expected to invest in qualifying sectors.

However, commentators have questioned why someone would elect the $1 million investment eligibility if they can opt for a Premium Visa.

Currently, Residence Permits fall into three main categories: Retired Non-Citizen, Property Acquisition, and Dependent.

An applicant seeking to acquire property in Mauritius under one of the eligible property schemes approved by the EDB must buy property with a purchase price of at least $375,000.

Successful applicants are exempt from the requirement for a work or occupation permit, and the exemption lasts as long as the applicant remains the owner of the property by the same means by which they acquired it.

Investment criteria

Details from the Parliamentary Hansard of 28 May 2026 and 5 May 2026 revealed more of the government’s intention with the Golden Visa.

At the heart of the program is a written undertaking, given at the time of application, to invest at least $1 million within the first 12 months of relocation, BAM pointed out.

In response to parliamentary questions, Prime Minister Dr Navin Ramgoolam said the EDB has received multiple enquiries from foreigners interested in relocating to Mauritius with their families.

The introduction of the Golden Visa is in response to this demand. It will be valid for up to two years and can be renewed upon submission of a new application.

“The aim is to maximise the economic benefits to Mauritius through long-term stay of Golden Visa Holders and subsequently encourage them to relocate their funds and channel investments to different sectors of our economy.”

Golden Visa holders will be able to enrol their children in private educational institutions in Mauritius, import their personal belongings and bring their pets, and open bank accounts in Mauritius.

They will also need to pay their taxes in Mauritius if they spend 183 days or more in Mauritius while benefitting from tax exemption on expenditure in Mauritius made through foreign credit or debit cards.

Taxes must also be paid on income remitted and deposited into a Mauritian bank account, provided a declaration is made that the applicable tax has already been paid abroad.

Regarding housing affordability and land ownership, Ramgoolam said that Golden Visa Holders will only be allowed to acquire residential properties strictly under the EDB property schemes.

This includes, for example, the Property Development Scheme, the Invest Hotel Scheme, and the Smart City Scheme.

He went on to clarify that Golden Visa holders would initially stay in hotels or rent residential properties under the EDB schemes.

“There is, therefore, spare capacity in the high-end property rental market to accommodate these individuals without affecting housing affordability for Mauritian citizens.”

Following its May board meeting, the EDB said the Golden Visa forms part of a series of measures endorsed to strengthen Mauritius’ investment climate.

The visa initiative also seeks to support export growth, enhance business facilitation and advance targeted policy reform.

It also underscores the EDB’s continued commitment to enabling high-value investment, improving the ease of doing business and supporting strategic sectors of the economy.

There seems to be a broad consensus that Mauritius should attract high-net-worth individuals, BAM noted.

However, the focus will now shift to whether the final guidelines for the Golden Visa programme will provide the necessary clarity, business advisors say.