Moving to Mauritius: visas, cost of living & immigrant guide

4 facts — expand for details.

Population

1,379,365

Population Growth Rate

0.68%

Urban Population

41.800000

Population in Major Urban Areas

PORT LOUIS (capital) 151,000

8 facts — expand for details.

Age Structure

20.440000

Median Age

33.500000

Birth Rate - births/1,000 population

14

Death Rate - deaths/1,000 population

6.79

Total Fertility Rate - children born/woman

1.78

Contraceptive Prevalance Rate - female 12-49

75.8%

Contraceptive Prevalence Rate - female 12-49

75.8%

Sex Ratio at Birth - male/female

1.050000

Ethnic Groups

Indo-Mauritian 68%, Creole 27%, Sino-Mauritian 3%, Franco-Mauritian 2%

Nationality Noun

Mauritian(s)

6 facts — expand for details.

Literacy - total population

84.4%

Literacy - male

88.6%

Literacy - female

82.7%

Literacy Definition

age 15 and over can read and write

Education Expenditures - percent of GDP

3.5%

Total School Life Expectancy - (primary to tertiary)

16.000000

10 facts — expand for details.

Life Expectancy at Birth

74.940000

Infant Mortality Rate

10.890000

Infant Mortality Rate - total deaths/1,000 live births

10.890000

Maternal Mortality Rate - deaths/100,000 live births

60

Physicians Density - physicians/1,000 population

1.06

Hospital Bed Density - beds/1,000 population

3.4

Health Expenditures - percent of GDP

5.9%

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

18.5%

Drinking Water Source - percent of urban population improved

99.900000

Sanitation Facility Access - percent of urban population improved

91.700000

4 facts — expand for details.

Economic Overview

Since independence in 1968, Mauritius has undergone a remarkable economic transformation from a low-income, agriculturally based economy to a diversified, upper middle-income economy with growing industrial, financial, and tourist sectors.

Mauritius has achieved steady growth over the last several decades, resulting in more equitable income distribution, increased life expectancy, lowered infant mortality, and a much-improved infrastructure.

The economy currently depends on sugar, tourism, textiles and apparel, and financial services, but is expanding into fish processing, information and communications technology, education, and hospitality and property development.

Sugarcane is grown on about 90% of the cultivated land area but sugar makes up only around 3-4% of national GDP.

Authorities plan to emphasize services and innovation in the coming years.

After several years of slow growth, government policies now seek to stimulate economic growth in five areas: serving as a gateway for international investment into Africa; increasing the use of renewable energy; developing smart cities; growing the ocean economy; and upgrading and modernizing infrastructure, including public transportation, the port, and the airport.

Mauritius has attracted more than 32,000 offshore entities, many aimed at commerce in India, South Africa, and China.

The Mauritius International Financial Center is under scrutiny by international bodies promoting fair tax competition and Mauritius has been cooperating with the European Union and the United states in the automatic exchange of account information.

Mauritius is also a member of the OECD/G20’s Inclusive Framework on Base Erosion and Profit Shifting and is under pressure to review its Double Taxation Avoidance Agreements.

The offshore sector is vulnerable to changes in the tax framework and authorities have been working on a Financial Services Sector Blueprint to enable Mauritius to transition to a jurisdiction of higher value added.

Mauritius’ textile sector has taken advantage of the Africa Growth and Opportunity Act, a preferential trade program that allows duty free access to the US market, with Mauritian exports to the US growing by 35.6 % from 2000 to 2014.

However, lack of local labor as well as rising labor costs eroding the competitiveness of textile firms in Mauritius.

Mauritius' sound economic policies and prudent banking practices helped mitigate negative effects of the global financial crisis in 2008-09.

GDP grew in the 3-4% per year range in 2010-17, and the country continues to expand its trade and investment outreach around the globe.

Growth in the US and Europe fostered goods and services exports, including tourism, while lower oil prices kept inflation low.

Mauritius continues to rank as one of the most business-friendly environments on the continent and passed a Business Facilitation Act to improve competitiveness and long-term growth prospects.

A new National Economic Development Board was set up in 2017-2018 to spearhead efforts to promote exports and attract inward investment.

Industries

• food processing (largely sugar milling), textiles, clothing
• chemicals, metal products, transport equipment, nonelectrical machinery
• tourism

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$19,500.00 (USD)

GDP - real growth rate

3.2%

9 facts — expand for details.

GDP - Gross Domestic Product (PPP)

$24,640,000,000 (USD)

GDP Per Capita

$19,500.00 (USD)

GDP - real growth rate

3.2%

GDP - official exchange rate

$11,570,000,000 (USD)

GDP - composition, by end use

• consumption: 73.1% government
• consumption: 14.8% investment in fixed
• capital: 20.7% investment in
• inventories: 2.7% exports of goods and
• services: 57.9% imports of goods and
• services: -69.2%

GDP by Sector- agriculture

4.5%

GDP by Sector- Industry

21.7%

GDP by Sector- services

73.8%

Industrial Growth Rate

3.3%

5 facts — expand for details.

Inflation Rate

2.9%

Exchange Rate per US Dollar

Mauritian rupee (MUR)

Currency Name and Code

Mauritius Rupee (MUR)

Fiscal Year

1 July - 30 June

Commercial Bank Prime Lending Rate

8.67%

5 facts — expand for details.

Labor Force

597,000

Unemployment Rate

7.5%

Major Industries

• food processing (largely sugar milling), textiles, clothing
• chemicals, metal products, transport equipment, nonelectrical machinery
• tourism

Agriculture Products

• sugarcane, tea, corn, potatoes, bananas, pulses
• cattle, goats
• fish

Population Below Poverty Line

8%

6 facts — expand for details.

Labor Force By Occupation - agriculture and fishing

9%

Labor Force By Occupation - construction and industry

30%

Labor Force By Occupation - transportation and communication

7%

Labor Force By Occupation- finance

6%

Labor Force By Occupation- other services

25%

Labor Force By Occupation- trade, restaurants, hotels

22%

4 facts — expand for details.

Annual Budget

$2,114,000,000 (USD)

Public Debt (% of GDP)

26.2%

Budget Surplus or Deficit - percent of GDP

-1.9%

Taxes and other revenues - percent of GDP

21.1%

7 facts — expand for details.

Full Country Name

Republic of Mauritius

Country Name

Mauritius note: pronounced mah-rish-us

Local - Long

Republic of Mauritius

Local - Short

Mauritius

Etymology- history of name

island named after Prince Maurice VAN NASSAU, stadtholder of the Dutch Republic, in 1598

Independence

12 March 1968 (from the UK)

National Holiday

Independence and Republic Day, 12 March (1968 & 1992); note - became independent and a republic on the same date in 1968 and 1992 respectively

10 facts — expand for details.

Government Type

parliamentary republic

Constitution

• history: several previous; latest adopted 12 March 1968
• amendments: proposed by the National Assembly; passage of amendments affecting constitutional articles, including the sovereignty of the state, fundamental rights and freedoms, citizenship, or the branches of government, requires approval in a referendum by at least three-fourths majority of voters followed by a unanimous vote by the Assembly; passage of other amendments requires only two-thirds majority vote by the Assembly; amended many times, last in 2016

Legal System:

civil legal system based on French civil law with some elements of English common law

Executive Branch:

• chief of state: President Dharam GOKHOOL (since 7 December 2024)
• head of government: Prime Minister Navin RAMGOOLAM (since 13 November 2024)
• cabinet: Cabinet of Ministers (Council of Ministers) appointed by the president on the recommendation of the prime minister election/appointment
• process: president and vice president indirectly elected by the National Assembly for 5-year renewable terms; the president appoints the prime minister and deputy prime minister who have the majority support in the National Assembly most recent election
• date: 7 November 2019
• election results: 2019: Prithvirajsing ROOPUN (MSM) elected president by the National Assembly - unanimous vote 2015: Ameenah GURIB-FAKIM (independent) elected president by the National Assembly - unanimous vote expected date of next
• election: 2024

Legislative Branch:

• Description: unicameral National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale (70 seats maximum; 62 members directly elected multi-seat constituencies by simple majority vote and up to 8 seats allocated to non-elected party candidates by the Office of Electoral Commissioner; members serve a 5-year term)
• Elections: last held on 7 November 2019 (next to be held by late 2024)
• Election Results: percent of vote by party - Mauritian Alliance 2019 (MSM, ML, MAG, and PM) 37.7%, National Alliance (PTR, PMSD, and MJCB) 32.8%, MMM 20.6%, OPR 1%, Other 7.9%; elected seats by party as of November 2019 - the Militant Socialist Movement (MSM) 38 seats, the Mauritius Labour Party (PTR) or (MLP) 14, Mauritian Militant Movement (MMM) 8, and the Rodrigues People's Organization (OPR) 2; composition as of July 2022 - men 56, women 14, percent of women 20% (2019)

Judicial Branch:

• office: chief justice appointed by the president after consultation with the prime minister; senior puisne judge appointed by the president with the advice of the chief justice; other puisne judges appointed by the president with the advice of the Judicial and Legal Commission, a 4-member body of judicial officials including the chief justice; all judges serve until retirement at age 67
• subordinate courts: lower regional courts known as District Courts, Court of Civil Appeal; Court of Criminal Appeal; Public Bodies Appeal Tribunal

Regions or States:

9 districts and 3 dependencies*; Agalega Islands*, Black River, Cargados Carajos Shoals*, Flacq, Grand Port, Moka, Pamplemousses, Plaines Wilhems, Port Louis, Riviere du Rempart, Rodrigues*, Savanne

Political Parties and Leaders:

• Alliance Morisien (Mauritian Alliance 2019
• coalition includes PM, MSM, ML, and MAG) [Pravind JUGNAUTH]
• Jean-Claude Barbier Movement (Mouvement Jean-Claude Barbier) or MJCB [Jean-Claude Barbier]
• Mauritian Militant Movement (Mouvement Militant Mauricien) or MMM [Paul BERENGER]
• Mauritian Social Democratic Party (Parti Mauricien Social Democrate) or PMSD [Xavier Luc DUVAL]
• Mauritius Labor Party (Parti Travailliste) or PTR or MLP [Navinchandra RAMGOOLAM]
• Militant Platform or PM (Plateforme Militante) [Steven OBEEGADOO]
• Militant Socialist Movement (Mouvement Socialist Mauricien) or MSM [Pravind JUGNAUTH]
• Muvman Liberater or ML [Ivan COLLENDAVELLOO]
• National Alliance (coalition includes PTR, PMSD, and MJCB) [Navinchandra RAMGOOLAM]
• Patriotic Movement (Mouvement Patriotique) or MAG [Alan GANOO]
• Rodrigues Peoples Organization (Organisation du Peuple Rodriguais) or OPR [Serge CLAIR]
• Note: only parties with seats in the National Assembly listed

Suffrage:

18 years of age; universal

Citizenship Criteria:

• birth: yes citizenship by descent
• only: yes dual citizenship
• recognized: yes residency requirement for
• naturalization: 5 out of the previous 7 years including the last 12 months

Capital Name

Port Louis

Capital - geographic coordinate

20 09 S, 57 29 E

Capital Time Difference

UTC+4 (9 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

4 facts — expand for details.

International Organization Participation:

• ACP
• AfDB
• AOSIS
• AU
• CD
• COMESA
• CPLP (associate)
• FAO
• G-77
• IAEA
• IBRD
• ICAO
• ICC (NGOs)
• ICCt
• ICRM
• IDA
• IFAD
• IFC
• IFRCS
• IHO
• ILO
• IMF
• IMO
• IMSO
• InOC
• Interpol
• IOC
• IOM
• IPU
• ISO
• ITSO
• ITU
• ITUC (NGOs)
• MIGA
• NAM
• OIF
• OPCW
• PCA
• SAARC (observer)
• SADC
• UN
• UNCTAD
• UNESCO
• UNIDO
• UNWTO
• UPU
• WCO
• WFTU (NGOs)
• WHO
• WIPO
• WMO
• WTO

International Law Organization Participation:

accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction

Diplomatic Representation from US:

• Chief of Mission: Ambassador Henry V. JARDINE (since 22 February 2023); note - also accredited to Seychelles
• Embassy: 4th Floor, Rogers House, John Kennedy Avenue, Port Louis
• Mailing Address: 2450 Port Louis Place, Washington, DC 20521-2450
• Telephone: [230] 202-4400
• FAX: [230] 208-9534
• Email: PTLConsular@state.gov
• Website: https://mu.usembassy.gov/

Diplomatic Representation in the US:

• Chief of Mission: Ambassador Purmanund JHUGROO (since 7 July 2021)
• Chancery: 1709 N Street NW, Washington, DC 20036
• Telephone: [1] (202) 244-1491
• FAX: [1] (202) 966-0983
• Email: mauritius.embassy@verizon.net
• Website: https://mauritius-washington.govmu.org/Pages/index.aspx

6 facts — expand for details.

Geographic Location

Indian Ocean

Geographic Coordinates

20 17 S, 57 33 E

Total Area

788 Square Miles 2,040 Square Kilometers

Land Area

784 Square Miles 2,030 Square Kilometers

Water Area

4 Square Miles 10 Square Kilometers

Coastline

110 Miles 177 Kilometers

6 facts — expand for details.

Terrain

small coastal plain rising to discontinuous mountains encircling central plateau

Highest Point

828 Meters

Highest Point Location

Mont Piton 828 m

Lowest Point Location

Indian Ocean 0 m

Natural Resources

arable land, fish

Irrigated Land

82 Square Miles 212 Square Kilometers

Time Zone

UTC+4 (9 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

4 facts — expand for details.

Climate

Mauritius has a maritime climate with slight differences between tropical summer and subtropical winter.

Humidity is high, and annual rainfall along the central plateau's western slopes totals nearly 200 inches.

In Floreal the winter low can drop to 50°F with high winds and rain, making it seem much colder.

The summer daytime high is in the 80s with nighttime temperatures about 10°F cooler.

Temperatures in Port Louis and at the beach are about 10°F higher than elsewhere on the island.

Rainy and dry seasons are not well defined, and vegetation remains green all year.

Cyclones threaten the island between November and April.

Terrain

small coastal plain rising to discontinuous mountains encircling central plateau

Location

Southern Africa, island in the Indian Ocean, east of Madagascar

Total Area

788 Square Miles 2,040 Square Kilometers

Environment - Current Issues

water pollution, degradation of coral reefs

Environment - International Agreements

party to: Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

4 facts — expand for details.

Exports

$2,041,000,000 (USD)

Imports

$3,935,000,000 (USD)

Major Exports

clothing and textiles, sugar, cut flowers, molasses

Major Imports

manufactured goods, capital equipment, foodstuffs, petroleum products, chemicals

Top Export Partners

UK 30.5%, France 20.3%, US 20.2%, Madagascar 4%

Top Import Partners

South Africa 12.6%, France 11%, China 8.5%, India 7.3%, Australia 4%

Export Partners

UK 30.5%, France 20.3%, US 20.2%, Madagascar 4%

Import Partners

South Africa 12.6%, France 11%, China 8.5%, India 7.3%, Australia 4%

Country Description

The Republic of Mauritius is a small island nation consisting of four inhabited and several other islands in the southwestern Indian Ocean.

Mauritius has a stable government and a diverse economy.

Its 2012 per capita GDP of US $8,850 is one of the highest in Africa.

Facilities for tourism are well-developed.

Although English is the administrative language, Creole and French are the languages used in daily life.

English may not be understood outside of main towns and tourist areas.

The capital city is Port Louis.

Safety & Security

U.S. citizens should avoid crowds and street demonstrations, and maintain a low profile.

Women should avoid walking alone, particularly on public beaches and at night.

There have been occasional reports of robberies, sexual assault, and harassment of foreign travelers.

2 facts — expand for details.

Crime

Violent and petty crime is increasingly common in tourist areas throughout Mauritius.

Visitors should keep track of their belongings at all times due to thepotential for pick-pocketing and purse-snatching, especially in crowded areas.Residential break-ins are reported frequently on the island.

It is unwise to walk alone at night outside the immediate grounds of hotels.

Foreigners should exercise caution on beaches and poorly-lit or deserted areas at night.

Don’t buy counterfeit and pirated goods, even if they are widely available.

Bootlegs are illegal in the United States, and their purchase may also violate local laws in Mauritius.

Criminal Penalties

While you are traveling in Mauritius, you are subject to its laws even if you are a U.S. citizen.

Foreign laws and legal systems can be vastly different than our own.

These criminal penalties will vary from country to country.

Certain actions might be legal in the country you visit, but still illegal in the United States.

Engaging in sexual conduct with children or using or disseminating child pornography in a foreign country is a crime prosecutable in the United States.

Driving under the influence of alcohol in Mauritius could land you immediately in jail.

If you break local laws in Mauritius, your U.S. passport won’t help you avoid arrest or prosecution.

It’s very important to know what’s legal and what’s not wherever you go.

Persons violating Mauritian laws, even unknowingly, may be expelled, arrested, or imprisoned.

Penalties for possessing, using, or trafficking of illegal drugs are severe.

Convicted offenders can expect long jail sentences and heavy fines in Mauritius.

Arrest notifications in host country: While some countries will automatically notify the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate if a U.S. citizen is detained or arrested in a foreign country, that might not always be the case.

To ensure that the United States is aware of your circumstances, request that the police and prison officials notify the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate as soon as you are arrested or detained overseas.

2 facts — expand for details.

Medical Facilities

• phone: 116; 464-6116). Point aux Canonnier Medical Center
• tel: 263-1010, Private Clinic Fortis Darne
• tel: 118, and Private Clinic Apollo Bramwell
• tel: 132 also provide paid Ambulance Service.

Traffic Safety

While in Mauritius, you may encounter road conditions that differ significantly from those in the United States.

Driving is on the left side of the road.

Many roads are narrow and uneven with inadequate lighting, making night driving hazardous.

Speed limits are posted in kilometers per hour and all road and traffic signs are posted in English.

Drivers and all passengers are required to wear seat belts.

Drivers and passengers on motorcycles are required to wear helmets.

Babies and toddlers should be placed in child seats.

Many accidents occur due to excessive speed and violations of road regulations.

Drivers involved in an accident are required by law to remain at the scene until the police arrive.

However, if an angry crowd gathers and those involved in the accident feel threatened, police and judicial authorities have in the past not taken action against drivers who leave the scene if they have proceeded directly to a police station.

In cases of accidents involving two parties but which involve no injuries and where drivers are not under the influence of alcohol/drugs, drivers may fill out and sign an “Agreed Statement of Facts.” Police presence is not required for this action.

Each party should retain one copy of the statement to claim auto insurance reimbursement.

While there are organizations that provide emergency or roadside assistance, their resources and capabilities are limited; on occasion, they are unable to respond to non-life threatening situations.

Public transportation by bus is available between the main towns until 9:00 p.m. and in remote areas until 6:00 p.m.

Taxis are also available.

4 facts — expand for details.

Airports - total

5

Airports with Paved Runways

2

Roadways- total

1,335 Miles 2,149 Kilometers

Ports and Terminals

Port Louis

7 facts — expand for details.

Telephones

379,100

Cell Phones

936,000

Internet Users

340,000

Internet Country Code

.mu

Internet Hosts

36,653

Broadcast Media

• the government maintains control over TV broadcasting through the Mauritius Broadcasting Corporation (MBC), which operates 3 analog and 10 digital TV stations
• MBC is a shareholder in a local company that operates 2 pay-TV stations
• the state retains the largest radio broadcast network with multiple stations
• several private radio broadcasters have entered the market since 2001
• transmissions of at least 2 international broadcasters are available

Telephone System

• assessment: small system with good service
• domestic: monopoly over fixed-line services terminated in 2005; fixed-line teledensity roughly 30 per 100 persons; mobile-cellular services launched in 1989 with current teledensity roughly 100 per 100 persons
• international: country code - 230; landing point for the SAFE submarine cable that provides links to Asia and South Africa where it connects to the SAT-3/WASC submarine cable that provides further links to parts of East Africa, and Europe; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean); new microwave link to Reunion; HF radiotelephone links to several countries

Electricity Consumption- Kilowatt Hours (kWh)

2,158,000,000

Electricity Production- Kilowatt Hours (kWh)

2,321,000,000

Oil Consumption- Barrels Per Day (bbl/day)

24,710

Anthem History

The music of the National Anthem of Mauritius was written by Philippe Oh San (former band master of the Mauritius Police Force).The lyrics written by Jean Georges Prosper.But on official records,it has been stated that Mr Philippe Gentil wrote the music.

Anthem Lyrics English

Glory to thee, Motherland, O motherland of mine. Sweet is thy beauty, Sweet is thy fragrance, Around thee we gather As one people, As one nation, For peace, justice and liberty. Beloved country, may God bless thee ever and ever.