Mauritius Innovator Occupation Permit
The Innovator Occupation Permit is designed for technology, biotech, fintech and innovation founders building IP-led businesses from Mauritius. It offers a lower equity entry threshold than the standard Investor route in exchange for a meaningful R&D commitment.
Who it is for
The Innovator permit is intended for founders building genuinely innovative products - software platforms, deeptech, biotech, fintech, climate tech, advanced manufacturing. Lifestyle businesses and consulting practices generally do not qualify - those founders should use the standard Investor Occupation Permit instead.
Investment and R&D requirements
There is no fixed minimum equity investment, but the company's annual operating expenditure must include at least 20% spent on qualifying research and development activities in Mauritius. Qualifying R&D includes engineering salaries, prototyping, testing, clinical trials and IP filing.
- 20% of operating expenditure on qualifying R&D
- Innovation in technology, biotech, fintech, deeptech etc.
- 10 year residency for founder, spouse and children
- Pathway to permanent residency after 3 years
Why Mauritius for innovation
Mauritius offers a 15% flat corporate tax rate, partial exemption regimes that can reduce effective tax to 3% on certain qualifying income, an extensive double taxation treaty network covering Africa, India and Europe, and English-language common law jurisdiction. The Mauritius Research and Innovation Council also offers grant co-funding for qualifying R&D projects.