Mauritius is targeting 100 high-net-worth individuals per year under a new “golden visa” programme that requires a minimum US$1 million investment and is designed to boost foreign capital inflows and support key sectors including technology and renewable energy.
Prime Minister Navin Ramgoolam told lawmakers Tuesday that the scheme was introduced following rising interest from foreign investors seeking long-term relocation options for themselves and their families.
Under the programme, visa holders must invest at least US$1 million within 12 months of arrival in Mauritius.
The initiative is part of a broader strategy to position Mauritius as a global wealth and investment hub, leveraging its status as an established international financial centre and luxury relocation destination.
Authorities said the programme aims to channel foreign funds into productive sectors such as fintech, artificial intelligence, biotechnology and renewable energy.
More Read
Mauritius has increasingly sought to diversify its economy beyond tourism and offshore finance, positioning itself as a gateway for investment into Africa and Asia.
The government expects the scheme to generate steady inflows of capital while encouraging long-term residency rather than short-term financial inflows.
Ramgoolam said the programme was structured to maximise economic benefits by requiring investors to actively deploy funds across the local economy.
More Read
The scheme places Mauritius alongside countries such as the United States and several European states that have introduced or adjusted similar residency-by-investment programmes in recent years.
However, such programmes have faced growing scrutiny globally, with critics warning that they can contribute to inequality and create loopholes for illicit financial flows.
Several European countries have recently moved to restrict or phase out golden visa schemes amid concerns raised by law enforcement agencies over money laundering risks and weak oversight.
The Mauritian government said it has implemented a “robust, risk-based due diligence framework” to prevent abuse of the system.
Ramgoolam said authorities do not expect the programme to negatively impact local housing affordability, noting that initial arrivals would be directed toward hotels or designated rental properties intended for foreign investors.
Mauritius has long been considered one of Africa’s most stable and affluent economies, attracting expatriates and retirees drawn by its political stability, financial services sector and high-end coastal property market.
More Read
The island nation has also positioned itself as a regional hub for offshore banking and investment services, benefiting from double taxation treaties and strong links with India, Europe and Africa.
Economists say the success of the golden visa programme will depend on the country’s ability to maintain regulatory credibility while offering competitive investment opportunities in a tightening global migration market for wealthy individuals.
If successful, the initiative could strengthen Mauritius’ role as a niche destination for global capital and high-net-worth migration in the Indian Ocean region.
