If you could get paid to move to Mauritius, wouldn’t you jump at the chance?? I know I would!
Beautiful, tropical country with breathtaking beaches! If this were to be my home and the government was paying me to come there?
Say no more; I’m packing my bags already!
Mauritius is a tiny island country in the Indian Ocean, located east of Madagascar (sings: I like to move it, move it!).
With a population of just over 1 million, the Mauritius government is trying to get more people to move there and boost their economy.
But before you start thinking you can just pack your beach gear, book your flight tickets, and turn up in Mauritius demanding some free cash from the immigration officers…
Nah, guys, it ain’t that easy.
You’ve got to do some planning first. Read on to find out what’s the deal about getting paid to move to Mauritius.
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Maybe you’re struggling to pay rent or want to make some extra cash to buy a gift for your loved ones. I know how difficult it is when the funds are tight.
How Do You Get Paid To Move To Mauritius?
So, how do you get paid to move to Mauritius?
Mauritius is trying to encourage entrepreneurs and startups to move to Mauritius to increase innovation, research, and development.
So what do you do?
You will need to present your idea to the Economic Development Board. Your project will need to have at least a 20% research and development component.
If approved, you will be granted an ‘Innovator Occupation Permit’, and you can start your business here.
The main draw that you were looking for would be 20,000 Mauritian rupees! (or 432 USD).
432 USD might not seem like such a big deal, but here in Mauritius, where expenses are lower, this might be enough to cover all your startup costs.
This permit will be valid for 10 years and can also be renewed.
So what are you waiting for?
If you’ve got a great idea for a startup that involves research and development, start your application today and look forward to living by the beach in beautiful Mauritius!
If you have questions about ‘Is Mauritius a good place to live?’, ‘Pros and Cons of Living in Mauritius’, or ‘Is Mauritius a Safe Place to Live?’, read on as I explain it all.
Weather In Mauritius
Mauritius is in the southern hemisphere. Summers last from December to March, and winter lasts from June to August.
A bit like Australia, which celebrates Christmas in summer (huh).
During summers, temperatures can range from a low of 22°C to highs of 31°C.
In winter, temperatures range from 15 to 26°C.
The southern and eastern coasts get trade winds, making them slightly cooler than the rest of the island.
The rainy season occurs during summer. On rainy, hot days, it is lovely to curl up in a hammock (a sheltered one, of course) with a book.
All in all, it sounds like fantastic island weather to me!
Cost Of Living In Mauritius
If you are moving to Mauritius from the UK or the US, rest assured that the cost of living is much less than what you might be used to.
The cost of living in Mauritius is, on average 46% lower than the US, and 50% lower than the UK!!!
The rent for an average-sized 2-4 bedroom house would cost you about USD 250 – USD 500 a month. While a villa with a garden and a swimming pool would only set you back about USD 900 to USD 1800 a month!! CRAZY!
This website does a great job of breaking down the average cost of different things in Mauritius, such as Accommodation, Food and Groceries, Transportation, Education, and Utilities.
I nearly fainted when I saw that the average monthly electricity bill in Mauritius for a typical household is only USD 15 to USD 20!!
Languages Spoken In Mauritius
Mauritian Creole is the most commonly spoken language in Mauritius, spoken by around 90% of the population.
French would be a close second.
Although English is one of Mauritius’s official languages, a large percentage of the population does not speak it at all!
You can hear other languages in Mauritius: Bhojpuri, Tamil, Hindi, and Mandarin.
So if you’re planning on moving to Mauritius, brush up on your French s’il vous plait!
Best Places To Live In Mauritius
Mauritius is divided into different areas, each with a different vibe.
The North
The north of Mauritius is the most developed, with the most urban infrastructure, including shopping malls, restaurants, schools, and hospitals.
If you’re moving to Mauritius with young kids, this is one of the top choices for young families due to its proximity to good international schools.
Grand Baie, and Pereybere are some popular towns in the North.
The South
If you love being away from the hustle and bustle and being immersed in nature, the South would be great for you.
Some of the best beaches are found in the South, and so are the mountains. Talk about everything I love about nature!
However, if you have kids, I wouldn’t recommend staying here since there aren’t many school options.
Mahebourg in the South will be a great option if nature is what you’re looking for.
The West
The West is very popular with expats in Mauritius. This is also the most touristy place with amazing beaches that are great all year round.
A lot of urban infrastructure is being built to meet the demands of tourism, so you can expect to find shopping malls and restaurants.
There are international schools here as well, which is why you see a lot of expats living here.
Most of the accommodations along the west coast are within walking distance of the beach, and have amazing ocean views.
Sounds great, doesn’t it?
Tamarin and Flic en Flac are popular towns in the west.
The East
The East is much less crowded than the North or the West. Part of the reason may be the strong winds that are always present, even during summer.
Another reason could be the lack of schools, which keeps families away. However, the international schools in the north are only a 30-minute drive away, so it isn’t that bad.
If you would like to live in a quieter place but with access to the north and west for schools and other amenities, the East could be for you.
Poste Lafayette has some amazing villas with private beach access.
Having said all that, Mauritius is a tiny island with only an area of 2040 km2.
It takes about 1 hour 10 minutes to drive from the east to the west of the island and 1 hour 20 minutes from the north to the south.
It would not make a huge difference where you live if you don’t mind making short drives every day.
Healthcare In Mauritius
Public healthcare is free for citizens and residents. However, you will still have to pay for public hospitals if you are an expat.
Darne Clinic or C-Care Welkin (previously known as Apollo Bramwell Hospital) are two private hospitals preferred by the expat population.
Private healthcare has advanced facilities, which makes it very expensive. So remember to buy good healthcare insurance before you move here!
Education In Mauritius
Mauritians pride themselves on providing their children with a good education. Education from primary school through university is free for citizens and permanent residents (WOWW!!).
There are plenty of international schools (not free) that are popular with many expats. These are mostly found in the north and west of the island.
Other Ways You Can Move To Mauritius
If you would like to move to Mauritius but don’t fancy starting an R&D startup, here are other ways to do so.
1. Mauritius Premium Visa
Are you a digital nomad?
Do you have family living and working in Mauritius, and they’re making you really envious of their lif on this beautiful island. And you want to come and experience some Mauritius living?
Apply for the Mauritius Premium Visa, you guys!
This is a really smart initiative by the Mauritian government to allow foreign nationals to stay in Mauritius for extended periods of time (and contribute to their economy!).
How long, you ask? More than 6 months and up to a year. But they can be renewed.
You will need to show proof of travel and health insurance and that you have enough finances to support you during this period.
This visa comes with a few limitations, such as:
- You can’t work in the Mauritius labor market,
- Your main source of income should be from outside Mauritius.
If you are working remotely, this visa will be a perfect fit for you!
Note: You must book your flight tickets before applying for the premium visa. There is no processing fee for this. (If it’s free, it’s for me!!!).
2. Retired Non-Citizen + 50 years
Are you above 50 years old and would like to retire somewhere else because it’s just too expensive to retire back home?
Move to Mauritius!
If you can show that you have a minimum of USD 18,000 or that you will have a guaranteed monthly income of USD 1500, you can apply to retire in Mauritius.
The Retired Non Citizen + 50 years visa allows you to get a 10-year Residence permit to live in Mauritius. You are eligible to renew it once the 10 years are up.
It would be wonderful to retire on a beautiful island and live that slow life when you’re older. You deserve it!
3. Residency By Investment
If you invest a minimum of USD 50,000 in a business in Mauritius, you are eligible to get a 10-year residence permit.
Alternatively, if you are a self-employed person, and you invest USD 35,000 into your business (that you want to start in Mauritius), you can also get a 10-year residence permit.
4. Residency By Property Acquisition
If you purchase a property in Mauritius under one of the government schemes, and it costs a minimum of USD 375,000, you are eligible for a residence permit for as long you own the property.
Disadvantages Of Living In Mauritius
Having said all those wonderful things about living in Mauritius, what are the disadvantages of living in Mauritius?
There are definitely disadvantages, just as there would be anywhere in the world. Some of these disadvantages are:
1. Transportation
Public transportation isn’t as good as it could be. Buses tend to be old and packed.
There are no train lines. And no Uber. Or anything like Uber.
There are taxis, however, and car rental isn’t that expensive.
Buying a car, on the other hand, can be very expensive due to import taxes.
2. Cleanliness
Littering is a huge problem. Food packets, cigarette buds, and plastic bags can be found lying along the streets, which can be a huge eyesore.
Stray dogs are everywhere! The government is trying to neuter stray dogs in a bid to control their population. However, this might take a few years to see some effects.
FAQs On Get Paid To Move To Mauritius
Can I Bring My Family With Me?
If you are thinking of applying for a residence permit in Mauritius, and you’re wondering if you can bring your family with you. The answer is yes, you can.
Dependents of the visa holder can apply for a residence permit and stay in Mauritius for as long as the main visa holder.
Dependents include spouses, parents, and children.
Is Mauritius Safe To Live In?
Mauritius is considered a pretty safe place to live. However, petty crime, such as bag snatching and pickpocketing, does occur in crowded places in popular tourist areas.
Violent crime, on the other hand, is quite rare.
Can I Buy Property In Mauritius?
All non-citizens residing in Mauritius are eligible to buy property in Mauritius under one of these government schemes:
- Integrated Resort Scheme (IRS)
- Real Estate Scheme (RES)
- Property Development Scheme (PDS) and
- Smart City Scheme (SCS).
Foreign nationals who are not residing in Mauritius can also buy property under any of the government schemes, which then makes them eligible for residency.
Do I Need To Be In Mauritius To Start My Application Process?
You do not need to be in Mauritius to start your application process. All applications are done online.
Well, there you go, guys. Everything you need to know about getting paid to move to Mauritius.
What are you waiting for? Get that R&D startup plan ready, and move to Mauritius!
If you want to know more about getting paid to move somewhere else, look at my other articles below.
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