Moving to Mauritius from India — Indian Expat Guide 2026

Why India nationals choose Mauritius

Mauritius and India have one of the deepest relationships of any two countries — approximately 68% of Mauritius's population is of Indian heritage, Mauritius is one of the largest conduits for foreign direct investment into India, and the India-Mauritius Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement (DTAA) has long been a cornerstone of the bilateral relationship. For Indian nationals, Mauritius offers familiarity (Hindu temples, Indian food, Hindi media, familiar faces) alongside a dramatically different lifestyle and tax environment.

Which permit to use

Recommended route: Professional Occupation Permit (most Indian professionals employed by Mauritius companies), Investor Occupation Permit (Indian business owners), or Premium Visa (remote workers).

Indian IT and financial services professionals typically come on Professional Occupation Permits sponsored by Mauritius companies in the Ebène Cybercity. Indian entrepreneurs use the Investor OP. Those working remotely for Indian clients use the Premium Visa.

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Start your permit application before leaving India — the EDB processes most applications in 5–10 working days for a complete file. See the full Mauritius Residency Permits guide for eligibility details and required documents.

Tax residency and your home country obligations

India taxes residents on worldwide income. You break Indian tax residency by being present in India for fewer than 182 days in the relevant tax year (April 1 to March 31). The India-Mauritius DTAA has been significantly renegotiated since 2016 — the capital gains exemption that made Mauritius a major India investment conduit has been phased out, and capital gains from Indian shares are now taxable in India for Mauritius residents (under the amended Article 13). The DTAA still provides benefits for dividends, interest, and royalties. Get current advice as the treaty has evolved significantly.

Banking and currency

INR to MUR: approximately 1 INR = 0.54 MUR (mid-2026). RBI permits liberalised remittances under the Liberalised Remittance Scheme (LRS): up to USD 250,000 per financial year per individual. For larger transfers (company investments), RBI/FEMA compliance is required. Wise offers cost-effective INR/MUR conversion.

MCB and SBM are the main options. State Bank of Mauritius (SBM) has historical Indian connections and Hindi-speaking staff. NRI status: if you maintain an NRI status in India, certain Indian financial products (NRE/NRO accounts) are relevant for managing Indian-source income. Indian bank accounts (HDFC, ICICI, SBI) can be maintained as NRI accounts.

Flights and logistics

Direct flights from India to Mauritius: Air India from Mumbai and Delhi (approximately 5–6 hours), Air Mauritius from Mumbai. Also available via Dubai and Singapore from other Indian cities. Ticket prices: INR 25,000–60,000 return economy.

Driving and transport

Indian driving licences are valid in Mauritius for 12 months. Exchange at NTA. Mauritius drives on the left — the same as India. Indian drivers adapt very quickly to Mauritius roads.

Schools for children

No dedicated Indian curriculum school. IPS (Cambridge) and Le Bocage (Cambridge) suit Indian children well — Cambridge IGCSE is recognised by Indian universities and aligns with IIT/IIM preparation. Many Indian expat children do extremely well in Mauritius's schools given the emphasis on mathematics and science.

See the full Schools in Mauritius guide for fee tables, enrolment processes, and a complete school directory.

India expat community in Mauritius

The largest single community in Mauritius by heritage is Indo-Mauritian. Indian expats from India find cultural familiarity immediately — Hindu temples in every town, Indian restaurants, Bollywood films, and a large Hindi-speaking population. The Indian High Commission in Port Louis actively supports Indian nationals.

The India-Mauritius DTAA

The India-Mauritius DTAA was historically famous for allowing Mauritius-resident companies to invest in India without Indian capital gains tax — making Mauritius the largest source of FDI into India for many years. That specific benefit has been renegotiated:

Capital gains from Indian shares (post-April 2017): Now taxable in India regardless of where the beneficial owner is resident
Capital gains from Indian property: Taxable in India
Dividends from Indian companies: Withholding tax applies (typically 5–10% under the treaty)
Interest on Indian loans: Treaty reduces Indian withholding tax
Business profits: Taxable in India only if the Mauritius company has a Permanent Establishment (PE) in India

For individual Indian nationals (not companies), the main benefit remaining is lower withholding tax rates on Indian-source income and the avoidance of double taxation on employment income.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Indian nationals own property in Mauritius?

Yes — Indian nationals can purchase freehold property in EDB-approved schemes (PDS, Smart City) at the same thresholds as other foreign nationals. Purchasing at USD 375,000+ grants a Residence Permit. RBI approval may be required for the foreign exchange transfer from India — typically processed under the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA) provisions for immovable property abroad.

Is there an Indian community in Mauritius?

Mauritius is essentially an Indian Ocean extension of the Indian diaspora — approximately 68% of Mauritians are of Indian (predominantly Bihari and Tamil) heritage. Hindu temples, mosques, Indian food, and Hindi television are everywhere. Indian nationals from India tend to integrate easily and find deep cultural resonance, albeit in a distinctly Mauritian context.

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