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Gateway to Africa and India with extensive tax treaty network
Region
AFRICA
Corporate Tax
15%
Setup Time
1 weeks
Currency
MUR
Mauritius, an island nation in the Indian Ocean, has developed as a financial center with extensive treaty network for Africa and India. The country's company registration framework and regulatory environment support business setup for international structuring.
With a population of 1.3 million, Mauritius offers tropical island living with developed infrastructure. English is official, with French and Creole widely spoken. The climate is warm tropical with cyclone risk.
Healthcare is good with modern facilities. Safety is excellent with low crime. The cost of living is moderate.
The beaches, multicultural society, and quality of life attract both tourists and relocating professionals.
Corporate tax rate stands at 15%, with various exemptions available. Global Business Companies can achieve lower effective rates. Personal income tax is 15%. No capital gains tax applies generally.
The Mauritius rupee is managed against a currency basket. The financial services sector leverages treaty networks with India and African countries. Mauritius has positioned as Africa-focused investment platform.
Company registration through the Registrar of Companies is efficient. Global Business Companies (GBC) require Financial Services Commission licensing. Domestic companies serve local operations.
Company formation takes approximately 1-2 weeks for standard companies, longer for licensed GBCs. Substance requirements apply to benefit from treaties. Annual compliance includes audited accounts.
The Financial Services Commission has introduced licensing for virtual asset service providers. Mauritius has positioned itself for digital asset businesses seeking regulated African gateway status.
The Gambling Regulatory Authority issues gambling licenses. Online gambling licensing exists with established frameworks. The jurisdiction has attracted some international operators.
Treaty networks face scrutiny from partner countries requiring genuine substance. India has particularly focused on Mauritius treaty use. Geographic distance affects logistics for operational businesses.
Banking access is available through Mauritius and international banks. Professional services are developed for GBC operations.
Mauritius suits Africa-focused holding structures, investment platforms, and businesses meeting substance requirements for their business setup.
Local: Ltd
Local: GBC
Local: Foundation
Local: Trust
| Corporate Tax Rate | 15% |
| Personal Income Tax Rate | 15% |
| VAT / Sales Tax | 15% |
| Capital Gains Tax | 0% |
| Withholding Tax | 0% |
| Reduced Corporate Tax Available | Yes |
| Non-Resident Withholding Exempt | Yes |
| Tax Treaty Network | Yes |
| Banking Access | HIGH |
| Financial Privacy | HIGH |
| Currency Controls | NONE |
| Local Bank Account Required | No |
| Non-Resident Bank Account Allowed | Yes |
| Physical Presence for Banking | No |
| Banks Restrictive (High Risk) | No |
| AML Officer Required | Yes |
| MLRO Required | Yes |
| Compliance Officer Required | Yes |
| Data Protection Officer Required | No |
| Bookkeeping Frequency | Annual |
| Local Bookkeeping Required | Yes |
| Mandatory Audit | Yes |
| License Required | Yes |
| Local Director Required | Yes |
| Local AML Director Required | Yes |
| Local Legal Address Required | Yes |
| Local Physical Office Required | Yes |
| Required Share Capital | $2,000,000 |
| Capital Maintained in Account | Yes |
| Compliance Program Required | Yes |
| Travel Rule Compliance | FATF compliant |
| Business Plan Required | Comprehensive business plan required including technology stack, client onboarding procedures, IT/cybersecurity measures, and AML/CFT framework |
| Personnel Required | MLRO, Deputy MLRO, Compliance Officer, two resident directors |
| Insurance Required | No |
| Remote Incorporation Possible | No |
| 100% Foreign Ownership | Yes |
| Min. Shareholders | 1 |
| Min. Directors | 2 |
| Shareholder/Director Same Person | Yes |
| Registry Public | Yes |
| Registry Access | FSC maintains public register of licensees at https://www.fscmauritius.org |
| Renewal Period | Annual |
| Accounting Filing Required | Yes |
| Accounting Filing Frequency | Annual |
| Financial Statement Required | Yes |
| Financial Statement Frequency | Annual |
| Accounting Audit Mandatory | Yes |
| Compliance Audit Mandatory | Yes |
| Technical Audit Mandatory | No |
| Corporate Income Tax Applicable | Yes |
| Dividend Tax Applicable | No |
| Capital Gains Tax Applicable | No |
| Territorial Tax Regime | No |
| VAT Applicable | Yes |
| Regulators | Financial Services Commission (FSC) |
| Licensing Fee | $50,000 |
| Licensing Fee Details | Application fee varies by class. Class M (Broker-Dealer): MUR 2,000,000 minimum capital. Additional annual fees apply. Processing fees approximately MUR 25,000-50,000. |
| Permitted Business Models | Virtual Asset Broker-Dealer (Class M), Wallet Services (Class O), Custodian (Class R), Advisory (Class I), Marketplace/Exchange (Class S) |
| Permitted Activities | Crypto exchange, custody, wallet services, OTC trading, advisory services, token issuance |
| Cross-Border Service Allowed | Yes |
| Physical Inspection Required | No |
| Derivatives Allowed | No |
| RWA Tokenization Allowed | Yes |
| App Store Listing Allowed | Yes |
| Crypto Custody Allowed | Yes |
| License Required | Yes |
| Local Director Required | Yes |
| Local AML Director Required | Yes |
| Local Legal Address Required | Yes |
| Local Physical Office Required | Yes |
| Capital Maintained in Account | No |
| Compliance Program Required | Yes |
| Travel Rule Compliance | N/A |
| Business Plan Required | Detailed business plan including gaming rules, security measures, and responsible gambling policies |
| Personnel Required | Key management personnel subject to background checks |
| Insurance Required | No |
| Remote Incorporation Possible | No |
| 100% Foreign Ownership | Yes |
| Min. Shareholders | 1 |
| Min. Directors | 1 |
| Shareholder/Director Same Person | Yes |
| Registry Public | No |
| Registry Access | Gambling Regulatory Authority maintains licensee records |
| Renewal Period | Annual |
| Accounting Filing Required | Yes |
| Accounting Filing Frequency | Annual |
| Financial Statement Required | Yes |
| Financial Statement Frequency | Annual |
| Accounting Audit Mandatory | Yes |
| Compliance Audit Mandatory | Yes |
| Technical Audit Mandatory | Yes |
| Corporate Income Tax Applicable | Yes |
| Dividend Tax Applicable | No |
| Capital Gains Tax Applicable | No |
| Territorial Tax Regime | No |
| VAT Applicable | No |
| Regulators | Gambling Regulatory Authority (GRA) |
| Licensing Fee Details | Fees vary by license type (casino, bookmaker, lottery, interactive gambling). Annual license fees and gaming taxes apply based on gross gaming revenue. |
| Permitted Business Models | B2C land-based, B2B |
| Permitted Activities | Casino, horse racing, sports betting, lottery, limited payout machines, pool betting |
| Restricted Activities | Interactive gambling licenses available but no active online operators. Residents prohibited from online gambling. |
| Cross-Border Service Allowed | Yes |
| Physical Inspection Required | Yes |
| Player Fund Segregation | Yes |
| License Required | Yes |
| Local Director Required | Yes |
| Local AML Director Required | Yes |
| Local Legal Address Required | Yes |
| Local Physical Office Required | Yes |
| Required Share Capital | $500,000 |
| Capital Maintained in Account | Yes |
| Compliance Program Required | Yes |
| Travel Rule Compliance | FATF compliant |
| Business Plan Required | Comprehensive 3-year business plan with financial projections, risk management framework, and operational procedures |
| Personnel Required | CEO, MLRO, Deputy MLRO, Compliance Officer, minimum two resident directors for GBC |
| Insurance Required | Yes |
| Insurance Details | Professional indemnity insurance may be required depending on activity type |
| Remote Incorporation Possible | No |
| 100% Foreign Ownership | Yes |
| Min. Shareholders | 1 |
| Min. Directors | 2 |
| Shareholder/Director Same Person | Yes |
| Registry Public | Yes |
| Registry Access | FSC public register at https://www.fscmauritius.org/en/licensing/licensed-entities |
| Renewal Period | Annual |
| Accounting Filing Required | Yes |
| Accounting Filing Frequency | Annual |
| Financial Statement Required | Yes |
| Financial Statement Frequency | Annual |
| Accounting Audit Mandatory | Yes |
| Compliance Audit Mandatory | Yes |
| Technical Audit Mandatory | No |
| Corporate Income Tax Applicable | Yes |
| Dividend Tax Applicable | No |
| Capital Gains Tax Applicable | No |
| Territorial Tax Regime | No |
| VAT Applicable | Yes |
| Regulators | Financial Services Commission (FSC) for non-bank financial services; Bank of Mauritius (BoM) for banking |
| Licensing Fee | $25,000 |
| Licensing Fee Details | Payment Intermediary Service License: MUR 500,000 minimum capital (~USD 11,000). GBC license fees approximately MUR 128,160 first year. Annual renewal fees apply. |
| Permitted Business Models | Payment Service Provider, Investment Adviser, Fund Administration, Asset Management, Insurance |
| Permitted Activities | Payment services, remittances, investment advisory, fund management, corporate finance, treasury management |
| Restricted Activities | Banking requires separate BoM license |
| Cross-Border Service Allowed | Yes |
| Physical Inspection Required | Yes |