Most foreigners become Mauritian citizens through naturalization, which means living in the country long enough to qualify. That takes two to six years depending on your circumstances, though marriage, descent, or Commonwealth citizenship can offer faster or alternative routes.
There is no citizenship by investment program, despite what you may have read about a “Mauritius golden visa.” A residency-by-investment route exists that can shorten the naturalization period, but it does not buy citizenship outright.
One detail matters before you start: people who naturalize usually have to give up their existing citizenships, so Mauritius is a poor fit if you want a second passport while keeping your current one. If you plan to live there full time, citizenship brings a passport with strong visa-free access and the right to own property and invest without the limits that apply to foreigners.
How to get Mauritius citizenship
If you were born in Mauritius to at least one Mauritian parent, you are a citizen automatically. For everyone else, there are four ways to become a Mauritian citizen: registration, naturalization, adoption, and incorporation of territory.
Three routes lead to citizenship by registration: descent, marriage, and Commonwealth citizenship.
Citizenship by descent
If at least one of your parents is Mauritian by birth, you can be granted Mauritian citizenship by descent. For this option, you can apply regardless of where you were born.
A person born outside Mauritius (to Mauritian born citizen/s) is a citizen of Mauritius under section 20(3) and 23 of the Constitution.
Citizenship by marriage
You are eligible for citizenship by marriage if you are married to a Mauritian and have lived together in Mauritius for four years or more.
Mauritius does not currently recognize same-sex marriages, so the spousal route is not open to same-sex couples.
Citizenship as a Commonwealth citizen
A citizen of any Commonwealth country can apply for Mauritian nationality if you:
- Have lived in Mauritius for at least five years
- Are over 18
- Have an adequate knowledge of English or French
- Can show you understand the responsibilities of citizenship
Naturalization after residency
Anyone who has legally lived in Mauritius for a qualifying period can apply to naturalize. Time spent on a visa, work permit, residence permit, or permanent resident status all counts toward it.
For everything on visas, work permits, residence permits, and routes to permanent residency, see our detailed article.
To naturalize, you must:
- Have lived in Mauritius continuously for the twelve months before you apply
- Before those twelve months, have lived in Mauritius for five of the previous seven years. If you have invested more than USD 500,000 under an Investor Occupation Permit, this drops to two years.
- Pass a good character check, meaning no serious criminal record
- Have an adequate knowledge of English or French
- Intend to keep living in Mauritius
On adoption
A child legally adopted by a Mauritian citizen can acquire Mauritian citizenship. The exact conditions depend on where and how the adoption took place, so confirm the current requirements with the Passport and Immigration Office or a qualified immigration lawyer before relying on this route.
Incorporation of territory
This is a rare edge case rather than a practical route. If Mauritius takes over a new territory, that territory becomes part of the country, and people living there can become citizens.
How long does it take to get Mauritius citizenship?
Assuming you meet the requirements, here is the minimum qualifying time for each route. These are residency periods, not processing times, so allow extra for the application itself.
No residency period
- Birth (automatic)
- Descent
- Adoption
Two years
- Investors who have invested more than USD 500,000 under an Investor Occupation Permit
Four years
- Spouse of a Mauritian citizen
Five years
- Commonwealth citizens applying by registration
Six years
- Everyone else naturalizing after residency
Mauritius citizenship by investment / Golden visa
There is no direct citizenship by investment program in Mauritius. You cannot pay a fee and receive a passport in return, whatever the “investment citizenship” sites online suggest.
The government considered it once. In its 2018/19 budget it proposed offering citizenship for a USD 1 million non-refundable contribution to the Mauritius Sovereign Fund. The plan drew strong public opposition and was dropped before it became law. It has never been a route to citizenship.
In 2026 the government announced a Mauritius Golden Visa. It grants residence, not citizenship. The program is built around a minimum investment of USD 1 million for a renewable permit of up to two years, and the details were still being finalized, so check the current rules before you count on it.
What investment can do is shorten the normal naturalization route. If you hold an Investor Occupation Permit and have invested more than the equivalent of USD 500,000, your qualifying period drops to two years, rather than the five to seven years naturalization usually requires. You become a resident first, then naturalize.
For more investment visa options, see our detailed article.
Mauritius nationality benefits
Mauritian citizenship brings practical advantages: a strong passport, the ability to pass citizenship to your children, access to property and investment without the limits placed on foreigners, and a competitive tax system.
You can pass your Mauritius nationality to your children
Mauritian nationality law draws on two principles: jus soli (citizenship by place of birth) and jus sanguinis (citizenship by descent).
Children born in Mauritius to a Mauritian parent are citizens. Children born anywhere else to a Mauritian parent can apply for citizenship by descent. So most people with a Mauritian parent can claim citizenship regardless of where they were born, which means you can usually pass your nationality on to your children.
Mauritius allows dual citizenship in some cases
Whether you can hold dual citizenship depends on how you became Mauritian.
If you are a citizen by birth or descent, you can hold other nationalities alongside your Mauritian one, unless your other country forbids it. Indian citizens, for example, must give up their Indian nationality, because India does not allow dual citizenship.
If you became a citizen by naturalization, you have to renounce your existing nationalities when you naturalize. That makes Mauritius a poor fit if your goal is a second passport you can hold on top of your current one.
Mauritius is a stable, well-connected country
Mauritius is a stable democracy with established institutions and a record of constructive engagement abroad. It is a member of the Southern African Development Community (SADC), the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), and the African Union (AU).
A competitive tax system
Mauritius operates a territorial tax system, and as a citizen you can register as a tax resident to access its tax regime and network of treaties. You will normally need to spend at least six months a year in the country to qualify as a tax resident. Tax treatment depends heavily on your own circumstances and your home country’s rules, so get advice from a qualified tax professional before you rely on any of it.
Property and business investment
As a citizen you can invest in Mauritian property and businesses without the restrictions that apply to non-citizens, and access to local financial services is generally simpler.
Benefits of a Mauritius passport
Visa-free travel on a Mauritius passport
On the 2026 Henley Passport Index, the Mauritius passport gives visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 147 countries and territories, one of the strongest rankings in Africa. That access includes:
- The Schengen Area of Europe
- The United Kingdom
- China
- Japan
- Turkey
- Mexico
- Thailand
- Russia
How to get a Mauritius passportTo apply for a Mauritius passport, you must already be a Mauritian citizen, whether by birth, descent, adoption, registration, or naturalization.
You complete the application form, supply the required documents, and attend an appointment with the Passport and Immigration Office. Each applicant needs two standard passport photos.
The application fees are:
- Adult: MUR 700
- Minor (under 16): MUR 400
- Senior (55 and over): MUR 400
- Person with a disability: MUR 400
The US dollar equivalent depends on the exchange rate at the time, so check a current converter rather than relying on a fixed figure.
Mauritius nationality law
Mauritius gained independence from Britain in March 1968, and several foundational laws followed.
Citizenship is governed by the Mauritius Citizenship Act of 1968, which sets out the rights, responsibilities, and routes to nationality, alongside articles 20 to 25 of the Constitution.
Nationality applications are assessed by the Prime Minister’s Office rather than the immigration department.
Working out your route
For most people, Mauritian citizenship runs through residency and then naturalization, so the first question is which residence route fits your situation and how long it will take. Requirements, timelines, and tax treatment vary from person to person, and the rules change, so the practical next step is to get advice from a qualified immigration lawyer before you commit to a plan.
Get Expert Global Immigration Advice
You’ve seen the options. The next step is matching one to your situation: your income, your family, and your timeline. A short, no-obligation consultation with an immigration expert can tell you which countries you qualify for and what each application involves.
iam the senoir citizen I want to settle in mauritius
Mauritius has excellent options for visas and residence permits, including a retirement visa (see the link for details). We suggest booking an appointment with our excellent Mauritius Immigration partner to explore your options and to get your application underway.
Mauritius passport holders do not have visa free access to the USA. Please correct this misinformation.
Amended. Sorry for our error in this information and thank you for pointing it out.
Hi, my Ex-husband is a citizen of Mauritius and my daughter is 10 years old and she lives with me in different country she have Mauritius passport.Am I able to apply to be a citizen in Mauritius /do I qualify ??I only have been there 2-3 times for short periods.
Hi Linda. Unfortunately there isn’t a clear path for you. You need to be married to a Mauritian citizen and living in the country for four years for Citizenship by Marriage. And, Mauritius doesn’t have a parent of citizen pathway. All the best, Alastair
I have had a DNA test that shows my father was 100% Mauritian would I need to track him down to stand any chance of gaining a second citizenship in Mauritius. I have a British citizenship.
Hi Wayne. If either of your parents has Mauritian nationality, you are eligible for citizenship. To get your citizenship, you’ll need to show documentation proving your claim. Unfortunately, the DNA test is not admissible. However, if you know your father’s name, date-of-birth, and place of birth you may be able to get a copy of his birth certificate without having to contact him.
Hello,
I’ve a British citizenship, is it possible to apply for a Mauritius nationality?
Thank you
Hi Kossa. Yes, UK citizens can apply for Mauritius citizenship if they meet one of the standards. They also have accelerated naturalization as a Commonwealth citize. All the best, Alastair
Mauritius passport does not offer visa-free access to Canada.
many thnaks, we have updated the information with this change.
Good evening, I would like to resume my postgraduate studies (Master and doctorate degree) in Mauritius. I work as a teacher. I am originally Egyptian. I work in Abu Dhabi, capital of the UAE. If I complete the required years with student visa, will I be eligible to get a Mauritius passport? Thanks a lot and best regards.
Yes, the Mauritius student visa does count towards the naturalization qualification time.
I’m a US citizen, currently living in USA. But I want to get dual citizenship in Mauritius. What route should I take first?
HI. You’ll need to find a qualifying path to citizenship. If you don’t have a family link then citizenship by naturalization is your best pathway.
Am a Nigerian how do apply marritsous passport
I want to move to Mauritius from Nigeria, can I get a high paying job??? I have 2 years experience in the banking sector
Hi my mum is Mauritian by birth in 1947 but married a French man and immigrated to France in 1970. She now has a French passport. I want to have a Mauritian passport (I currently have a French passport as I was born there but we have lived in the UK since 1975). As my mum was born and bred in Mauritius can I apply for my Mauritian passport through descent, would I need my mum’s birth certificate to prove she was born in Mauritius?
Hi Sabrina. It will depend on how your mother became Mauritian citizenship and if she renounced her citizenship. If she was Mauritian by birth and didn’t give up here citizenship, you should be able to apply for Mauritian citizenship, and from anywhere in the world. A Mauritian immigration lawyer will be able to assist with the exact requirements and with the application.
How do I get a working permit Visa? I stays in West Africa.. Nigeria precisely.
Please see our article on Mauritius work permits.
Hello, I would like to follow the pathway of the Premium Visa for digital nomads to live in Mauritius and after 3 years apply for PR. As a Nigerian, if I do get to the point of applying for citizenship, do I have to denounce my Nigerian citizenship.
Yes, if you take Mauritius citizenship by naturalisation you would need to renounce your existing citizenship. See here for Mauritius dual citizenship guidence.
Hi,
Thanks for this information
My question is, I have lived in Mauritius for 6 years now with a 10 months break in between but as a student. If I want to pursue permanent residence in Mauritius moving from a Student Permit, is it possible?
Hi Vivian. Unfortunately, the Mauritius student visa is not a pathway to permanent residency. Our Mauritius immigration partners will be able to give you some idea of the best pathway for you. You can book a consultation here.
Hi my father and all grandparents were born in Mauritius my father passed away but we have all his documents. I would like to apply for my Mauritian passport and move to Mauritius. Please can you advise me on the best way to start this process I am living in south Africa. Thank you. Also can my children apply for a Mauritian passport the same time as I do?
Hi Corrine. As your father was born in Mauritius, you are a Mauritius citizen. As you are a Mauritian citizen by descent, not birth, your children may not be eligible for citizenship directly.
Hi my grandparents were born in Mauritius, but my father in South Africa. Will I qualify for citizenship? Thànk you
Hi Norma. If your father was born in South Africa he is a Mauritian citizen by descent and so you do not automatically qualify for Mauritius citizenship. A consultation with our Mauritius immigration partner will help to explore your best options for Mauritius citizenship.
Can a US citizen gain and hold dual citizenship in Mauritius through naturalization?
A US citizen can earn Maurtius citizenship by Naturalization. However, Mauritius does not allow dual citizenship for those who naturalise so you’d need to renounce your American citizenship.
thanks for this really useful information. I have a small question, people with residence permit due to marrying a mauritian- can they apply for a shengen visa? and are they eligible to the same places as a mauritian passport would allow?
not sure if that makes sense:) please let me know if you have any information 🙂
thanks again and i understand if my question isnt relevant
heike
Hi Hieke. Although you are resident in Mauritius, your SCHENGEN status depends on your current nationality and passport. If you take Mauritius citizenship, you can then travel under Mauritian nationality. Regards, Alastair
Hello
I am a South African and i currently live in South Africa. However my grandfather was born in Mauritius and my Dad was born in South Africa. Would this help to apply to live in Mauritius and to get a Mauritian passport. I would like this to happen for my family. I know there is a Pierre Edmond Pulvenis that is related to me but i think he has since passed away. He was an author. Is there any way i could find out if he has passed away and if had any property etc… I look forward to hearing from you soonest. Kind regards
Rene van der Westhuizen ( Pulvenis)
Hi Rene. I’ve emailed you some information regarding locating your relative, as it is just for your information.
On the citizenship: Generally, it is only the first generation of Mauritian-born parents ( who have not renounced their citizenship in Mauritius) who will be eligible to apply for citizenship in Mauritius. Therefore, in this case, you will not be eligible to apply for citizenship in Mauritius even though your father was born in South Africa and might have been granted Mauritian citizenship in Mauritius.
There are still many options for South Africans to live and work in Mauritius and there are pathways to Mauritius citizenship and a passport.
Hi
My mum was born in Mauritius but moved to England as a teenager. I was born in England. My mum became a British citizen but I want to apply for a Mauritian passport as a descendant. Can I do that or does my mum need to reapply for her Mauritian passport first? Side note, my Nan still has her Mauritian passport.
Hi Daniel. You don’t need a passport for proof of citizenship. If your mother was born in Mauritius and has her birth certificate, that should be proof of her citizenship. All the best, Alastair
My is Hassan I am from Nigeria , I will like to relocate to Mauritius to gain a working and residential permit, pls how do I apply and what are the procedures to marry a maririus woman because I will like to start a family in Mauritius thank u
Hi Hassan. Please see our Mauritius visa and residency guide for information on Mauritius work and residency permits. There is also a section on Family visas. All the best, Alastair
I am a business man . I settled with family Mauritius . Guide me .
Hi Argha. If you are living in Mauritius you have several pathways to citizenship. All the best, Alastair
My niece would like to apply for a Mauritian passport. Her father was born in the UK , of Mauritian parents, but has not taken out a Mauritian passport. Can she apply for a Mauritian passport through her grandmother?
Hi Steve. YOu can only apply for Mauritian citizenship by descent through a parent, and if you are still a minor. So, unfortunately, your niece will not qualify. She’ll need to explore other pathways to citizenship. As a commonwealth citizen, she will have accelerated citizenship by naturalization. All the best, Alastair
Hi there!
My father was born in Mauritius but moved to South Africa where he gained this South African citizenship through naturalization. He then went and got his Mauritian citizenship back as he plans on retiring there. I would like to know if I qualify for my citizenship by descent from my father. I am currently 26 – not a minor – so will that be an issue?
Thank you very much.
You can only apply for registration via descent as a minor, sorry!
hello am a Zambian citizen how can I apply for a job as a preschool teacher
I have a diploma, but I have always wanted to work in Mauritius.
what are the requirements please help.
Good day, My father was born in Mauritius and many years later moved to South Africa, citizen changed to a south African. I was born in south Africa. He is deceased , I am now 41 years old, would I be eligible still for a passport from decent?
Hi Chantal. Unfortunately, you can only apply for citizenship by descent as a minor – so before your 18th birthday. This means you won’t be able to get Mauritius citizenship by descent through your father. There are several other pathways to Mauritius residency and citizenship. Our Mauritius partner will be happy to help you explore your best options. All the best, Alastair
I want to move to Mauritius from Nigeria, how’s the job market like? I have 2 year experience in banking
Hi David
Like many countries with a high reliance on tourism, Mauritius has been impacted by COVD-19. However, banking, mining, and agriculture still continue to hire qualified workers. You can checkout job sites like https://www.myjob.mu/ to try to find work in Mauritius. Please see our Mauritius Visa and Work permit guide for more information. Regard, Alastair
Hey guys and girls, quick question regarding getting the passport. I am in South Africa and I have my Mauritian ID already but when apply for my Mauritian passport I just want to know if I need to get my criminal record when applying (my record is clean but I don’t want to wait for it if I don’t have to)
Kind Regards
Matthew
HI Matthew. Each citizenship pathway has its own application process. All the best, Alastair
I am Nigeria but a student in Mauritius but I just put to bed in Mauritius .can I and my family apply for citizenship
Hi. Nigeria is part of the Commonwealth, and so you’ll qualify for Mauritius citizenship in five years. Your time in Mauritius on a student visa will count towards your qualification. Regards, Alastair
We’re you able to get citizenship for your child?
I am en Italian expat living in Mauritius as Self Employed since 2012. I intend to apply for citizenship. I have two adult sons living in the UK. If I get citizenship and buy a house on the local market, will my British sons be able to inherit it? and in that case what can they do with it? rent it out? sell it?
Hi Sil. I can’t give you specific investment advice, but you can discuss the purchase and inheritance of property as well as the citizenship application with our excellent Mauritius partner. All the best, Alastair
Hi there
I am wanting to move to Mauritius.
My mom was born there and i was born here in South Africa. What paperwork do i need to use to apply for citizenship or naturalisation.
I have most paperwork but not sure what who ot where to go to do this.
I am thinking getting that as then i automatically would get a passport.
Help
Hi I have managed to trace my ancestry back as far as my Great Great Grandad who was born in Mauritius ( I have his birth certificate ) and came to the UK. I am a UK resident but would like to explore the prospect of having dual nationality. Is this possible based on my ancestry paper trail and if so who should I contact
Hi Ian. Unfortunately, one of your parents needs to be a Mauritian citizen for you to claim citizenship by descent. As a UK citizen, you do have accelerated naturalization if you are still interested in Mauritian citizenship. If you are looking for an additional passport in general, please see our article The Easiest Countries to get Citizenship. All the best, Alastair
Hi am 22yrs From Nigeria ,. I was adopted by my Mauritius parents, is it possible for me to get citizenship by adoption?
Hi Lawson. If your adopted parents have Mauritian citizenship you should be eligible to apply. Our partners will be able to assist with next steps. All the best, Alastair
Hi,
Stumbled across this article when looking for info on 2nd gen descent(which I understand is not applicable). I do note however that its mentioned in this article that you must apply when child is a minor, which I believe to be inaccurate. Im a mauritian descendant (mother born in mauritius, myself in England to English father) and I obtained my National ID card (citizenship) in Mauritius in 2019. Was a bit of a long back and forth process between goverment office and prime minster office. My mother was present aswell and was able to show all her documentation with mine and was all sorted within the 2 weeks holiday.
Mauritian govt website states:
“BY DESCENT
A person born outside Mauritius is a citizen of Mauritius under section 20(3) and 23 of the Constitution if either of his parents is a citizen of Mauritius by birth.”
Couldn’t see anything about having to be a minor. Hope this helps anyone else browsing.
Thanks for the update and information, much appreciated from a new Mauritian citizen!
I’m married in Mauritius for 11 years now but have been in and out coz of my husband work. I want to become a Mauritian citizen?
Hi Juliet. The requirement for Mauritius citizenship by marriage is to live in Mauritius with your spouse for 4 years. All the best, Alastair
If For example I am Brazilian, if I apply to get Mauritius passport would I lose my nationality or my Brazilian passport?
Hi Elana – when you took up Mauritian citizenship by naturalization you’d need to give up your Brazilian citizenship (in most cases). Regards, Alastair
Hi,
I was born in Northern Rhodesia in 1963 with a ID and stayed there for a few months after my birth. I moved with my parents to South Africa in 1964 and become a nationalized SA Citizen in 1967. Can I apply for Mauritius citizenship and a passport? Thanks Lea-Anne
Hi Lea-Anne – if your parents are Mauritian citizens then yes, you’ll be eligible for Mauritius citizenship by descent. All the best, Alatsair
Hi.
After reading through some of these comments I was struggling to find what I was looking for or a situation as mine.
My father recently got his Mauritian Citizenship and I was wondering if it were possible for his children, no matter their age, to get a Mauritian Passport? (Also do you get Citizenship first then passport?)
We live in South Africa
Hi Anthony. Mauritius citizenship by descent is not open to evey child of a Mauritian citizen. It depends on several factors. All the best, Alastair
I gained Mauritian citizenship and am the holder of a Mauritius passport as a result of my mother being born in Mauritius. my question is – are my adult children able to get a Mauritian passport or citizenship as I am a Mauritian Citizen but i was not born here
HI Brigitte. As neither you nor your children were born in Mauritius they are not eligible for citizenship. All the best, Alasatir
Hello Alistair, I have an expired Mauritius passport from childhood as my late father was Mauritian but I was born in uk to English mother and obviously have my uk passport . Can I renew my Mauritius passport easily ?
Good day
I gave birth in Mauritius as a foreigner while on vacation. Will my child be a citizen of Mauritius? and can I be able to travel out there at a month after birth as my tourist status has expired.
Hi Princess. Only children with at least one Mauritian parent can qualify for citizenship as a birthright. All the best, Alastair