Company Formation in Mauritius
Last updated: 2026-04
Last updated: April 2026.
Mauritius is the only African jurisdiction with an investment-grade sovereign rating, a treaty network covering 46 countries, and a flat 15% corporate income tax that drops to an effective 3% for qualifying Global Business Companies under the partial-exemption regime. Incorporation runs through the Registrar of Companies via the CBRIS portal. A domestic company receives its Certificate of Incorporation in 2 to 3 working days. A Global Business Company takes 4 to 5 weeks because the Financial Services Commission — the FSC — reviews the licence. Foreign investors can hold 100% of shares in every company type. Bearer shares are prohibited. The currency is the Mauritian rupee.
We form Mauritius companies end to end: structure selection, CBRIS filing, FSC licensing for GBC or Authorised Company, constitution drafting, tax and VAT registration with the MRA, beneficial-owner filing, and introductions to MCB, SBM, AfrAsia Bank, Bank One, and ABC Banking. Fixed price, dedicated manager, all government fees included.
| Quick facts | Value |
|---|---|
| Corporate income tax (all company types) | 15% flat |
| GBC effective rate (qualifying foreign income) | ~3% after 80% partial exemption |
| Authorised Company tax status | Non-resident — no Mauritius tax |
| VAT (standard) | 15% — registration threshold MUR 6,000,000 |
| Withholding tax on outbound dividends | 0% |
| Minimum share capital | None — USD 1 typical; USD 1,000 advised for GBC |
| Foreign ownership | 100% in all company forms |
| Minimum directors / shareholders | 1 director, 1 shareholder (GBC: 2 resident directors required) |
| Standard formation time | 2–3 days domestic / 5–7 days AC / 4–5 weeks GBC |
| Government fees | Included in our packages |
| Language of filings | English |
| Currency | Mauritian Rupee (MUR) |
Why Form a Company in Mauritius
Mauritius is the preferred African gateway for investment into India, sub-Saharan Africa, and the Indian Ocean region. Four points drive most decisions.
The treaty network is the deepest in Africa. Mauritius has signed 46 double-tax agreements — 45 in force — including treaties with India, China, South Africa, Egypt, Senegal, Kenya, Rwanda, Uganda, and most of the major African economies. Treaty access, combined with a Mauritius tax residency certificate issued by the MRA, is the historic reason private-equity funds, holding companies, and cross-border investors route through Port Louis.
The tax architecture is simple and stable. Corporate tax is 15% flat. There is no capital gains tax on the sale of shares. There are no exchange controls. Dividends paid to non-residents carry zero withholding tax. For a company licensed as a Global Business Company, 80% of qualifying foreign-source income — interest, royalties from a non-Mauritian IP, income from collective investment schemes, ship and aircraft leasing — is exempt, bringing the effective rate to 3%. An Authorised Company pays no Mauritius tax at all, in exchange for not being treated as Mauritius tax resident.
Substance is credible. Since 2019, the Income Tax Act has required GBCs to carry out core income-generating activities in Mauritius, employ qualified staff locally, spend a minimum amount on local operations, and hold board meetings on the island. The FSC enforces this. The upside is that Mauritius came off the EU blacklist in 2022 and remains on the OECD white list — unlike many Caribbean competitors.
The legal system is hybrid and English-speaking. Company law is Commonwealth-style under the Companies Act 2001. Commercial litigation is in English. The Privy Council in London is the final court of appeal. Arbitration runs through the Mauritius International Arbitration Centre under UNCITRAL rules.
The trade-offs are real. GBC formation takes longer than a BVI BC or Cayman exempted company. Banking has tightened — MCB and SBM run stricter KYC on any GBC without clear substance. And the OECD Pillar Two domestic minimum top-up tax kicked in on 1 July 2025 for multinational groups with revenues of €750 million or more, neutralising the partial-exemption advantage for the largest structures.
Company Types Available in Mauritius
The Companies Act 2001 and the Financial Services Act 2007 together give five practical corporate forms. Most cf24 clients pick one of the first three.
Domestic Company (Private Company Limited by Shares)
The ordinary Mauritius company. Limited liability. No minimum share capital — MUR 1 is legally sufficient. One director (resident or non-resident) and one shareholder suffice; they can be the same person. Tax resident in Mauritius by virtue of incorporation and pays 15% corporate income tax on worldwide income. Used for local trading, property holding, consulting, retail, and any activity earning Mauritius-source income. Can also earn foreign income without the GBC partial exemption.
Global Business Company (GBC)
A Mauritius company that holds a Global Business Licence from the Financial Services Commission. Taxed at 15%, with an 80% partial exemption on qualifying foreign-source income — bringing the effective rate to 3% on interest, dividends from foreign subsidiaries where conditions are met, and several other foreign-source categories. Requires real substance: at least two directors resident in Mauritius of sufficient calibre, board meetings on the island, a Mauritius bank account, local accounting and audit, plus minimum expenditure and employee requirements calibrated to the business type. The FSC reviews the GBC application in 5–15 business days from a complete file.
GBCs are the vehicle of choice for holding companies, fund managers, family offices, investment advisers, IP licensing structures, and regional headquarters serving Africa and India.
Authorised Company (AC)
A Mauritius-incorporated company authorised by the FSC that is not tax resident in Mauritius. Its place of effective management must be outside Mauritius. Pays no Mauritius corporate tax, no capital gains tax, no WHT on outbound flows. Does not benefit from the treaty network. Used for offshore trading, holding assets outside Africa, and international services billed to non-resident counterparties. Faster than a GBC — 5 to 7 working days.
Protected Cell Company (PCC)
A single legal entity with segregated cells, each holding assets and liabilities separately. Governed by the Protected Cell Companies Act 1999 and typically held under a GBL. Used for captive insurance, multi-strategy funds, and securitisation.
Limited Partnership (LP)
Under the Limited Partnerships Act 2011, with or without legal personality. General partner bears unlimited liability; limited partners have capped exposure. Tax-transparent by default. Widely used for private equity, venture capital, and real estate funds raising from international investors.
| Form | Min capital | Liability | Tax treatment | Common use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Domestic Company | None (MUR 1) | Limited | 15% CIT on worldwide income | Local trading, operating businesses, 100% foreign-owned subs |
| Global Business Company | None (USD 1,000 advised) | Limited | 15% — effective 3% after 80% partial exemption | Holding, fund mgmt, IP, regional HQ |
| Authorised Company | None | Limited | Non-resident — no Mauritius tax | Offshore trading, holding outside Mauritius |
| Protected Cell Company | Varies per regulator | Cell-level limited | As underlying GBL | Captives, multi-strategy funds |
| Limited Partnership | None | GP unlimited / LP limited | Tax-transparent option | Private equity, VC, real estate funds |
If you need a Mauritius entity faster than the GBC track allows, consider a ready-made Mauritius company from our sister brand — pre-incorporated and transferable in days, with GBC conversion available where the structure warrants it.
Step-by-Step Formation Process
A typical foreign-owned Mauritius formation runs like this. The timing below assumes a Domestic Company; GBC and AC variations are noted.
- Structure selection. We confirm the right vehicle. A Domestic Company suits local trading. A GBC suits cross-border holding with treaty access. An AC suits pure offshore activity with no treaty need.
- Name reservation. We check the proposed name through CBRIS against the Registrar's database and against FSC licence holders. Regulated terms ("bank", "insurance", "trust", "fund") need authorisation. Reservation holds the name for up to 60 days.
- Documentation pack. We draft the constitution, the register of directors and shareholders, and the registered-office declaration. Each director and shareholder provides a certified passport copy, proof of address within three months, a CV, a bank reference, and a source-of-funds declaration. Corporate shareholders add apostilled incorporation certificate, register of members, and UBO confirmation.
- CBRIS filing. We submit the incorporation application online to the Registrar. A Domestic Company receives its Certificate of Incorporation and Business Registration Card in 2 to 3 working days.
- FSC licensing — GBC or AC only. The FSC application goes in alongside or immediately after incorporation, with the business plan, substance plan, and board composition evidencing two resident directors for GBCs. Timing: 5 to 15 business days for a GBC; 5 to 7 working days for an AC.
- Tax, VAT and beneficial owner registration. Every Mauritius company is issued a Tax Account Number (TAN) by the MRA on incorporation. VAT registration is mandatory above MUR 6 million turnover and voluntary below. Beneficial owners are filed with the Registrar within the statutory deadline.
- Bank account opening. MCB, SBM, AfrAsia Bank, Bank One, and ABC Banking onboard non-resident-controlled companies. Onboarding takes 2 to 4 weeks and typically requires one video-verification call. We coordinate the pack and substance narrative upfront.
End-to-end timeline from KYC clearance to operating Domestic Company with a Mauritius bank account is usually 3 to 5 weeks. A GBC is 6 to 10 weeks. An AC is 3 to 4 weeks.
Required Documents
For each director, shareholder, and beneficial owner we need:
- Certified passport copy (notarised or apostilled for non-Commonwealth citizens)
- Proof of residential address dated within three months — utility bill, bank statement, or government letter
- Bank reference letter (certain bank and GBC onboarding scenarios)
- CV covering the last ten years — mandatory for GBC directors
- Source-of-funds declaration and supporting evidence for the capital injection
- Tax residency certificate or tax identification number from the home jurisdiction
For corporate shareholders:
- Apostilled certificate of incorporation
- Apostilled register of directors and members
- Apostilled good-standing certificate dated within three months
- Constitution or memorandum and articles of association
- Confirmation of the ultimate beneficial owner
For a GBC application we add a business plan, a substance plan, projected financials, and evidence of the two Mauritius-resident directors' experience. Apostille is required for documents issued outside the Commonwealth. English translations are required for anything not already in English or French.
Costs and Timeline
Mauritius formation cost depends on whether the vehicle is a Domestic Company, an Authorised Company, or a Global Business Company. The GBC carries an FSC application review, an annual licence, the two resident directors, local administration, and audit — all of which a domestic company does not need.
Our packages cover incorporation via CBRIS, constitution drafting, registered office for year one, beneficial-owner filing, TAN and VAT registration where needed, FSC licence application for GBC or AC, and a bank account introduction with at least two of MCB, SBM, AfrAsia Bank, Bank One, and ABC Banking. Contact us for a fixed-price quote — no hourly fees, and government fees are included with no extras added later.
Typical timeline from KYC clearance, Domestic Company:
| Day | Milestone |
|---|---|
| 0 | Engagement, KYC submitted |
| 2 | KYC cleared, constitution drafted, registered office confirmed |
| 3 | Name reserved and CBRIS filing submitted |
| 5 | Certificate of Incorporation and Business Registration Card issued |
| 6–10 | TAN activated, VAT registration (if applicable), beneficial-owner filing |
| 14–28 | Bank account operational |
A GBC timeline adds 4 to 5 weeks for FSC review. An AC timeline adds 5 to 7 working days for the FSC authorisation.
Tax Overview for Mauritius Companies
Mauritius tax has three layers — the headline rate, the partial-exemption regime, and the Pillar Two overlay.
Corporate income tax: 15% flat on worldwide income for tax-resident companies. This is the rate for every Domestic Company and every GBC. No progressive bands. No surtax. The rate has been 15% since 2007, making Mauritius one of the most predictable corporate tax environments in Africa.
Partial exemption: 80% on qualifying foreign-source income. For GBCs meeting the substance test, 80% of qualifying foreign-source income is exempt — effective rate 3%. Qualifying categories include foreign-source interest, foreign dividends (subject to conditions), collective investment scheme income, ship and aircraft leasing, and reinsurance. The FSC substance test requires local CiGA — core income-generating activities carried out in Mauritius with qualified staff, premises, and expenditure.
Authorised Companies: no Mauritius tax. An AC is treated as non-resident. No corporate income tax, no capital gains tax, no withholding tax in Mauritius. In exchange, it has no treaty access.
VAT: 15% standard rate. The registration threshold is MUR 6,000,000 (roughly USD 130,000) in annual turnover. Businesses below it can register voluntarily. Exports of goods and most services supplied to non-residents are zero-rated. From 1 January 2026, foreign suppliers of digital and electronic services must register for VAT and charge 15% on supplies to Mauritius recipients — no threshold applies to foreign digital suppliers.
Withholding tax. There is no WHT on dividends paid by Mauritius resident companies to non-residents — one of the cleanest dividend regimes in the world. Interest paid to non-residents carries 10% WHT for financial institutions and investment companies, 15% in other cases. Royalties to non-residents carry a default 15% WHT, with 5% on certain literary, artistic, or scientific copyrights. GBCs paying interest or royalties out of foreign-source income are exempt from WHT on those payments.
Capital gains. No capital gains tax on the sale of shares or other assets — except for real property, where gains can fall within the general income tax net in certain cases.
Pillar Two: Qualified Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax applies from 1 July 2025 to Mauritius constituent entities of multinational groups with consolidated annual revenues of €750 million or more. The effective rate on in-scope entities is topped up to 15%, which in practice neutralises the 3% effective rate on the largest structures but leaves smaller GBCs untouched.
Alternative Minimum Tax. Introduced in the 2025-26 budget for hotels, insurance, financial intermediation, real estate, and telecommunications. A 10% tax on book profits applies where regular tax liability falls below that level.
E-invoicing. Mandatory via the MRA e-invoicing system for businesses with turnover above Rs 80 million through financial year 2025-26, rolling out progressively to smaller businesses from 2026-27.
Double-tax treaty network. 46 treaties signed — 45 in force. Partners include India, China, Singapore, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Luxembourg, South Africa, Egypt, Kenya, Nigeria, Senegal, Uganda, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Rwanda, Thailand, Malaysia, and the UAE. The India DTAA — revised by the 2016 Protocol — still provides meaningful benefits for pre-April 2017 structures and calibrated benefits thereafter, subject to a limitation-of-benefits clause.
Banking for Mauritius Companies
Mauritius banking is concentrated in a handful of institutions. Five of them account for almost all non-resident-controlled corporate onboarding.
MCB (Mauritius Commercial Bank) is the largest bank and the most-used partner for GBC and AC structures. Wealth & Business Banking handles non-resident onboarding end to end, with multi-currency accounts in USD, EUR, GBP, ZAR, INR, MUR, and about 15 others. Investment-grade rated, clears directly into USD and EUR. Onboarding takes 2 to 4 weeks.
SBM Bank (State Bank of Mauritius) is the second-largest local bank. A dedicated Global Business desk handles GBC and AC accounts. Strong India corridor coverage through its subsidiary SBM Bank (India).
AfrAsia Bank focuses on private banking and corporate clients connected to Africa and Asia. A preferred choice for GBC service providers managing investment holding companies. Comfortable with non-resident directorship.
Bank One is a joint venture between CIEL Group (Mauritius) and I&M Group (Kenya). Strong on African and Indian Ocean trade corridors, with competitive FX. Suited to operating companies invoicing across East Africa.
ABC Banking Corporation is smaller and accepts many non-resident profiles that MCB and SBM reject on first pass. Useful where the UBO profile is commercially sound but does not fit the compliance templates of the two largest banks.
Other banks with Mauritius corporate accounts include HSBC Mauritius (for clients with existing HSBC relationships), SBI (Mauritius) for Indian-parent GBCs, Investec Bank (Mauritius), and Standard Chartered Mauritius.
Nominee Director Services
Mauritius permits nominee directorship. How it works depends on the vehicle.
For a Domestic Company or Authorised Company, a nominee director is a standard feature. A non-resident UBO can appoint a nominee to sit on the board and sign bank and administrative documentation under an indemnity and nominee declaration. The UBO stays on the beneficial-ownership register held by the Registrar and disclosed to the FSC, MRA, and FIU — not public, but accessible to regulators and obligated entities on request.
For a Global Business Company, nominee directorship is not a substitute for substance. The FSC requires at least two Mauritius-resident directors of sufficient calibre to exercise real control. Resident directors appointed through a licensed management company are standard, but the FSC distinguishes between genuine directors with decision-making authority and paper nominees. The 2019 substance rules expect board meetings on the island, qualified staff, local expenditure, and real decision-making in Mauritius. A GBC failing those tests loses the partial-exemption regime and can lose its FSC licence.
We provide nominee directors for domestic companies and Authorised Companies, and resident directors with substance for GBCs through our Mauritius licensed management company partner. Indemnity, nominee declaration, and service-level agreement covering board meetings and signing authority are standard. We do not provide nominees where the intent is to obscure beneficial ownership from regulators or banks.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is corporate tax in Mauritius in 2026?
The Mauritius corporate income tax rate is 15% flat for all tax-resident companies, including Domestic Companies and Global Business Companies. A GBC meeting the FSC substance test receives an 80% partial exemption on qualifying foreign-source income, reducing the effective rate to 3% on that income. An Authorised Company pays no Mauritius tax.
Can a foreigner register a company in Mauritius?
Yes. Mauritius company law allows 100% foreign ownership across every company form. A non-resident can be the sole director and sole shareholder of a Domestic Company or an Authorised Company. A GBC requires at least two Mauritius-resident directors of sufficient calibre, which we provide through our licensed management company partner.
What is the difference between a GBC and an Authorised Company?
A Global Business Company is tax resident in Mauritius at 15%, benefits from the 80% partial exemption on qualifying foreign-source income, and accesses the Mauritius double-tax treaty network. An Authorised Company is non-resident for Mauritius tax, pays no Mauritius corporate tax, but has no treaty access. Use a GBC when treaty benefits matter; use an AC for pure offshore activity.
How long does it take to register a company in Mauritius?
A Domestic Company receives its Certificate of Incorporation and Business Registration Card in 2 to 3 working days via the CBRIS portal. An Authorised Company takes 5 to 7 working days including FSC authorisation. A Global Business Company takes 4 to 5 weeks because the FSC reviews the licence application. End-to-end, with bank account, most formations complete in 3 to 10 weeks depending on vehicle.
What is the minimum share capital in Mauritius?
There is no minimum share capital for any Mauritius company form. A Domestic Company can be incorporated with one share of MUR 1. For a GBC, the FSC does not impose a statutory minimum but recommends at least USD 1,000 of issued capital to evidence commercial substance. Bearer shares are not permitted.
Is Mauritius a tax haven in 2026?
Mauritius is not on the EU list of non-cooperative jurisdictions and is on the OECD white list of jurisdictions in compliance with international tax standards. The 15% corporate tax rate, the OECD Pillar Two QDMTT effective 1 July 2025, full beneficial-ownership transparency, and the FSC substance requirements mean Mauritius is a compliant low-tax jurisdiction rather than a secrecy-based haven.
Do I need to visit Mauritius to incorporate a company?
No. Every stage of incorporation — CBRIS filing, FSC licensing, MRA registration, and bank account opening — can be completed remotely with certified and apostilled documents. Most banks now accept video verification in place of branch visits. Non-resident directors and shareholders never need to travel to Mauritius in a standard incorporation.
Get Started — Form Your Mauritius Company
A fixed-price quote in 60 seconds. Certificate of Incorporation in 2 to 3 working days for a Domestic Company. FSC licence secured for GBC or AC within the statutory timeline. Bank account introduction included with MCB, SBM, AfrAsia Bank, Bank One, or ABC Banking. Two resident directors provided through our licensed management company partner where GBC substance is required.
Call +48 2222 5 2222 or email [email protected] to start. Most Mauritius Domestic Companies are fully operating with a bank account within 4 weeks. GBCs within 8 to 10 weeks.
Content prepared by Julia Thompson, Corporate Client Service Specialist. Approved by Tomasz Bielski, Managing Director.
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