A company can be incorporated in one day in Mauritius with the Corporate and Business Registration Department (CBRD). However, when an application is submitted online, a minimum of three days is required. Costs associated with company incorporation varies depending on the nature and category of company.
| Costs of Incorporation | |
| Private Company | Rs 3000 |
| Public Company | Rs 13500 |
| Global Business Company (Private) | Rs 3000 |
| Global Business Company (Public) | Rs 13500 |
| Authorised Company | USD 100 |
| Registration of foreign company | Rs 13,500 |
| Registration of commercial partnership | Rs 9000 |
| Summary of the file | Rs 200 (online) Rs 100 (at CBRD) |
| Signed Certificate of Incorporation (upon request) | Rs 300 |
Choice of the business structure:
Domestic Company
Global Business Company
Authorised Company
A company can be limited by shares, limited by guarantee, limited by shares and guarantee or unlimited.
Domestic Company
Where the majority of the shares of a domestic company is held by a non-citizen of Mauritius, the company will only be permitted to conduct business in Mauritius. Such a company will be required to obtain a Global Business Licence from the Financial Services Commission of Mauritius if it conducts business predominantly outside Mauritius.
The rate of tax for a domestic company is 15% flat on its net profit.
A domestic company is not regulated by the Financial Services Commission unless it is operating in the financial services sector.
Global Business Company
A Global Business Company (GBC) is a company resident in Mauritius and has obtained a Global Business Licence from the Financial Services Commission of Mauritius.
A GBC allows a non-citizen of Mauritius to set up his company in Mauritius. The non-citizen can hold the majority of shares or voting rights or the legal or beneficial interest of a GBC.
The rate of tax for a GBC is 15% flat on its net profit. A GBC can avail to a partial exemption of 80%, that is, 80% of its income will be exempted from tax if the income is derived from the following income/activities:
- Foreign dividend derived by the company;
- Interest derived by a company other than bank;
- Income derived from ship/aircraft leasing;
- Income attributable to Permanent Establishment;
- Income from Collective Investment Scheme (CIS) / Closed-End Fund (CEF) / CIS Manager / CIS Administrator / Adviser / Asset Manager approved by the Financial Services Commission;
- Reinsurance / Reinsurance brokering activities;
- Leasing & provision of international fibre capacity;
- Sale, financing, arrangement, asset management of aircraft and its spare parts and associated aviation advisory services.
A GBC is not subject to any capital gains tax or withholding taxes on distribution.
A GBC has access to the Double Taxation Agreements in force in Mauritius. The list of the Double Taxation Agreements in force can be consulted here.
Authorised Company
An Authorised Company (AC) is an entity that is not resident in Mauritius for tax purposes.
An AC allows a non-citizen of Mauritius to set up his company in Mauritius. The non-citizen can hold the majority of shares or voting rights or the legal or beneficial interest of an AC.
An AC shall conduct its business principally outside Mauritius and shall have its place of effective management outside of Mauritius.
An Authorised Company (AC) cannot engage in the following activities:
- Banking;
- Financial services;
- Carrying out the business of holding or managing or otherwise dealing with a collective investment fund or scheme as a professional functionary;
- Providing of registered office facilities, nominee services, directorship services, secretarial services or other services for corporations;
- Providing trusteeship services by way of business; and
- Any other activities that the Financial Services Commission may determine as being detrimental to the good repute of Mauritius as a centre for financial services or contrary to public interest.
Categories of companies
A company may either be public or private.
Public company
- A public company can have any number of shareholders.
- A public company may offer to sell its shares to the public.
Private company
- Must have not more that 25 shareholders.
- Cannot make offers to the public to buy its shares.
- May impose restrictions on the transfer of shares.
One-person company
One person may form a company. However, within 6 months of incorporation, the sole shareholder/director must nominate a person to be the secretary in the event of his death or incapacity.
Limited Life Company
A Limited Life Company is a company with a fixed period of life duration. Such a company must have at least two shareholders.
Foreign Company
A foreign company is a body corporate incorporated outside of Mauritius. It has to be registered in Mauritius in order to carry out business in Mauritius.
Do you need to incorporate a company in Mauritius? Contact us for assistance to set up your company.