Invest in Mauritius
Procedures to start business in Mauritius
New small enterprises can start their business activities within three working days from the time of application for a business permit.
-
Domestic Company
-
Company holding a Category I Global Business Licence
-
Company holding a Category 2 Global Business Licence
These companies may be:
Company limited by shares : A company formed on the principle of having the liability of its shareholders limited by its constitution to any amount unpaid on the shares respectively held by the shareholder.
Company limited by guarantee : A company formed on the principle of having the liability of its Members limited by its constitution to such amount as the Members may respectively undertake to contribute to the assets of the company in the event of its being wound up.
An unlimited company : a company formed on the principle of having no limit placed on the liability of its shareholders
Limited Life Company
Public company | ![]() | A public company may offer to sell its shares to the public. |
![]() | A public company may have more than 25 shareholders. | |
Private company | ![]() | Must have not more that 25 shareholders. |
![]() | Cannot make offers to the public to subscribe for its shares. | |
![]() | May impose restrictions on the transfer of shares. | |
![]() | May dispense with holding of shareholders’ meetings under s. 117 and 106. | |
![]() | May remove a director by special resolution subject to constitution. | |
![]() | May appoint a director aged over 70. | |
![]() | May dispense with the obligation to prepare an annual report by unanimous resolution (s. 218(2)) | |
![]() | May dispense with obligation to keep an interest register by unanimous resolution. | |
Small private companies | ![]() | it is one with a turnover of less than 10 million rupees or such other amount as may be prescribed in respect of its last preceding accounting period; |
![]() | it is not a company holding a Category 1 Global Business Licence |
One-person company | The Act provides that one person may form a company. However, at incorporation or within 6 months, the sole shareholder/director must nominate a person to be the secretary in the event of his death or incapacity. |
Dormant companies | A dormant company is one where no significant accounting transaction has occurred during any period (section 293). This excludes the issue of shares, payment of bank charges, licences fees and other compliance costs. |
Application forms for name reservation and incorporation of companies are available at the Registrar of Companies on request or may be downloaded on the http://www.govmu.org
![]() | Form 1 - an application for incorporation of a company. |
![]() | A notice of reservation of name issued by the Registrar; |
![]() | Form 7 - the consent of every director of the proposed company. (Note that a company is only required to have a minimum of one director); |
![]() | Form 8 - (if applicable) – the consent of every secretary of the proposed company. |
![]() | Form 9 - the consent of every shareholder of the proposed company. |
![]() | Other documents to be submitted: Where the proposed company has a constitution, a certified copy of the constitution by a law practitioner must be submitted together with the above mentioned documents. |
Domestic companies are incorporated within 24 hours of submission of application. Certificates of incorporation for category 1 & category Global Business Companies are delivered on the same day, pending approval from Financial Services Commission.
-
Name of the company/commercial partnership
-
Company file number/Commercial partnership files number
-
The Business name (if any)
-
The general nature of business and its location
-
Date or proposed date of commencement of business
-
Address of the principal place of business
-
Postal address
-
Workforce of the applicant
-
Telephone number, fax number and email address
Companies Division
One Cathedral Square,
Jules Koenig Street, Port-Louis
Tel: +230 211 2566
Guide: http://www.govmu.org
More information can be obtained from the Ministry of Local Government: http://www.govmu.org
Level 3, Emmanuel Anquetil Building
c/r S.S.R. & J. Koenig Streets, Port Louis
Tel:+230 201 1216;
Regulated activities
If the proposed business is engaged in regulated activities, licences prior to registration is required.