Work Permit + Employment Residence in Mauritius in 2026
Not every foreign worker in Mauritius uses an Occupation Permit. For employment falling under the separate work-permit framework, the Passport and Immigration Office states that the person must hold both a Residence Permit and a Work Permit issued by the relevant labour authority.
Two permissions, two functions
The Work Permit authorises employment, while the Residence Permit authorises the non-citizen's residence in Mauritius for that employment.
A visitor should not enter Mauritius to take up employment on the assumption that permits can simply be regularised later.
Compare with the Professional Occupation Permit
The Professional Occupation Permit is a combined work-and-residence route. Which route applies depends on the worker, job and employer.
Related: Professional Occupation Permit, Mauritius hub, and legal disclaimer.
Official and supporting sources
- Passport & Immigration Office — Residence Permit for Employmentgovernment · accessed 2026-09-29
- Government migration portal — Occupation and Residence Permitsgovernment · accessed 2026-09-29