How to get Mauritius citizenship?
In summary, how to obtain Mauritian citizenship in the following ways:
- Citizenship by Birth
- Citizenship by adoption
- Registration of citizens of the Commonwealth
- Registration of minor children
- Registration of foreign spouses of Mauritian citizens
- Naturalization of a foreigner or a British-protected person
- Naturalization for investors
- Renunciation of Mauritian citizenship
- Reinstatement of Mauritian citizenship after renunciation under section 14 of the Mauritian citizenship act
- Resumption of Mauritian citizenship for persons who are not habitually resident in Mauritius.
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Methods to Obtain Mauritian Citizenship
Citizenship by Birth
In Mauritius, individuals can acquire citizenship by birth if they meet certain criteria.
- If you were born in Mauritius to foreign or local parents
- If you’re born in Mauritius, and either of your parents is a national of the nation.
By descent- If either of your parents is a Mauritian and you were born outside the nation, you’re a Mauritian as per sections 20 (3) and 23 of the constitution.
Citizenship by adoption
Another method to obtain Mauritian citizenship is through adoption.
As per the Mauritius Act Section 3, a minor that isn’t a Mauritian is eligible for citizenship if:
- A Mauritian has adopted them, but in case it’s a joint adoption, the male adopter has to be a citizen of Mauritius
- The adoption has been effected legally in Mauritius
The adopting parties must produce the following original documents, including two copies of each:
- Birth certificate of the child
- Acceptance letter from biological parents
- Birth certificates of the adopter(s)
- An official adoption order
- Adopters’ certificate of foreign national where necessary
Once the minister approves the application, he will issue a certificate of nationality effective from the adoption date.
Registration of citizens of the Commonwealth
Under section 5 of the Mauritius Citizenship Act, citizens of Commonwealth countries have the opportunity to register as citizens of Mauritius. To be eligible, applicants must fulfill specific conditions, such as
As per the Mauritius Act section 5, commonwealth members, like Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and United Kingdom have the opportunity to register as citizens of Mauritius if they reside in the country for at least five years. The foreign affairs minister will approve their citizenship as long as they are of age and capacity. Other characteristics that the commonwealth citizen needs to satisfy include the following:
- Being of perfect character
- Having adequate knowledge of the English language or any other Mauritian language
- If the foreign affairs were to consider a shorter period of residence, it must be more than 12 months
- Must prove the intention to continue living in Mauritius after registration
Download Application Registration of citizens of the Commonwealth
Registration of minor children
Under the Citizenship Act section 6, minor children of Mauritian citizens can register as citizens of the nation. The parents need to submit their applications to the Home Affairs Secretary in the Office of the Prime Minister.
The parents can visit Prime Minister’s Office to collect the application form or download it online. They must fill-in all the details, and in the presence of an advocate, sign the declaration part before submitting.
They will submit this form with the necessary documents and a non-refundable fee of RS.2000. After reviewing the documents and approval, the applicant will have to pay a registration fee amounting to RS 20,000. They only need to wait for a written notification that the registration certificate is ready.
Download Application Registration of minor children
Registration of foreign spouses of Mauritian citizens
Under the Citizenship Act section 7, foreign spouses to Mauritian citizens can register as citizens if they have resided with their spouse for at least four years, and there should be conjugal proof.
Download Application Registration of foreign spouses of Mauritian citizens
Naturalization of a foreigner or a British-protected person
Under the Citizenship Act section 9, non-commonwealth citizens can become Mauritian citizens if they have been in Mauritius for:
- 12 months after the application date; and
- During the seven years immediately following 12 months after the application for citizenship
Download Application Naturalization of a foreigner or a British-protected person
Naturalization for investors
Under the Mauritius Citizenship Act section 9(3), investors can become Mauritian citizens through naturalization if:
- They have invested a minimum of $375,000 in the nation, and
- They have been in Mauritius for at least two years following the date when they applied for citizenship
Read more under Mauritian citizenship by investment program
Getting Mauritius Citizenship Through the Permanent Residency Program
After fulfilling different investment requirements, foreign nationals are eligible for the permanent residence program in Mauritius. The residency program is among the channels the Mauritian government uses to encourage foreigners to develop and invest in the nation’s economy. If a foreign investor invests at least $375,000, they can be get permanent residence in Mauritius. They won’t need to obtain a residence or work permit once they receive permanent residence. Their children and spouse will also be eligible to get a permanent residence with the help of the applicant. For children above 18 years, the applicant must deposit $100,000 via bank transfer to the national Accountant General. The investment amount cannot bear interest. However, it is worth it since you can easily acquire citizenship. The MEDIA (Mauritius Export Development and Investment Authority) is responsible for permanent residence applications. After applying for permanent residence, you’ll require approval of each investment depending on whether your business activity qualifies.
Renunciation of Mauritian citizenship
Under the Mauritius Citizenship Act section 14(1), Mauritian citizens who are also nationals of foreign nations can renounce their citizenship. The Minister will ensure that the renunciation is registered, and the person will cease to be a national from the registration date.
Download Application Form Renunciation of Mauritian citizenship
Reinstatement of Mauritian citizenship after renunciation under section 14 of the Mauritian citizenship act
Under the Mauritius Citizenship Act section 14(2), if you’re of full capacity and age and you renounced your citizenship under the Citizenship Act section 14(1), you can resume your citizenship and become a Mauritian citizen, provided you can fulfill these conditions;
- Your marriage has been dissolved, your spouse has died, or your spouse has abandoned you
- You intend to reside in Mauritius
Resumption under section 15 of the Mauritian citizenship act. You can resume your Mauritian citizenship under the Act section 15 (1) if:
- You were a Mauritius passport holder and a nationality in a foreign nation,
- You ceased to be a Mauritius citizen after failing to renounce your citizenship or nationality of the foreign country under the Act section 15; and
- You reached 21 years of age after or on 12th March 1968 and before 1st October 1995.
Download Application form for the resumption of the citizenship of Mauritius under section 14(2)
Resumption of Mauritian citizenship for persons who are not habitually resident in Mauritius.
Under the Mauritius Citizenship Act section 15(2), people who;
- Were Mauritian citizens and also nationals of another foreign nation; and
- Ceased to become Mauritian citizens for failing to renounce their foreign nationality under the Mauritian Citizenship Act Section 15,
Applicants may apply for their Mauritian citizenship for reinstatement. The minister will grant such reinstatement of citizenships based on his discretion.
Download Factsheet For Resumption Of Mauritian Citizenship For People Ordinarily Resident In Mauritius
Download Application for the resumption of the citizenship of Mauritius under section 15(2) For persons who are not ordinarily resident in Mauritius
Dual citizenship
Is dual citizenship allowed in Mauritius? Yes! Each Mauritian citizen is allowed dual citizenship. However, you should ensure your country of origin allows dual citizenship. For example, India doesn’t allow its citizens to have dual citizenship. If you’re an Indian citizen and decide to acquire citizenship, you cease becoming a citizen of India.
FAQs on Mauritius citizenship
How to get Mauritius citizenship in 2023?
- Citizenship by birth and descent
- By Adoption
- Registration of citizens of the Commonwealth
- Registration of minor children
- Registration of foreign spouses of Mauritian citizens
- Naturalization of a foreigner or a British-protected person
- Naturalization for investors
- Renunciation of Mauritian citizenship
- Reinstatement of Mauritian citizenship after renunciation under section 14 of the Mauritian citizenship act
- Resumption of Mauritian citizenship under section 15 of the Mauritian citizenship act
- Resumption of Mauritian citizenship for persons who are not habitually resident in Mauritius.
Can you buy citizenship in Mauritius?
There is the naturalization for investors, from 375000 USD it starts.
Is dual citizenship allowed in Mauritius?
Yes! Each Mauritian citizen is allowed dual citizenship.
Can you lose your Mauritius citizenship?
You can lose your citizenship by voluntarily renouncing it under the immigration law. You only need to visit the Mauritius embassy and carry out all the paperwork.
At the moment, there is no involuntary policy or immigration regulation that can involuntarily renounce your citizenship in the country.
The new set of discretionary powers of the Prime Minister (Page 239) (f) in section 11 of the Mauritius Citizenship Act 2022. Under this law, the Prime Minister can revoke the citizenship of a foreigner married to a Mauritian woman or a foreign woman married to a Mauritian man without giving any reason.
i borne in mauritius but i dont know how to get my mauritian nationality, can somoine help me?
first, go to the Mauritian consulate and ask there.
I want to be a mauiritus citizenship
We are holding Invester & holding PR. Staying in Mauritius for last 15 years & doing export business & regularly filing MRA .Now interested to acquire citizenship.Pl suggest & fix personal meeting.Thxs
I can only tell you who I have worked with. If that would help you further, please contact me through my email.