Mauritius, which is officially known as The Republic of Mauritius, is an island. It is located about 2,000 km off the coast of Africa in the Indian Ocean. The country includes the islands of Mauritius, Rodriguez and the outer islands of Agalega and St Brandon. The capital and largest city is Port Louis. It is a popular tourist destination famed for its sandy white beaches. Registration of a company process in Mauritius for foreigner is discussed step by step:
Our services are:
- Formation of a company in Mauritius (private limited GBC and authorised company)
- Accounting
- Income Tax
- Financial advisory, secretarial and virtual office
Mauritius is also an attractive destination for businesses looking to set up companies to take advantage. Low corporate tax rate around 3 percent and lesser is good impact for profit. Coupled with a stable political environment, it has encouraged more businesses to set up companies in the country. These are the common ways of Registration of a company in Mauritius for foreigners under FDI law.
- Appoint 2 persons who act as agents for the company and are residents of Mauritius.
- After then register a company and branch of a foreign company with the Registrar of Companies.
- A foreign company can also set up a subsidiary company in Mauritius.
- However the company must have at least one Mauritius resident as a director.
- The accounting records must also be kept in Mauritius.
- A company secretary must also be appointed and must be a resident of Mauritius.
- Appoint director from Mauritius citizen Act still in progress and not applied.
- A foreign company can also set up a Joint Venture company with a local company in Mauritius.
- The new company can be a limited liability company (GBC).
- As for a Representative Office, Mauritius’s regulations doesn’t provide for the Registration of this type of company.
- The foreign company can register a local company in Mauritius as GBC and authorised company.
There are basically 2 types of business structures of companies that a foreign company can set up in Mauritius. They are –
Company holding as Global Business Licence
This type of company is also known as a resident company. It is set up mainly to take advantage of the low corporate tax rate in the country. This type of company can also do business with other local Mauritian companies or its residents such as financial or insurance services provided that they obtain the necessary approvals and permits to conduct the business.
Company holding as authorised company
Authorised company are considered as foreign companies or offshore companies. This type of companies mainly conducts their business dealings outside of Mauritius. The main purpose of setting up an authorised company is also for tax purposes as they are not subject to the country’s corporate tax.
As Mauritius foreign Formation of a company advantage, foreign company can also acquire interests in a local company in Mauritius. However the main restriction to this is that the foreign investor cannot acquire interests in a Mauritian company that is producing sugar which is listed on the share market.
Business Registration Mauritius
Steps of business Registration Mauritius as follows-
- Reserving a company name – First and foremost you need to come up with a name for your company. Then, you would need to register this name with the Registrar of Companies (ROC). The ROC can refuse the name if-
- It contravenes a legal enactment
- There is another company with the same name
- The name is deemed offensive by the ROC
The application of Registration of a company process in Mauritius can also be done online but you must first register with the Mauritius Network Services.
- Submit the application – The application form must have the following information -
- Name of the company
- Details of the director and secretary such as their full names, residential address and service address
- Any business occupation of the directors in any other company.
- Details of the shareholders.
- Type of company whether it’s a limited or unlimited.
- Structure of the company whether it’s public or private
- The registered office of the company
- The business activity and location of the business
- Full name of the applicant
- Once the application complies with the section of companies and payment of the prescribed fees. The Registrar then will issue the Certificate of Incorporation and issue a unique company number.
- The ROC updates the company’s information in the Central Business Registration Database. The Mauritius Revenue Authority, Local Authority (Municipality) and the Ministry of Social Security are all notified of any newly incorporated company. As such the new company is automatically registered for taxes and doesn’t need to file a separate application at the tax office.
- Inspection by local authorities – The next step is the inspection by the Sanitary Authority, the Police Department, Fire Services Department, the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Social Security. These authorities will inform the new company of the relevant fees, guidelines and other provisions.
- Pay licence fees – The newly established company then needs to pay the licence fees. This must be done within 15 days upon starting the business operation. Thereafter for every subsequent financial year, it can be paid in 2 equal installments.
- The company would then need to register with the Social Security Office. The new company should submit a monthly return of contributions to this office.
- Make a company seal – The company seal must be used in the normal business operations.
Advantage of Registration of a company process in Mauritius as GBC and authorised company is choice of entrepreneurs.
Registration of a company Fees in Mauritius?
USD 2600 to USD 3000
Can I register GBC company alone?
Yes, can, till not local director MUST appoint law not been applied.
Which bank is the best to operate corporate account?
We recommend for Standard Chartered Bank.
How long takes to open GBC in Mauritius?
7-10 days if business plan is approved.