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1. Which law covers the grant of a work permit? 
Non-Citizens Employment Restriction Act 1973.

2. What are the procedures for the recruitment of expatriate skilled workers? 
The company should seek permission in principle from the Employment Division of the Ministry of Labour, Industrial Relations and Employment, by way of a letter. For more details please see guidelines
http://www.gov.mu/portal/goc/empment/file/wpermit%20guidelines%2019052009.doc

3. Who is eligible to apply for a work permit? 
(i) Any foreigner who has got an offer of employment in Mauritius and its territories.
(ii) Any foreign investor.

4. In case the offer of employment is made by a company, should that company be incorporated in Mauritius? 
Yes - A copy of the Certificate of Incorporation has to be submitted at the time of application.

5. Does a foreigner married to a Mauritian citizen need a work permit? 
No, he/she is exempted from the requirements of a work permit

6. Who should submit the work permit application? 
The prospective employer

7. How to apply for work permit? 
Applications should be submitted on prescribed application forms available at the Employment Division on weekdays from 09:00 to 16:00 at the following address:

Employment Division
10th floor, Sterling House
Lislet Geoffroy Street, Port Louis
Republic of Mauritius
Phone: (230) 213 2370 - 75
OR
Application forms can be downloaded from
http://labour.gov.mu/empment/download/wpermit.pdf

8. Should we apply for a residence permit simultaneously? 
Yes, a common counter at the Employment Division is operational where an officer of the Passport and Immigration Office (PIO) receives applications for residence permit and an officer of the Employment Division receives applications for work permit.

9.(a) What are the documents to be submitted with the application form? 
(i) 4 passport size photographs
(ii) Clear copy of relevant parts of passport showing name, date of birth, place and date of issue of passport, photo, passport number and movement
(iii) Certified copy of academic and professional qualifications and details of work experience
(iv) Job profile
(v) Provisional Health Clearance in respect of each expatriate from the Occupational Health Unit of Ministry of Health and Quality of Life
(vi) Contract of Employment duly vetted by the Ministry of Labour and Industrial Relations and Employment in respect of expatriates earning a salary of less than Rs20,000 per month or documentary evidence from the employer certifying that the expatriate will earn a monthly salary of Rs20,000 or more
(vii) Health and Fire clearances in respect of dormitories
(viii) Trade licence/ Tourist Enterprise Licence

(b) Any additional document required? 
Investors
(i) Evidence from the Bank certifying transfer of funds from abroad
(ii) Letter from Registrar of Companies certifying no. of shares acquired by investor
(iii) Certificate of Investment
Football/Basket Ball/Volley Ball Players
(i) Covering letter from Employer
(ii) Letter from their respective Federation
(iii) Clearance – International Transfer Certificate
Trade Fairs
(i) 4 photos in respect of Team leader only
(ii) Application + copy passport (Team leader)
(iii) List of participants with passport number
(iv) P M O + Letter from M/Commerce
Shows
(i) 4 photos in respect of Team leader only
(ii) Application + copy passport (Team leader)
(iii) List of participants with passport number
Offshore
(i) Applications for work permits (new and renewal) should be submitted through Financial Services Promotion Agency
Freeport Sector
(i) Applications for work permits (new and renewal) should be submitted through Mauritius Freeport Authority.
IT Sector (New/Renewal application)
(i) Employer should specify on which project/module expatriate will work and submit copy of agreement.
(ii) For companies involved in training, a copy of the certificate of registration of the company with the (MQA) Mauritius Qualification Authority should be submitted.
Jockey
(i) Covering letter from Nominator
(ii) Recommendation letter from Mauritius Turf Club
(iii) Transfer Certificate from Jockey’s Club
(iv) No objection letter from previous stable in case of transfer to another stable
Construction Sector
(i) Letter of award for each project; stating starting and completion date and maintenance period.
(ii) request for importation of workers in respect of each project
(iii) Sculptors:
a. a request for permission in principle is required
b. registration certificate of religious institution
Bangla Deshi Workers
(i) The applications should be accompanied with photocopies of passports duly certified by the relevant Ministry in Bangladesh;

(ii) The recruiting agents should be duly certified and authorized to recruit workers in Bangladesh;

(iii) Employers should submit the name and address of the recruiting agents and produce relevant documents to certify documents that the agents are authorized by the relevant Authority in Bangladesh to recruit workers; and whenever any case of discrepancy is noted with regard to recruitment agent, no further applications for permits involving the agent would be considered. Legal action would be initiated against the recruiting agent or the employer.
Trainee
Evidence from respective overseas institution proving the necessity for the placement.

(c) How should I submit my documents if I apply online? 
For online applications, documents may be scanned and submitted as attachment when submitting the online application, with the exception of vetted contract, provisional health clearance and passport sized photographs which should be submitted in original.

10. Will an application be accepted if any document is missing? 
No, Incomplete application or inadequate filling of form will not be accepted.
An application with all required details and documents will enable timely processing of the application and finalisation of it within least possible delay.

11.(a) When should application for renewal of work permit be submitted? 

Three months before expiry of current work permit.

(b) What are the documents to be submitted?

(i) Two passport size photographs
(ii) (a) Documentary evidence from the employer certifying that the expatriate will earn a monthly salary of Rs 20,000
OR
Contract of Employment duly vetted by the Ministry of Labour and Industrial Relations in respect of expatriates earning less than Rs 20,000 per month

(b) Employers should indicate whether they have advertised the post.

12. Is there any restriction regarding age of expatriate? 
Yes, the applicant should normally be between 20-60 years.

13. Will the Ministry consider application for work permit from a foreigner who is already in the country on a tourist visa? 
No.

14.(a) My application has been approved and I am required to furnish a security deposit. Should it be in cash or bank guarantee? 

Either cash or bank guarantee. Cheques should be drawn to the order of the Government of Mauritius. Bank guarantee should be valid till departure.

(b) Is security deposit required for dependents? 
Yes

15. Is security deposit refundable? 
Yes,
(i) after the departure of the expatriate from Mauritius or
(ii) change of employer and on receipt of fresh security deposit from the new employer

16. Can I have my claim for payment of work permit fees by fax? 
Yes, exact fax number to be submitted.

17. Can I collect my work permit? 
Yes, otherwise the work permit is sent by registered post.

18. Can I have another work permit in case of loss of the original one? 
Yes, a duplicate work permit will be issued against payment of the prescribed fee of Rs500.

A statement from the Police Authorities should accompany the request for a duplicate work permit.

19. I have a new passport. Can I get a fresh work permit with the new passport number? 
No fresh work permit is issued. However, the amendment is done by way of a letter.

20. I have got my work permit. Can I have my residence permit? 
For residence permit, please liaise with the Passport and Immigration Office on the following telephone number:(230) 210 9312.

21. Can the company sign the application form on behalf of the expatriate? 
Yes.

22. For how long can a skilled expatriate worker work in Mauritius? 
Foreign skilled workers are normally granted work permit for a maximum period of four years. They may take up employment for another term of four years provided they have spent one year abroad at the expiry of their first term of employment.

23. What should I do if my passport number changes? 
Any change in passport number should be notified to the Ministry and a copy thereof should be submitted.

24. Can documents submitted be in any language? 
No. All documents submitted should be in either English or French.

25. Under what circumstances may a work permit be cancelled?
Among others; 
(i) when expatriate is not coming to Mauritius
(ii) when expatriate has left before expiry date of work permit
(iii) when there is a breach of contract
(iv) when health clearance is not granted
(v) when residence permit is not granted

26. Is a non-citizen who is a holder of a permanent residence permit require a work permit? 
(i.) Yes, except if he/she is married to a Mauritian citizen, there is no need for a work permit.
(ii.) Falls under permanent residence scheme of the Prime Minister's Office.

27. Does a non-citizen who wishes to follow an attachment course in Mauritius as trainee? 
Yes

28. How do I make an application online? 

Steps involved are:

(i) If you are already registered to the online services, login and select online work permit service, else register yourself and then select the online work permit service.
(ii) Fill in the online form available
(iii) Print filled in application form and sign.
(iv) Submit filled in application form with signature at Employment Division and pay application fee.

You may attach scanned copies of all documents except for the following documents, which should be submitted in original copy when paying the application fee, which is Rs 500 at the Employment Division Counter.

(i) 4 passport size photograph
(ii) provisional Health Clearance from the Occupational Health Unit of Ministry of Health and Quality of Life
(iii) Contract of Employment duly vetted by the Ministry of Labour and Industrial Relations and Employment