Jargon Buster

Mauritius Jargon Buster: Plain-English Definitions for British Movers

Moving to Mauritius involves a lot of new terminology — visa categories, banking acronyms, government portals, and job-board names that mean nothing until someone explains them. This jargon buster gives you clear, standalone definitions so you can read official documents, bank websites, and job listings without having to stop and search every other line. Think of it as a glossary written by someone who has been through the paperwork rather than someone who drafted it.

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Mauritius and the Indian Ocean: Basic Geography You Need to Know

Mauritius is an island nation in the south-western Indian Ocean, roughly 2,000 kilometres off the east coast of Africa and about 900 kilometres east of Madagascar. It is a sovereign republic and a member of the Commonwealth. The capital is Port Louis.

The Indian Ocean is the third-largest ocean in the world. Mauritius sits within a group of islands sometimes called the Mascarene Islands, which also includes Reunion (a French overseas territory) and Rodrigues (a dependency of Mauritius).

Rodrigues is a smaller island about 560 kilometres east of the Mauritian mainland. It has its own regional assembly and a quieter, more rural character. Some families consider it, though most British movers settle on the main island.

Grand Baie, Tamarin, Flic en Flac, Black River (Riviere Noire) are the coastal areas most popular with British and other international residents. Each has a different feel, and knowing the names helps you read property listings without confusion.

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Visa and Residency Terms Decoded

Premium Visa is a long-stay visa introduced by the Mauritian government that allows remote workers and retirees to live in Mauritius for up to one year, renewable. It does not grant the right to work for a local employer.

Occupation Permit (OP) is the main route for people who want to work in Mauritius or run a business there. There are three categories: Investor, Professional, and Self-Employed. Each has its own minimum income or investment threshold.

Investor OP requires you to set up a business in Mauritius and meet a minimum investment or turnover figure set by the Economic Development Board (EDB).

Professional OP is for people employed by a Mauritian company. Your employer applies on your behalf and your salary must meet the current minimum threshold (check the EDB website for the latest figure as it is reviewed periodically).

Self-Employed OP is for freelancers and sole traders operating in Mauritius. You must show a minimum level of annual income from your activity.

Permanent Residence Permit (PRP) is available after holding an Occupation Permit for a set number of years, or by meeting certain investment criteria. It gives you the right to live and work in Mauritius indefinitely without renewing annually.

EDB stands for the Economic Development Board, the Mauritian government body that handles Occupation Permits, investor applications, and business registration for foreigners.

BOI stands for Board of Investment, the former name of what is now the EDB. You will still see BOI referenced in older documents and some online forums.

IRS, RES, PDS, Smart City are property scheme categories that allow foreigners to buy residential property in Mauritius and, in some cases, qualify for residency through that purchase. IRS stands for Integrated Resort Scheme, RES for Real Estate Scheme, and PDS for Property Development Scheme (which replaced both IRS and RES). Smart City is a newer mixed-use development category. The minimum purchase prices and residency benefits differ between schemes.

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Banking Terms You Will Encounter

MCB stands for Mauritius Commercial Bank, the largest and oldest commercial bank in Mauritius, founded in 1838. Most British residents end up banking with MCB or one of its main competitors.

Internet banking MCB Mauritius refers to MCB's online banking platform, known as MCB Juice or the MCB Internet Banking portal. It allows you to manage accounts, pay bills, and transfer money online. You register for it once your account is open, using your account number and a one-time PIN sent to your registered mobile number.

MCB Juice is MCB's mobile banking app, available on iOS and Android. It covers most day-to-day banking needs and is widely used by residents.

Internet banking Mauritius Commercial Bank is simply the full formal name for the same MCB online service. You may see both the short form (MCB internet banking) and the long form (Mauritius Commercial Bank internet banking) in official correspondence. They refer to the same platform.

SBM stands for State Bank of Mauritius, the other major retail bank. It is government-linked and also offers internet banking and mobile apps.

AML and KYC stand for Anti-Money Laundering and Know Your Customer. Mauritius banks are required by law to verify your identity and the source of your funds before opening an account. Expect to provide your passport, proof of address (UK and Mauritius), and sometimes evidence of income or savings. This is standard procedure, not a sign of suspicion.

SWIFT/BIC code is the international identifier for a bank used in international wire transfers. MCB's SWIFT code is MCBLMUPX. You will need this when transferring money from your UK bank to Mauritius.

MUR is the ISO currency code for the Mauritian Rupee, the local currency. Exchange rates fluctuate, so it is worth checking before large transfers.

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Jobs and Career Terms in Mauritius

Job.mu (often written as job mu mauritius or mauritius jobs mu) is one of the most widely used job listing websites in Mauritius. It aggregates vacancies across sectors including finance, hospitality, IT, and education. If you are researching jobs in Mauritius before you move, this is a practical starting point.

Jobs in Mauritius is the general phrase used to describe local employment. The Mauritian job market is smaller than the UK's, and competition for senior roles can be significant. Sectors with the most career opportunities in Mauritius for internationally qualified candidates include financial services, information and communication technology (ICT), tourism and hospitality management, and international education.

Mauritius job opportunities often appear on sector-specific platforms as well as general boards. LinkedIn is increasingly used by Mauritian employers, particularly in financial services and tech.

Work Permit is not a term used for employees in Mauritius in the way it is in the UK. Instead, the Professional Occupation Permit covers the right to work. However, some documents and employers still use the phrase loosely to mean the OP.

ICT sector stands for Information and Communication Technology. Mauritius has actively developed this sector as part of its economic diversification strategy, and it is one of the more accessible areas for British professionals with relevant skills.

Global Business Company (GBC) is a type of company registered in Mauritius that conducts business primarily outside Mauritius. Many international firms use GBC structures for tax efficiency. If a job listing mentions a GBC employer, it typically means the company has an international focus rather than a purely local one.

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Other Terms Worth Knowing

CSG stands for Contribution Sociale Generalisee, Mauritius's social contribution system (similar in concept to National Insurance in the UK). Both employers and employees contribute. If you are employed locally, deductions will appear on your payslip.

MRA stands for the Mauritius Revenue Authority, the equivalent of HMRC. It administers income tax, VAT, and other duties.

NID stands for National Identity Card. As a foreign resident, you will not hold a Mauritian NID, but you will hear the term frequently because locals use it as their primary identification document.

CEB stands for the Central Electricity Board, the main electricity provider. CWA stands for the Central Water Authority. These are the utility bodies you register with when you move into a property.

Notaire is the French-derived term for a notary, the legal professional who handles property transactions in Mauritius. Property law here is based on the French Napoleonic Code, so conveyancing works differently from the UK. A notaire is not the same as a solicitor.

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Keep this page bookmarked. As you go through the moving process, you will encounter these terms repeatedly, and having clear definitions in one place saves a lot of back-and-forth. If there is a term you have come across that is not listed here, it is worth asking directly rather than guessing. The paperwork is manageable once you know what you are actually reading.

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Frequently Asked Questions