Business Licences in Mauritius
Navigate Mauritius's licensing framework with confidence — from FSC financial services licences to sector-specific approvals and the Business Registration Number.
Operating a business in Mauritius — whether as a domestic company, a Global Business Company or a specialised financial services entity — requires a clear understanding of the applicable licensing and registration requirements. The regulatory landscape involves multiple authorities: the Financial Services Commission (FSC) supervises financial services businesses; the Bank of Mauritius regulates banking and payment services; and the Registrar of Companies issues the Business Registration Number (BRN) which serves as the company's unique identifier for tax and regulatory purposes. Certain sectors — including fund management, insurance, securities dealing, payment services, fintech, and peer-to-peer lending — require specific FSC licences before any business activity can commence. Our team guides clients through licence selection, application preparation, regulatory correspondence and ongoing compliance to ensure they operate on a sound legal and regulatory footing from day one.
Principal licence categories
Global Business Company Licence
The foundational licence for any company wishing to carry on business internationally from Mauritius. Issued by the FSC, it confers tax residency status and is a prerequisite for treaty access. The GBC licence does not on its own authorise regulated financial services activities — additional licences are required for fund management, investment advice or other regulated activities.
FSC Financial Services Licences
A wide range of financial services activities require specific FSC licences, including: Investment Dealer, Investment Adviser, CIS Administrator, CIS Manager, Custodian, Asset Manager, Crowdfunding Operator, Peer-to-Peer Lending Operator, Fintech Service Provider, Insurance Agent and Insurance Broker. Each licence category carries its own capital, fit-and-proper, infrastructure and conduct requirements.
Business Registration Number (BRN)
Every company incorporated in Mauritius is assigned a Business Registration Number by the Registrar of Companies / the Corporate and Business Registration Department (CBRD). The BRN is required for tax registration, opening bank accounts, entering contracts and fulfilling statutory obligations. It is issued as part of the incorporation process and is included in the Certificate of Incorporation.
Sector-Specific and Operational Licences
Beyond FSC and Bank of Mauritius licences, businesses in specific sectors require approvals from other regulatory bodies. These include the Economic Development Board (EDB) for certain investment-related activities, the Ministry of Financial Services for money changers, the Gambling Regulatory Authority for gaming, and various sector regulators for telecommunications, energy, healthcare and hospitality businesses.
Licence application process
Activity mapping and licence selection
We review your intended business activities in detail to identify every applicable licence requirement — at the FSC, Bank of Mauritius and any other relevant authority — and advise on the most efficient sequencing of applications.
Application preparation
We prepare the full application package including the business plan, fit-and-proper questionnaires, organisational charts, compliance manuals, financial projections, KYC dossiers for all principals and any other materials required by the relevant regulator.
Submission and regulatory dialogue
We submit the application and manage all correspondence with the regulator, responding to queries, providing supplementary information and attending any required meetings or presentations on your behalf.
Licence issuance and ongoing compliance
Once the licence is granted, we assist with implementation of the required compliance framework — including AML/CFT policies, reporting obligations, fee payments and annual renewal requirements.
Common requirements across licence categories
- Fit-and-proper assessment of all directors, shareholders and key personnel
- Detailed business plan describing activities, target markets and revenue model
- Minimum capital requirements (vary significantly by licence type)
- Designated Compliance Officer and, for some licences, a Money Laundering Reporting Officer (MLRO)
- AML/CFT policies and procedures aligned with Mauritius Financial Intelligence and Anti-Money Laundering Act
- Physical or virtual office in Mauritius (requirements vary by licence)
- PI insurance or fidelity bond for certain licence categories
- Annual licence renewal fees payable to the FSC
Indicative costs
| البند | النطاق الاستدلالي |
|---|---|
| GBC licence application fee (government) | USD 200 – 350 (approx.) |
| FSC investment/fund licence application fee | USD 500 – 2,000+ (varies by category) |
| Professional preparation of licence application | USD 2,000 – 8,000 depending on complexity |
| Annual FSC licence renewal fee | USD 250 – 5,000+ depending on licence type |