Nationality of Mauritius: all obtaining pathways
Mauritius requires twelve months plus five of the last seven years for ordinary naturalization —only two years for investors— and four years for registration of the foreign spouse. Commonwealth nationals may register after five continuous years, and citizenship is transmitted by birth and descent.
1Citizenship by birth
Citizenship by birth
Requirements
- Born in Mauritius before 1 October 1995, to Mauritian or foreign parents
- Born in Mauritius after 1 October 1995 if one of the parents is a Mauritian citizen
Documentation
- Birth certificate
2Citizenship by descent
Citizenship by descent
Requirements
- Born outside Mauritius to a father or mother Mauritian by birth (arts. 20(3) and 23 of the Constitution)
Documentation
- Birth certificates of the child and the parent
3Citizenship by adoption
Citizenship by adoption
Requirements
- Minor non-citizen adopted by a Mauritian citizen (or male adopter in joint adoption) with adoption legally effected in Mauritius (art. 3 of the Mauritius Citizenship Act)
Documentation
- Adoption Order of the Supreme Court
- Application to the Prime Minister's Office for the nationality certificate
4Registration of Commonwealth citizens
Registration of Commonwealth citizens
Requirements
- Commonwealth citizen with continuous residence of 5 years (or a shorter period of ≥12 months at the Minister’s discretion) immediately prior to the application (art. 5)
Documentation
- Application to the Secretary for Home Affairs on official forms, signed before a judge or the Master and Registrar or a District Magistrate
5Registration of minors and foreign spouses
Registration of minors and foreign spouses
Requirements
- Minor child of a Mauritian (art. 6)
- Foreign spouse of a Mauritian citizen: cohabitation under the same roof in Mauritius for 4 accumulated years immediately prior (art. 7)
Documentation
- Registration forms signed before a magistrate/judge, birth and marriage certificates
6Naturalization
Naturalization
Requirements
- Non-Commonwealth: continuous residence for the 12 months immediately prior + aggregate periods of not less than 5 years within the previous 7 years (art. 9)
- Publication of an announcement by the applicant in two newspapers
- Investors: investment ≥ USD 500,000 and continuous residence ≥ 2 prior years (art. 9(3))
Documentation
- Naturalization form + announcement in two newspapers
- Proof of investment/residence
7Renunciation, resumption and certificate of doubt
Renunciation, resumption and certificate of doubt
Requirements
- Renunciation (art. 14.1), resurgence after dissolution of the marriage or abandonment (art. 14.2), and persons who lost citizenship under the previous no-dual-nationality rule (art. 15)
- Minister's certificate where citizenship is in doubt (art. 16)
Documentation
- Declarations on official forms before a judge/magistrate or consulate
- Application by letter to the Secretary for Home Affairs (certificate)
Frequently asked questions about the nationality of Mauritius
How many years of residence does Mauritius require to naturalize?
According to the main pathway of Mauritius (Naturalization), the term is 12 months + 5 of the last 7 years (investors: 2 years). The complete details of requirements and exceptions appear in the fact sheet.
Can the nationality of Mauritius be obtained by marriage?
Yes, through the Registration of minors and foreign spouses pathway (4 years of conjugal life under the same roof in Mauritius immediately before applying (s. 7, Mauritius Citizenship Act)). The complete requirements appear in the fact sheet of that pathway.
What documentation does naturalization in Mauritius require?
The Naturalization pathway requires: Naturalization form + announcement in two newspapers; Proof of investment/residence.
What pathways exist to obtain the nationality of Mauritius?
Mauritius provides 7 pathways: Citizenship by birth, Citizenship by descent, Citizenship by adoption, Registration of Commonwealth citizens, Registration of minors and foreign spouses, Naturalization, Renunciation, resumption and certificate of doubt.
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