Setting up an authorized company in Mauritius is one of the most practical moves a South African or British entrepreneur can make right now. Hold international assets, run a trading operation, structure investments — all at a corporate tax rate as low as 3%. This page covers everything you actually need to know: what it is, what it costs, and how to get one running.

What Is an Authorized Company in Mauritius?

An Authorized Company (AC) is a Mauritius offshore corporate structure regulated by the Financial Services Commission (FSC). It replaced the old Category 2 Global Business Licence back in 2019, when Mauritius overhauled its financial services framework.

Here’s what sets it apart. An Authorized Company can do business both internationally and inside Mauritius. It’s not locked into purely offshore activity. And it comes with 100% foreign ownership — you don’t need a local shareholder to get a seat at the table.

Think of it as the lighter cousin of the Global Business Company (GBC). Less substance required. Faster to set up. And generally lower annual costs. Honestly? For most founders and fund managers who want a clean Mauritius holding or trading entity, this is the right starting point — and most people overcomplicate it.

Key Facts at a Glance

If you need full access to Mauritius’s double taxation agreements — especially the South Africa–Mauritius DTA or the India–Mauritius treaty — a GBC might serve you better. But for most holding, trading, and IP structures, the Authorized Company does exactly what you need it to do.

Is an Authorized Company in Mauritius Right for You?

I’ve walked dozens of South African and British entrepreneurs through this exact decision over the years. And most of them had the same question: “Is this actually worth it for someone like me?” Nine times out of ten, it is. Here’s who it fits well:

• You’re a South African entrepreneur looking to hold foreign assets outside of SARS’s reach — legally, through proper exchange control approval. With the rand doing what the rand does, having a clean offshore structure isn’t paranoid. It’s sensible.
• You run a UK-based business and want a lower-tax entity to hold IP, collect royalties, or invoice international clients. Post-Brexit, Mauritius has become a much more interesting option for British founders who used to rely on EU structures.
• You’re building an investment holding company to hold shares across Africa or Asia — and you want to do it from somewhere stable, well-regulated, and not on any grey lists.
• You want to hold real estate or other assets in Mauritius through a corporate structure rather than in your personal name.
• You’re a fund manager looking for a vehicle — though for larger operations, a GBC often makes more sense.
• You run a trading company buying and selling internationally and want to do it through an entity that isn’t haemorrhaging tax.

And it’s probably not the right fit if treaty access with a specific country is your primary goal. That’s the one area where paying the extra cost for a GBC is genuinely justified.

Tax Benefits of an Authorized Company in Mauritius

The headline rate is 15%. But here’s what most websites gloss over — Mauritius has a partial exemption system that brings the effective rate down to as low as 3% on qualifying income. Dividends, interest, royalties, gains from securities. That’s the number that actually matters.

And then there’s what Mauritius doesn’t have. No capital gains tax. None. If you’re selling shares or assets held through the company, you keep the gain. Compare that to what SARS or HMRC would take — and you start to see why people fly into SSR Airport with very different plans to when they left home.

There’s also no withholding tax on dividends paid to non-resident shareholders. For a South African shareholder used to the layers of tax that come with paying out from a SA company, that’s not a small thing.

Mauritius has signed over 45 double taxation agreements — South Africa, the UK, India, China, France, and most of Africa are all on that list. The Authorized Company has more limited treaty access than a GBC, yes. But the domestic tax position alone is often compelling enough — especially if you’re not trying to claim treaty benefits in a specific jurisdiction.

What You Need to Set One Up

The paperwork sounds scary. It’s not. Here’s what the management company will ask for — and most of it you can pull together in an afternoon:

• Certified copy of passport — all directors and shareholders
• Proof of address — utility bill or bank statement, less than 3 months old
• Bank reference letter or recent bank statement
• CV or professional profile for each director and shareholder
• Source of funds declaration
• Business plan or description of what the company will actually do
• Proposed company name — give them 3 options, saves time if your first choice is taken

If you’re coming from South Africa, you’ll also need to think about the SARB exchange control process for moving funds offshore. Your management company or a good forex advisor can walk you through that separately — it’s not part of the Mauritius incorporation, but it’s something to plan for before the money needs to move.

How to Set Up an Authorized Company in Mauritius — Step by Step

1. Choose a licensed management company. Every Authorized Company must be administered by an FSC-licensed management company based here in Mauritius — usually in Ebene or Port Louis. They’re your registered agent, your registered office, and your compliance partner. Choosing the right one matters more than most people realise. Some are faster than others. Some are better with foreign clients. Ask the right questions upfront.
2. Submit your KYC documents. They’ll run their due diligence checks. If your documents are clean and complete, this usually takes 3–5 business days. The most common delay? Bank statements that are too old, or proof of address that doesn’t match the passport name exactly. Get it right the first time.
3. Name approval and incorporation. The Registrar of Companies — down in Port Louis — processes the name and incorporation. Typically 5–7 working days.
4. FSC licence application. Your management company files the Authorized Company application with the Financial Services Commission. This step takes another 1–2 weeks and is usually where the timeline sits or moves depending on how busy the FSC is.
5. Registered office and director appointment. Your management company provides the registered office address and appoints a local director if you don’t already have one lined up.
6. Bank account opening. Once incorporated, you can open a corporate account with one of the local banks — Mauritius Commercial Bank, AfrAsia, SBM, and others all do this. You can run this in parallel with the FSC process to save time. AfrAsia in particular is well set up for international clients and non-resident directors.
7. Ready to operate. Full process: 2–4 weeks from the day your documents are accepted. Not months. Not a year. A few weeks.

Annual Compliance Requirements

An Authorized Company isn’t something you set up and forget about for five years. You do need to keep it in good standing. But — and I want to be direct about this — the ongoing compliance burden is genuinely light compared to most jurisdictions.

• Audited financial statements — required annually
• Annual return filed with the Registrar of Companies
• Annual FSC filing — confirmation of activities and beneficial ownership
• Board meetings — at least one per year. These can be held remotely, so you don’t need to fly in every January.
• Registered office maintenance — your management company handles this

Your management company handles most of this on your behalf. Annual maintenance typically runs USD 3,000–5,000 per year — covering their fees, audit, filing fees, and the local director. Budget a bit more if you have active transactions that generate more accounting work.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a South African resident own an Authorized Company in Mauritius?

Yes — 100% ownership, no local partner needed. But you will need to work within South African Reserve Bank exchange control regulations when moving funds offshore. Most people do this through their annual R10 million foreign investment allowance, or via formal SARB approval for larger amounts. That’s a separate process from the Mauritius incorporation itself — your management company or a specialist forex advisor can walk you through it. Don’t let that part put you off. It’s well-trodden ground.

Does an Authorized Company in Mauritius pay tax in South Africa?

If the company is tax resident in Mauritius and genuinely managed and controlled from here — not just on paper, but actually — it should not be subject to South African tax. That means a real local director making real decisions, not just a name on a letterhead. South African CFC rules are something to discuss with a cross-border tax advisor before you proceed. Don’t skip that conversation. It matters.

Can I open a bank account for an Authorized Company without living in Mauritius?

Yes. Banks like AfrAsia and MCB do this regularly for non-resident directors. The process is mostly remote — though some banks will ask for a video call or, occasionally, an in-person visit. Your management company can facilitate introductions and knows which banks are currently easiest to work with. Account opening runs roughly 4–8 weeks depending on the bank. Start that process early — don’t wait until the company is fully incorporated.

What’s the difference between an Authorized Company and a GBC in Mauritius?

Both are legitimate Mauritius international business structures. The GBC has stronger treaty access — including the South Africa–Mauritius DTA — but it requires more substance, more directors, and costs noticeably more to run each year. The Authorized Company is faster to set up, cheaper annually, and has lighter compliance requirements. If treaty access isn’t your primary goal, the Authorized Company is almost always the smarter starting point. You can always upgrade to a GBC later if your situation changes.

How long does it take to set up an Authorized Company in Mauritius?

From the point your KYC documents are accepted: 2–4 weeks, typically. The FSC licensing step is usually the bottleneck. Having a reliable management company — one that files properly the first time and chases the FSC when needed — makes a real difference. Some management companies are genuinely faster than others. It’s worth asking about their average turnaround before you commit.

Ready to Get Started?

We connect you with experienced, licensed management companies in Mauritius who handle the entire process — from paperwork to compliance to ongoing administration.

No guesswork. No wasted time. Just a clear path forward.

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