Complete Guide to Starting a Business in Mauritius

Want to register your company in Mauritius? This guide walks you through everything - the real story, not the government website version.

Step 1: Choose Your Business Structure
Step 2: Reserve Your Company Name
Step 3: Prepare Your Documents
Step 4: Submit Your Application
Step 5: Get Your BRC

Step 1: Choose Your Business Structure {#step-1}

First decision: What type of company do you need?

For Local Mauritians:

Domestic Company (Private Ltd) - This is what 90% of local businesses use.

Best for: Most local businesses
Cost: Rs 5,000-7,000 total
Timeline: 7-14 working days
Minimum capital: No minimum (despite what people say)

Sole Proprietor (BRN only) - Simplest option

Best for: Very small businesses, testing an idea
Cost: Rs 2,000-3,000
Timeline: 3-5 days
Downside: You're personally liable for everything

Partnership - Two or more people

Best for: Co-founders with equal commitment
Cost: Rs 6,000-8,000
Important: Get a partnership agreement written (don't skip this!)

What You DON'T Need:

❌ GBL Company - This is for offshore/international businesses. Unless you're working with foreign clients and need specific tax structures, stick with Domestic Company.

Step 2: Reserve Your Company Name {#step-2}

The Rules:

Can't be too similar to existing companies
Can't include restricted words (Royal, Government, Bank, etc.) without permission
Must end with "Ltd", "Limited", or "Co. Ltd"

Pro Tips:

Check availability first - Search CBRD database before getting attached to a name
Have 3 options ready - Your first choice might be taken
Keep it simple - Fancy names often get rejected
Avoid Creole/French only - English or bilingual works better

Real Example:

✅ GOOD: "Mauritius Trading Co. Ltd"
❌ BAD: "The Royal Mauritius Financial Services Group Ltd" (too many restricted words)

Step 3: Prepare Your Documents {#step-3}

What You Need:

For all directors and shareholders:

National ID card (Mauritians) or Passport (foreigners)
Proof of address (utility bill, bank statement - less than 3 months old)
Email address (you'll get official documents here)
Phone number

For the company:

Registered office address (can be your home address)
Company constitution (we can help with this)
Business activity description

Common Questions:

Q: Do I need to notarize documents?
A: Only if you're a foreigner. Mauritians just need clear scanned copies.

Q: Can I use my home address?
A: Yes! No need to rent an office initially.

Q: Do I need a company secretary?
A: Not for Domestic Companies (only for GBLs).

Step 4: Submit Your Application {#step-4}

Online via CBRIS (Recommended):

Go to cbrd.intnet.mu
Create an account
Fill Form 1 (Company Registration)
Fill Form 7 (Directors' Consent)
Fill Form 9 (Shareholders' Consent)
Upload documents
Pay online

Cost: Free for basic registration

Time to complete forms: 1-2 hours (if you have all documents ready)

The Forms Aren't as Scary as They Look:

Form 1: Basic company info (name, address, share capital)
Form 7: Directors saying "yes, I agree to be a director"
Form 9: Shareholders saying "yes, I agree to own shares"

Need Help?

We help with the entire CBRIS process for Rs 5,000. You stay in control, we guide you through every step.

Get CBRIS Help

Step 5: Get Your BRC {#step-5}

What Happens After Submission:

CBRD reviews (3-7 days usually)
You might get queries (answer within 5 days or start over)
Certificate of Incorporation issued (emailed to you)
Business Registration Card (BRC) issued (also emailed)

Your BRC Includes:

Company name
Business Registration Number (BRN)
Date of incorporation
Registered office address
Business activity

Keep it safe! You'll need it for opening bank accounts, MRA registration, etc.

What's Next After Getting Your BRC?

Immediate Next Steps:

Register with MRA (Mauritius Revenue Authority)
- Get your TAN (Tax Account Number)
- Register for VAT if needed (over Rs 6M annual turnover)
Open a business bank account
- MCB, SBM, or Absa are popular choices
- Brings BRC, directors' IDs, company constitution
Get a company stamp
- Any printing shop can make one
- Cost: Rs 500-1,000
Set up bookkeeping
- Even if it's just Excel initially
- Or hire an accountant (Rs 5,000-10,000/month for small businesses)

Real Costs Breakdown

Let's be honest about what you'll actually pay:

Item	Cost
Company registration (CBRD)	Rs 0 (Free!)
Professional help (optional but recommended)	Rs 5,000
Company stamp	Rs 500-1,000
Bank account opening (initial deposit)	Rs 5,000-10,000
Accountant (first month)	Rs 5,000-8,000
Total to get started properly	Rs 15,500-24,000

Timeline: How Long Does It REALLY Take?

Optimistic scenario: 7 days
Realistic scenario: 10-14 days
If you hit problems: 3-4 weeks

Why the variation?

CBRD processing speed varies
If you get queries, you need to respond
Document issues cause delays
Time of year matters (end of year is slower)

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Wrong business activity code

Choose carefully - changing it later is a hassle.

2. Incomplete addresses

"Quatre Bornes" is not enough. Need full street address.

3. Mismatched signatures

Sign exactly as on your ID.

4. Forgetting about MRA

CBRD registration doesn't include tax registration. You need to do that separately.

5. Not having a business plan

Banks won't open an account without understanding your business.

FAQ

How much share capital do I need?

Short answer: Rs 100 is fine for most businesses.

Long answer: There's no legal minimum for Domestic Companies. Put what makes sense. Rs 100 shares work fine. Planning to raise money later? Consider a higher initial capital structure.

Can I change my mind after registering?

Yes, but changes cost money and time:

Change business activity: Rs 100 + time
Change directors: Rs 100 + time
Change address: Rs 100 + time

Better to get it right first time.

Do I need a lawyer?

For Domestic Company: No. The process is designed for you to do yourself.

For GBL or complex structures: Yes, absolutely.

What if my application is rejected?

Common reasons:

Name already taken/too similar
Incomplete documents
Wrong document format

Solution: Fix the issue and resubmit. No penalty, just more time lost.

Ready to Start?

Option 1: DIY

Use this guide and do it yourself. Totally possible!

Option 2: Guided Support (Rs 5,000)

We guide you through the entire CBRIS process via video calls. You submit everything yourself (so you learn), but we're there for every step.

✅ Initial consultation (30-45 min)
✅ Document checklist and review
✅ Form completion help (screen sharing)
✅ Pre-submission check
✅ Follow-up support until BRC received

Get Started with Guidance

Option 3: Full Service

Need a management company for GBL or complex setup? We'll refer you to licensed partners.

Related Guides

Questions? WhatsApp us: +230 5514 5150

Complete Guide to Starting a Business in Mauritius (2025)