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

Table of Contents

Step 1: Choose Your Business Structure

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

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:

  1. Check availability first - Search CBRD database before getting attached to a name
  2. Have 3 options ready - Your first choice might be taken
  3. Keep it simple - Fancy names often get rejected
  4. 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

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

Online via CBRIS (Recommended):

  1. Go to cbrd.intnet.mu
  2. Create an account
  3. Fill Form 1 (Company Registration)
  4. Fill Form 7 (Directors' Consent)
  5. Fill Form 9 (Shareholders' Consent)
  6. Upload documents
  7. 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. You stay in control, we guide you through every step.

Get CBRIS Help

Step 5: Get Your BRC

What Happens After Submission:

  1. CBRD reviews (3-7 days usually)
  2. You might get queries (answer within 5 days or start over)
  3. Certificate of Incorporation issued (emailed to you)
  4. 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:

  1. Register with MRA (Mauritius Revenue Authority)
  • Get your TAN (Tax Account Number)
  • Register for VAT if needed (over Rs 6M annual turnover)
  1. Open a business bank account
  • MCB, SBM, or Absa are popular choices
  • Brings BRC, directors' IDs, company constitution
  1. Get a company stamp
  • Any printing shop can make one
  • Cost: Rs 500-1,000
  1. 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.

Questions? WhatsApp us: +230 5514 5150