VAREMONT INSIGHTS
How to Choose the Right Structure in 2026
How to Choose the Right Structure in 2026
Updated September 2026
Domestic Company, GBC or Authorised Company: the labels describe different business realities
Mauritius offers more than one corporate framework, and the right choice depends on where the business operates, where it is managed, where its owners are based, whether it needs treaty access or regulated activities, and whether the founder intends to live and work in Mauritius.
A Domestic Company, a company holding a Global Business Licence and an Authorised Company are not simply three price points for the same product. They have different governance, regulatory, management and tax-residence characteristics. Choosing between them should begin with the business facts.
Quick answer
Domestic Company — generally suited to business whose main operations are carried on in Mauritius. GBC — a Mauritius-resident global business structure for international activities, regulated by the FSC and administered by a Management Company. Authorised Company — intended for business principally outside Mauritius with central management and control outside Mauritius; it is not treated as Mauritius tax resident.
Comparison at a glance
| Feature | Domestic Company | GBC | Authorised Company |
| Primary orientation | Mauritius operations | International business from Mauritius | International business managed outside Mauritius |
| Regulator / status | Companies Act / CBRD | Companies Act + FSC Global Business Licence | Companies Act + FSC authorisation |
| Resident directors | At least 1 | At least 2 | Director need not be resident |
| Management Company | Not inherently required | Required | Required |
| Mauritius tax residence | Generally resident subject to tax law | Mauritius-resident structure | Not considered Mauritius tax resident |
| Principal bank account | Commercially appropriate account | Principal bank account maintained in Mauritius | Depends on structure and banking acceptance |
What is a Mauritius Domestic Company?
The CBRD describes a Domestic Company as a company incorporated under the Companies Act 2001 with its main business operations carried in Mauritius. It is the natural starting point for many local trading, service, property, employment and operating businesses.
The current incorporation framework requires at least one shareholder and at least one resident director. Foreign shareholders can participate, but a foreign owner who intends to work in Mauritius must separately consider immigration status. Regulated sectors may require additional approvals.
What is a Global Business Company?
A GBC is a Mauritius company holding a Global Business Licence from the Financial Services Commission. It is designed for international business conducted from Mauritius and is a Mauritius-resident structure. The current CBRD framework requires at least two resident directors, administration by a Management Company and maintenance of the principal bank account in Mauritius.
A GBC should not be chosen merely because the business has overseas customers. The substance, management, activity, tax residence, treaty position, licensing needs and cost of maintaining the structure should justify the regime.
What is an Authorised Company?
An Authorised Company is incorporated under the Companies Act but operates under the specific authorisation framework in the Financial Services Act. Its business is conducted principally outside Mauritius and its central management and control is outside Mauritius. Under the current framework it is not considered tax resident in Mauritius.
An Authorised Company must at all times have a registered agent in Mauritius that is a Management Company. It can be useful for certain international activities, but it is not a substitute for a Mauritius-resident company where treaty access, local management or a Mauritius operating presence is required.
Tax: why the headline rate is not enough
Mauritius corporate tax planning should not begin with a marketing claim about an “effective rate”. The MRA provides partial exemptions for specified categories of income subject to statutory conditions, including substance requirements where applicable. Whether an exemption is available depends on the income and facts, not simply the company label.
An Authorised Company is fundamentally different because it is not treated as Mauritius tax resident under the current framework. That may affect treaty access and the way the structure is treated in other jurisdictions. Cross-border tax advice should therefore be obtained before choosing the entity.
Regulatory and annual-cost differences
A Domestic Company normally has the ordinary costs of registered office, accounting, tax and company compliance, plus any sector-specific licensing. A GBC and an Authorised Company involve FSC oversight and a licensed Management Company, with corresponding regulatory and administration fees.
For the 2026/27 fee cycle, the FSC’s current codified list shows a fixed annual fee of USD 2,600 for a Global Business Licence and USD 1,400 for an Authorised Company, in addition to other applicable registration, Management Company and professional costs. Fees can change and should be reconfirmed before implementation.
Which structure suits which situation?
| Scenario | Structure to assess first | Why |
| Founder relocating to Mauritius to operate a local consultancy or trading business | Domestic Company | Local operations and potential Investor OP alignment. |
| International group establishing a substantive Mauritius hub | GBC or Domestic Company depending on facts | Management, substance, markets, tax and licensing determine the route. |
| International investment/holding activity genuinely managed from Mauritius | GBC | Mauritius-resident global business framework may fit, subject to substance and tax analysis. |
| International activity principally outside Mauritius and managed outside Mauritius | Authorised Company | Framework is designed around foreign central management and control. |
| Regulated financial-services activity | GBC plus relevant licence/approval | Separate FSC licensing may be required for the activity. |
Can a GBC access Mauritius tax treaties?
A GBC is a Mauritius-resident structure, but treaty entitlement is not automatic merely because a licence exists. Tax residence, beneficial ownership, substance, the relevant treaty and anti-abuse provisions all need to be considered. The commercial rationale for Mauritius should stand independently of a treaty claim
Can an Authorised Company do business in Mauritius?
The Authorised Company regime is built around business conducted principally outside Mauritius and central management and control outside Mauritius. It is therefore generally unsuitable as the default vehicle for a founder who intends to relocate and run the business locally. Restricted activities and the precise operating model should be checked before using the structure.
What about banking?
Banking follows the substance of the structure. A Domestic Company should be able to explain its Mauritius operations. A GBC is expected under current CBRD guidance to maintain its principal bank account in Mauritius. An Authorised Company must explain an international activity managed outside Mauritius. In all cases, account approval remains subject to bank due diligence.
Common structuring mistakes
- Choosing a GBC simply because clients are overseas.
- Using an Authorised Company while intending to manage the business from Mauritius.
- Assuming a Domestic Company automatically gives the foreign owner residence or work rights.
- Selecting a structure for a tax headline without analysing source, residence and substance.
- Ignoring Management Company and FSC costs.
- Treating treaty access as automatic.
- Incorporating before checking whether the activity is regulated.
- Building the company first and trying to force banking and immigration around it afterwards.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main difference between a Domestic Company and a GBC?
A Domestic Company is generally oriented towards operations in Mauritius. A GBC is an FSC-regulated Mauritius-resident structure for global business and carries additional governance, administration and substance considerations.
Is a GBC an offshore company?
It is part of Mauritius’s Global Business framework, but it is a Mauritius-resident regulated company rather than a simple non-resident shell.
Is an Authorised Company tax resident in Mauritius?
Under the current framework, no. Its central management and control is outside Mauritius and it is not considered Mauritius tax resident.
Does a GBC need two resident directors?
The current CBRD framework states that a GBC must have at least two resident directors
Does an Authorised Company need a Management Company?
Yes. It must at all times have a registered agent in Mauritius that is a licensed Management Company.
Which company is cheapest?
Cost should not determine the structure. Regulatory fees and administration differ, but the entity must first fit the actual business, management and tax position.
Can a foreigner own all three types?
Foreign ownership can be possible, subject to the applicable company, regulatory and beneficial-ownership requirements. The activity and ownership profile must still be checked.
Which structure should I use to obtain an Investor Occupation Permit?
An Investor OP should be coordinated with an operating Mauritius business. The correct company structure depends on the real activity; do not assume a GBC or Authorised Company is appropriate merely because the owner is foreign.
Choose the structure from the facts
Start with five questions: Where will the company trade? Where will its directors actually make decisions? Where will the owner live and work? What income will the company earn? Does the activity require regulation? Once those answers are clear, the company type becomes much easier to assess.
VAREMONT PERSPECTIVE
A company structure should describe the business you genuinely intend to run. If the structure only works when the facts are ignored, it is the wrong structure.
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Regulatory & professional disclaimer
This article provides general information only and does not constitute tax, legal, investment, financial, banking or immigration advice. Requirements can change through legislation, regulations, administrative guidance and institutional policy. Current requirements should be confirmed before acting, and appropriate professional advice should be obtained for the relevant circumstances and jurisdictions.