Company Categories in Mauritius

Public Company

  • Listed on the Official List of the Stock Exchange of Mauritius.
  • Shares or class of shares admitted to quotation.

Private Company

  • Cannot have more than 50 shareholders.
  • Cannot offer shares or debentures to the public.
  • May restrict the transfer of its shares.
  • Considered small if the turnover of the last preceding period is less than MUR 10 million.
  • Can be a one-person company where the sole shareholder is also the sole director.

Traditional Companies

1. Companies Limited by Shares

  • Shareholders’ liability is limited to the amount unpaid on their shares.

2. Companies Limited by Guarantee

  • Members’ liability is limited to the amount they undertake to contribute in the event of winding up.

3. Unlimited Companies

  • Members have unlimited liability for the company’s debts.

Special Types of Companies

1. Companies Limited by Shares and Guarantee

  • Combines features of both limited-by-shares and limited-by-guarantee companies.

2. Limited Life Companies (LLCs)

  • Designed for a specific duration, automatically dissolved at the end of that period.

Other Company Classifications

1. Holding Company

  • Controls another company through board composition or voting shares.
  • The other company is considered a subsidiary.

2. Foreign Company

  • Incorporated outside Mauritius.
  • Has a place of business or is carrying on business in Mauritius.
  • Registered in Mauritius as a foreign company.

Global Business Companies (GBCs)

  • Any of the above-mentioned companies can hold a Global Business License.
  • Managed by a management company licensed under the Financial Services Development Act (FSD Act).

Management Companies

  • Licensed under the FSD Act.
  • Set up and manage Global Business Companies.

Dormant Companies

  • Declared dormant for periods with no significant accounting transactions.
  • Exempt from auditing accounts.
  • Benefit from reduced license fees.

Key Points

  • Public companies are listed on the Stock Exchange, while private companies have restrictions on the number of shareholders and public offering of shares.
  • Small private companies are defined by having a turnover of less than MUR 10 million.
  • One-person private companies allow the sole shareholder to be the sole director.
  • Holding companies control subsidiaries either through board composition or voting shares.
  • Foreign companies must be registered to do business in Mauritius.
  • Global Business Companies are regulated under the FSD Act and managed by licensed management companies.
  • Dormant companies are exempt from certain regulatory requirements due to inactivity.

This framework ensures a diverse and structured corporate environment in Mauritius, accommodating various business needs and structures.

Understanding the different types of companies is just the start of your journey if you are looking forward to opening your own business, and if you wish to learn more about the step-by-step process your next read could be ‘ Company Formation.’