Opening a Bank Account in Mauritius

Opening a Bank Account in Mauritius

Mauritius is an international financial centre with a developed banking system and favourable conditions for international business and investments. Depending on the bank, foreign clients can open accounts in foreign currencies and use international payment services.

Since 2016, COREDO has been assisting clients with opening bank accounts in Mauritius, providing full support for both individuals and companies.

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Cost of the service
from EUR 700

Banking System of Mauritius

Bank of Mauritius

Prudential supervision of banks is carried out by the Bank of Mauritius (BoM) under the Banking Act 2004; the Financial Services Commission (FSC) regulates the non-banking sector, including GBCs.

FATF standards

The Bank of Mauritius supervises banks’ AML/CFT compliance; the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) receives and analyses suspicious transaction reports. Mauritius is a member of ESAAMLG and adheres to the 40 FATF Recommendations.

Deposit insurance

Since 14 June 2024 the Mauritius Deposit Insurance Scheme has covered deposits of Mauritius-resident individuals up to MUR 300,000 per depositor at each participating bank. Deposits of non-residents and of companies, including GBCs, are not covered.

International payments

Depending on the bank, foreign clients can use foreign-currency accounts and international payment services.

Types of Bank Accounts

Various types of accounts are available in Mauritius banks depending on the client’s needs:

A corporate bank account

is intended for legal entities, including local companies and Global Business Companies (GBC), and allows settlement operations, international payments, and cash flow management.

A payment institution account (PI account)

is an alternative for companies that need access to payment services without full banking facilities.

A personal bank account

is provided to individuals for managing personal finances, savings, and investments, including in multi-currency mode.

A multi-currency account

Accounts are held in Mauritian rupees (MUR) and, depending on the bank, in foreign currencies; MCB, for example, offers US dollars, euros, pounds sterling and other currencies.

Client Requirements

Mauritius maintains strict standards in the area of anti-money laundering and combating the financing of terrorism. The principal legislative act is the Financial Intelligence and Anti-Money Laundering Act 2002 (FIAMLA), which entered into force on 10 June 2002. Additional regulations include the Financial Intelligence and Anti-Money Laundering Regulations 2018 (FIAMLR), the Financial Crimes Commission Act 2023, and the United Nations (Financial Prohibitions, Arms Embargo and Travel Ban) Sanctions Act 2019. Mauritius is a member of the Eastern and Southern Africa Anti-Money Laundering Group (ESAAMLG) and adheres to the 40 FATF Recommendations.

AML/CFT compliance of banks is supervised by the Bank of Mauritius; the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) of Mauritius is the central agency for requesting, receiving, analysing, and disseminating financial information on suspicious transactions.

Banks in Mauritius are required to identify clients and ultimate beneficial owners (UBO) before establishing business relationships. As part of KYC (Know Your Customer) procedures, checks are conducted against sanctions databases, screening for Politically Exposed Person (PEP) status, and verification of the source of funds and wealth. An ultimate beneficial owner is the natural person who ultimately holds a controlling ownership interest in the company, or who otherwise controls it, or, failing that, its senior managing official.

Non-residents may apply for accounts, including from abroad where the bank accepts such applications, subject to completion of the full KYC procedure and submission of properly certified documents.

Account Opening Process and Timeframes

The procedure for opening a bank account in Mauritius with COREDO support includes the following stages:

Preliminary client analysis (Client Analysis).

COREDO specialists assess the client’s profile, analyse the business structure, and determine the optimal bank and account type taking into account the specific nature of the business.

01

Document preparation.

A complete set of documents is compiled in accordance with the requirements of the selected bank, Bank of Mauritius regulations, and FIAMLA provisions.

02

Application submission.

Documents are submitted to the bank; if necessary, a meeting between the client and bank representatives is arranged (a remote procedure is possible where the bank offers it).

03

Compliance review.

The bank conducts internal KYC/AML procedures, including document verification, sanctions list checks, and PEP screening.

04

Account opening.

Upon successful completion of the review, the account is activated and the client receives account details and access to online banking.

05

Verification and account opening timeframes depend on the selected bank, the complexity of the client’s corporate structure, and the completeness of submitted documents.

COREDO Service Fees

Legal Entities

Stage Fee
Stage 1 — Client Analysis (preliminary screening) EUR 300 + VAT
Stage 2 — Bank corporate account EUR 2,000 + VAT
Stage 2 — Payment institution account EUR 1,500 + VAT
Non-refundable deposit (Stage 2) EUR 1,000
Total from EUR 1,800 to EUR 2,300 + VAT

Individuals

Stage Fee
Stage 1 — Client Analysis (preliminary screening) EUR 200 + VAT
Stage 2 — Bank account EUR 1,000 + VAT
Stage 2 — Payment institution account EUR 500 + VAT
Non-refundable deposit (Stage 2) EUR 400
Total from EUR 700 to EUR 1,200 + VAT

The fee includes full support throughout the process, from preliminary analysis to receiving account details. A non-refundable deposit — EUR 1,000 for legal entities and EUR 400 for individuals — is required upon commencement of Stage 2.

Required Documents

To open a corporate bank account in Mauritius, the following documents are typically required: a Certificate of Incorporation, incorporation documents (articles of association), a Board Resolution authorising the opening of the account. The list also typically includes identity documents (passports) of directors, beneficial owners, and authorised signatories. Other typical documents include proof of residential address for each individual (a bank statement or utility bill issued no earlier than three months prior), a bank reference letter. The list also typically includes ownership structure information indicating ultimate beneficial owners (UBO) who hold a controlling ownership interest, a business plan describing the planned activities, and documents confirming the source of funds.

For individuals, the standard set includes: a valid international passport, proof of residential address (a bank statement, utility bill, or government document issued no more than three months prior). The standard set also includes a bank reference letter, documents on the origin of funds (income certificate, tax declaration), and a completed bank application form.

The specific list of documents may vary depending on the bank, account type, and client profile. For applications from abroad, the Bank of Mauritius guideline provides for passport copies certified as true copies by a lawyer, accountant or other professional.

Advantages of Working with COREDO

COREDO provides clients with a number of significant advantages when opening a bank account in Mauritius. Professional experience since 2016 enables effective interaction with Mauritian banks and minimises the risk of rejection. COREDO specialists ensure full support at every stage — from initial analysis to obtaining access to the account. Each stage has its own fee set in advance; bank and payment institution fees are not included, and the final price may vary with the complexity of the case. An individual approach to each client allows selection of the optimal bank and account type, taking into account the specifics of the business, corporate structure, and intended use of the account.

Mauritius, as a recognised international financial centre with a network of double taxation agreements and a favourable regulatory environment, is of particular interest to companies conducting operations in the African and Asian regions.

Our Experts

The COREDO team has been operating since 2016 and supports clients in opening accounts with banks and payment institutions.

Nikita Veremeev
Nikita Veremeev
Founder & NED of COREDO. Founded the company in 2016 and personally oversees the strategic development of the business across dozens of jurisdictions.
Pavel Kos
Pavel Kos
Head of Legal. Has been with the COREDO team since June 2017, responsible for legal support of corporate projects and company registration.
Alena Mach
Alena Mach
Executive Director
Daniil Saprykin
Daniil Saprykin
Head of Customer Success
Annet Abdurzakova
Annet Abdurzakova
Senior Customer Success Manager

Frequently Asked Questions

Can non-residents open a bank account in Mauritius?

Yes, non-residents, including owners of Global Business Companies (GBC), can apply to banks in Mauritius. Whether an account can be opened remotely, without a personal visit, depends on the bank. The Bank of Mauritius requires identity checks for such applications to be at least as robust as face-to-face ones. It is necessary to complete the full KYC procedure and provide properly certified documents. COREDO supports the entire process from document preparation to account activation.

What currencies are available for bank accounts in Mauritius?

The main local currency is the Mauritian rupee (MUR); accounts in US dollars, euros, pounds sterling, and other currencies are also available depending on the specific bank. MCB, for example, offers foreign-currency accounts in these three currencies, Australian dollars and South African rand.

How long does it take to open an account in Mauritius?

The timeframe is set by the selected bank. It depends on the complexity of the client’s corporate structure, the completeness of submitted documents, and the internal procedures of the selected bank. COREDO helps minimise timeframes through high-quality preliminary preparation.

Which regulator oversees banking activities in Mauritius?

Prudential supervision of the banking sector is carried out by the Bank of Mauritius (BoM) under the Bank of Mauritius Act 2004 and the Banking Act 2004. AML/CFT compliance of banks is also supervised by the Bank of Mauritius; the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) receives and analyses suspicious transaction reports. The non-banking financial sector, including GBC, is regulated by the Financial Services Commission (FSC).

Does Mauritius have a deposit insurance scheme?

Yes, since 14 June 2024 Mauritius has operated the Mauritius Deposit Insurance Scheme, established under the Mauritius Deposit Insurance Scheme Act 2019. The scheme is managed by Mauritius Deposit Insurance Corporation Ltd (MDIC) — a subsidiary of the Bank of Mauritius. The scheme covers deposits of Mauritius-resident individuals up to MUR 300,000 per depositor at each participating bank; deposits of non-residents and of companies are not covered.

Submit Application

For an individual consultation on opening a bank account in Mauritius, contact COREDO specialists. We will analyse your profile and propose the optimal solution.

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