Insight · October 2026

Foreign worker accommodation in Mauritius: lodging permits

Foreign worker accommodation in Mauritius must be approved before an employer commits to a property or an arrival date. A signed lease does not show that a building may lawfully house Work Permit holders.

Indian Ocean Millenium Partners, also trading as JNP Recruiting Services, is a manpower consultancy that advises employers on accommodation planning and the documents behind it. The employer remains the applicant and stays responsible for the premises.

Last reviewed October 2026. Rules change, so confirm the current requirements with the authorities before you apply.

Garment workers in Mauritius, a sector where many foreign workers live in employer-arranged accommodation

Who needs a lodging permit in Mauritius?

The permit is called the Lodging Accommodation Permit, usually shortened to LAP. Under the Occupational Safety and Health (Employees' Lodging Accommodation) Regulations 2011, an employer may not use a building to house its employees without one. The employer applies to the Occupational Safety and Health Division of the Ministry of Labour and Industrial Relations. After inspection, a committee decides and the Permanent Secretary issues the permit.

For professionals, domestic employees, religious bodies and the sports sector, the February 2026 Work Permit Information Sheet asks for a letter giving the address of the accommodation instead of a LAP. Ask the Work Permit Unit to confirm which group your role falls into. A filing exemption does not settle every requirement for the building.

How long must a LAP be valid when you apply?

Under the February 2026 checklist, an existing LAP must still have at least three months to run on the day the Work Permit application is submitted. If the LAP is still being processed, a letter confirming that the application is under way is accepted instead.

That letter does not allow workers to move into an unapproved building. If the hiring timetable slips, check the LAP expiry date again against the new submission date.

Need workers for your business? Tell us the roles and numbers and we will come back with a plan.

What accommodation standards should employers check?

For employer-provided lodging, inspectors work from the 2011 Regulations. A first walk-through should cover:

Sleeping areas. A separate bed and mattress for each worker, a wardrobe or locker each, and separate areas for men and women.
Water and hygiene. A steady supply of safe, clean water, toilets and showers accessible at all times and cleaned every day, and regular removal of waste.
Kitchen and dining. Enough cooking space and equipment, fridges or freezers, a proper food store and a place to eat.
Building safety. Clear floors and passageways, good ventilation and lighting, fire precautions and protected electrical installations.

This is only a first screen. The Regulations also set minimum bedroom sizes, bed spacing and toilet numbers, so check them before deciding how many beds the building can take.

Can several employers share centralised lodging?

Yes. The Occupational Safety and Health (Centralised Lodging Accommodation) Regulations 2026 were made on 30 June 2026 and came into force the same day. They let several employers rent space in one building. The owner of the building, not the employer, applies for the centralised lodging permit. Building or structurally adapting a property for this use first needs a separate building permit, and that application must include a Building and Land Use Permit (BLUP). The accommodation permit application also needs a BLUP and an occupation certificate, unless already filed for the building permit. Ask the local authority and the Ministry of Labour about the order of approvals before you commit.

What should be checked before signing a lease?

Confirm the route. Find out whether the property needs an employer LAP or a centralised lodging permit, and what evidence the Work Permit Unit will accept.
Check the paperwork. Match the address, permit holder, approved capacity and expiry date to your plans. Collect the owner's authorisation or lease, site and layout plans, health clearance and Fire Certificate needed for a LAP file.
Agree who does what. Record who pays for repairs, obtains approvals and deals with inspectors, and what happens to the lease if an approval is refused or delayed.
Confirm readiness before booking travel. Give every inspection finding an owner and keep proof it was fixed. Recheck the lodging approval and Work Permits before setting arrival dates.

These steps help you plan. They do not replace an inspection and cannot guarantee approval.

How should HR plan for delays and costs?

Allow time for health and fire clearances, inspections and repairs. Missing documents, an expired LAP or open inspection findings are reasons to pause before filing. HR, facilities and payroll should work from one shared approval record. Do not promise a start date based on a landlord's estimate.

Under section 5 of the Private Recruitment Agencies Act 2023, workers may not be charged recruitment fees, and the employer alone bears recruitment costs, including travel to and from Mauritius. Budget accommodation separately. In centralised lodging, regulation 12(2) allows an employer to charge rent only with the worker's consent and within any limit set by law. Before you charge workers anything for accommodation, check it with the Ministry of Labour.

Frequently asked questions

Can a Work Permit application go in while the LAP is pending?

Yes. The February 2026 checklist accepts a letter confirming that the LAP application is under way. Workers still cannot move in until the accommodation is approved.

Does a lease replace a lodging permit in Mauritius?

No. A lease only sets the terms agreed with the owner. The building still needs the permit that applies to it, either an employer LAP or a centralised lodging permit.

Is centralised lodging for workers in force in Mauritius?

Yes. The Regulations were published as Government Notice No. 122 of 2026 and came into force on 30 June 2026.

Official sources

* About this information: the content on this page is based on official sources that were checked in October 2026 and was accurate at that time. Government rules, fees and processing times change, sometimes at short notice. Before relying on any point on this page, confirm it with the Ministry of Labour and Industrial Relations, the Economic Development Board or the Passport and Immigration Office. This page is general information, not legal advice.