Mauritius

Mauritius is an Indian Ocean island nation of about 1.25 million people (World Bank, 2024) that has quietly become one of the most livable destinations in Africa for American expats. It has been ranked the most peaceful country in Africa for 18 consecutive years by the Global Peace Index (26th globally in 2025, score 1.586, per the Institute for Economics and Peace), and its cost of living runs 44.7% below the United States with rents 71.4% lower (Numbeo, July 2026) — a single person's monthly costs excluding rent average about $595, and a one-bedroom in a city centre rents for roughly $430. English is the official language of government, courts, and schools, though Mauritian Creole (90% of home speakers, 2022 census) and French dominate daily life. The immigration picture is unusually welcoming. The free Premium Travel Visa (launched October 2020) lets remote workers and retirees stay up to a year, renewable, on proof of $1,500/month foreign income. Longer-term routes include a 10-year Retired Residence Permit (age 50+, $1,500/month transferred to a local bank), a 10-year Investor Occupation Permit ($50,000 investment), a Self-Employed permit ($35,000), and residency through purchase of approved-scheme property above $375,000 (EDB Mauritius / Passport and Immigration Office, 2025). Healthcare is two-tier: free public care covers all legal residents and a strong private sector (C-Care Darné, C-Care Wellkin) serves most expats, with insurance at just $45–90/month — though complex cases can require evacuation to Réunion, South Africa, or India. Expats cluster in Grand Baie in the north — the most cosmopolitan hub, with French, British, South African, and a growing number of North American residents — and in Tamarin/Black River on the west coast. Caveats are real: the US State Department raised Mauritius to Level 2 (Exercise Increased Caution) on December 8, 2025 over rising opportunistic crime, the island is 20+ hours of travel from the US with no direct flights, and the American community remains small relative to French and South African contingents.