Moving to the Maldives: a checklist for your first month

Moving to the Maldives is exciting: turquoise water, a friendly island culture and a unique place to live and work. It also involves a lot of paperwork, some strict deadlines and a very different way of life. This checklist walks you through what to do before you arrive and during your first month, in the order that makes things easiest.

Before you leave home

Documents

• Passport, valid well beyond your planned stay (at least 18 months is sensible for a work move).
• Signed employment contract, with salary, currency, housing, insurance and leave in writing.
• Work permit entry pass, arranged by your employer through the Xpat system. Check that the details match your passport.
• Educational and professional certificates, with attested copies if your employer needs them.
• Marriage and birth certificates if your family will join you, with translations if needed.
• Driving licence and any international driving permit.
• Medical records and prescriptions.

Practical preparation

• Ask your employer about airport pickup, temporary accommodation and your first days.
• Check your phone is unlocked so you can use a local SIM or eSIM.
• Bring a supply of medication with prescriptions, and check that your medicines are permitted.
• Pack for the climate and culture: light, modest clothing for local islands and work, plus swimwear.
• Don't pack prohibited items: alcohol, pork products, pornography, idols for worship or narcotics.
• Arrange money for the first weeks: some US dollars and a card that works abroad.
• Submit IMUGA on the official site, imuga.immigration.gov.mv, within 96 hours before your flight. It's free.

Week 1: the deadlines

Work permit medical

This is your most urgent task. Since 2024, people arriving on a work permit entry pass must have their medical report submitted through the Xpat system within 15 days of arrival, and work permits are only issued after it. Your employer usually books the medical at an authorised hospital or clinic. Do it in your first few days.

Work visa

Your employer then obtains your work visa through the Xpat system, also within a deadline after your arrival. Ask for a copy of your work permit and visa once issued, and note the expiry date. See our work visa guide.

Local SIM card

Get a SIM or eSIM from Dhiraagu or Ooredoo, at the airport or in town; you'll need your passport. A local number helps with banking, deliveries, taxis and staying in touch with your employer. See our SIM guide.

Weeks 1–2: money

Open a bank account

Your employer will need your account details for salary. Bank of Maldives offers an expatriate account; you'll typically need your passport, work permit or visa, and an employer letter confirming your salary. BML says accounts usually open within five working days if documents are in order. If you'll send money home regularly, ask about current remittance limits and consider a USD account. See our banking guide.

Understand your payslip

Income tax is withheld by your employer if your pay exceeds the tax-free band (MVR 720,000 a year, about MVR 60,000 a month). See our guide to income tax for employees.

Weeks 1–3: housing

If your employer provides housing, move in and check the condition. If you're renting privately:

• decide between Malé, Hulhumalé and Villimalé;
• view flats in person and check water, air conditioning, damp and noise;
• negotiate the advance payment, which can be several months' rent;
• sign a written lease, ideally in rufiyaa; and
• pay by bank transfer and record the flat's condition on moving day.

See our guide to renting in Malé and Hulhumalé.

Weeks 2–4: health and insurance

• Confirm your health insurance: what your employer provides, whether it covers outpatient and inpatient care, medical evacuation and family members.
• Find a clinic or doctor for routine care.
• Save emergency numbers: ambulance 102, and your nearest hospital.

Remember that the national scheme, Aasandha, is for Maldivian citizens. See our healthcare guide.

Getting around

• In Malé, most people walk, ride scooters or take taxis, which charge fixed fares within the city.
• Between Malé, the airport and Hulhumalé, buses run over the Sinamalé Bridge, and ferries cross to the airport and Villimalé.
• To other islands, public ferries are cheap but run on limited schedules; speedboats are faster.

Download the RTL app for public transport schedules. See our airport and transport guide.

Family

If your family is joining you, start the dependent visa process once your own work visa is issued, and contact schools early, as places can be limited.

Settling in

• Learn the local customs: modest dress outside resorts, no alcohol on local islands, Ramadan etiquette and Friday closures. See our laws and customs guide.
• Learn a few words of Dhivehi: "Assalaam alaikum" (hello) and "shukuriyya" (thank you) are always appreciated.
• Join expat and community groups online to find housing tips, social events and advice.
• Explore: Hulhumalé's beach, local island day trips, snorkelling and diving.
• Budget carefully: imported goods and rent are expensive, while local food and fish can be affordable.

Costs to plan for in your first month

Even if your employer covers your flight and visa, the first month usually involves some big one-off costs. Budget for:

• Housing advance and deposit, which can be several months' rent if you rent privately;
• Household basics: bedding, kitchen items and a fan or extra appliances if the flat lacks them;
• Bank account minimum deposits;
• SIM card and home internet installation;
• Transport: taxis while you learn your way around, or buying a scooter;
• Insurance top-ups for family members or extra cover; and
• Food: imported groceries are expensive, so shopping at local markets for fish, fruit and vegetables helps.

Your first salary may arrive at the end of the month, or later if your bank account isn't ready in time, so arrive with enough savings to cover the gap.

What to pack

• lightweight, breathable clothing that covers shoulders and knees, for work and local islands;
• smarter clothes for offices, government visits and events;
• swimwear, reef-safe sunscreen, a hat and sunglasses;
• a waterproof phone pouch and dry bag for boat trips;
• plug adaptors (the Maldives commonly uses British-style three-pin sockets, though other types are found);
• a supply of medication and copies of prescriptions; and
• copies of all important documents, stored separately from the originals and in the cloud.

Your first-month checklist

1. IMUGA submitted before your flight.
2. Work permit medical completed and submitted within 15 days.
3. Copy of your work permit and visa received; expiry dates noted.
4. Local SIM or eSIM set up.
5. Bank account opened; salary details given to your employer.
6. Housing arranged, with a written lease and moving-in photos.
7. Health insurance confirmed; clinic and emergency numbers saved.
8. RTL app downloaded; getting around sorted.
9. Dependent visa and schooling started, if your family is coming.
10. Reminders set for permit, visa, medical and passport renewals.

Give yourself time

The first few weeks can feel slow: paperwork takes time, the heat takes getting used to, and island life runs at its own pace. Most expats say things fall into place after the first month, once the visa, bank account and housing are sorted. Be patient, ask colleagues for help, and take time to enjoy the sea.

Keep this guide handy

Rules on visas, medicals, banking and fees change from time to time. Each of the guides linked above lists its official sources and the date it was last reviewed. Check them, and your employer, for the latest requirements.