How to get a Maldives work visa: the full process step by step

Tens of thousands of foreign workers keep the Maldives running, in resorts, hospitals, schools, construction sites and offices. If you have been offered a job here, the visa process can seem confusing, partly because most of it happens out of sight, between your employer and the government. This guide explains each stage in order, who is responsible for it, and what you need to do yourself.

The key idea: your employer applies, not you

In the Maldives, work permits and work visas are applied for by the employer through the government's online Xpat system, run under the Ministry of Homeland Security and Technology. There is no way for an individual to apply for a work visa on their own. That has two consequences:

• You depend on your employer to start, and keep up, the process. Choose employers carefully and ask questions.
• Your visa is tied to that employer and that job. Changing jobs usually means a new application.

Stage 1: the employer registers and gets a quota

Before hiring any foreigner, the employer must be registered on the Xpat system and declare the worksite where you will work. They then apply for a foreign worker quota: permission to employ a set number of foreigners in specific job categories. The government may ask the employer to show that no suitable Maldivian is available, for example by advertising the job through the national job centre first.

The quota carries an annual fee paid by the employer. The fee levels that have been widely reported are MVR 2,000 per year for each quota slot and MVR 350 for the work permit, but fees can change, so treat these as indicative.

What you can do: ask your employer whether the quota for your position is already approved. If it is not, the process will take longer.

Stage 2: documents from you

While the quota is being processed, your employer will ask you for documents. Requirements vary by job, but commonly include:

• Passport, with plenty of validity left. Sources differ on the minimum; aim for well over a year to avoid renewal problems.
• Passport-size photographs to the specification your employer gives.
• Educational and professional certificates, sometimes attested or verified, especially for professional roles such as doctors, nurses, teachers and engineers.
• Police clearance certificate from your home country, if requested.
• Signed employment contract.
• CV and experience letters for skilled positions.

Send clear scans, check every name and date against your passport, and keep a copy of everything you send. Mismatched spellings are a common cause of delays.

Stage 3: the work permit entry pass

Once the quota is approved and documents are in order, the employer applies for a work permit entry pass for you. This document is what allows you to enter the Maldives to take up employment. You must present it at immigration when you arrive, so keep a printed copy with your passport and a digital copy on your phone.

Before you fly, check that:

• the name and passport number on the entry pass exactly match your passport;
• the job title and employer are correct; and
• you have completed the IMUGA traveller declaration, which all arriving passengers must submit within 96 hours before their flight (see our guide to IMUGA).

Stage 4: arrival and the 15-day medical

After you arrive, the clock starts. Since January 2024, people arriving on a work permit entry pass must have their work permit medical report submitted through the Xpat system within 15 days of arrival. The medical must be done at a hospital or clinic authorised for work permit medicals, and must include all the tests the Ministry of Health requires. Your employer normally books it.

Since 2024, work permits are only issued or extended once the medical report has been submitted. Medical services for work permits have also been expanded to some island health centres, so you may not need to travel to Malé.

Missing the deadline leads to fines. The regulations have been reported as setting a fine for expired work permit medicals, and the government has penalised employers who fall behind. Make sure the medical happens in your first days.

Stage 5: the work visa and permit card

With the medical submitted, the employer obtains your work visa through the Xpat system. This also has a deadline, generally reported as 15 days from arrival, and late applications attract fines. Once issued, you receive your work permit, which you should keep safe and carry a copy of. Your employer should give you a copy of the approved permit and visa showing the expiry date.

How long does the whole process take?

There is no fixed timeline, because it depends on whether the employer already has a quota, how quickly documents are verified, and seasonal demand. As a rough guide:

• If the quota already exists and your documents are ready, the entry pass can come through in a matter of weeks.
• If a new quota is needed, or certificates need verifying, it can take considerably longer.
• After arrival, plan to complete the medical within your first week, well inside the 15-day limit.

How long is a work permit valid?

Validity depends on the job category. Professionals and managers have typically been issued permits for one to three years, while other categories are usually issued for one year and renewed. Renewals also go through the Xpat system and require an up-to-date medical. See our guide to renewing a work permit.

Your rights as a foreign worker

Foreign employees are protected by the Maldives Employment Act just as Maldivians are. You are entitled to a written employment agreement, limits on working hours with paid overtime, annual and sick leave, and payment of your wages in full and on time. Some points to know:

• Your passport is yours. An employer keeping your passport against your will is not an acceptable practice; if you have concerns, contact the Labour Relations Authority.
• Get your contract in writing before you travel, and compare it with what you were promised.
• Keep your own copies of your contract, permit and visa.
• Know who to call. The Labour Relations Authority handles employment complaints, and Maldives Immigration handles visa questions.

Warning signs of a bad offer

• You are asked to pay large "visa fees" or "agent fees" up front. The quota and permit fees are the employer's responsibility under the regulations.
• You are told to come on a tourist visa and "sort out the work visa later".
• The company name on your contract differs from the one on your entry pass.
• You cannot find the employer registered on the government business registry.

Working on a tourist visa is prohibited and can lead to deportation. If an offer feels wrong, ask for documents and check before you travel.

Common reasons for delays

• No quota yet. If the employer still has to apply for a quota, everything else waits.
• Unverified certificates. Professional roles often need degrees and licences checked, which can take weeks.
• Spelling differences between your passport, certificates and contract.
• Employer arrears. The government has suspended new permits for employers with unpaid fees and fines, so a problem with your employer's account can hold up your application.
• Late medicals after arrival, which delay the work visa and cause fines.

What to carry on arrival day

• passport, with your work permit entry pass printed and on your phone;
• IMUGA confirmation;
• your employer's contact person and phone number;
• copies of your contract and certificates; and
• any medical records or vaccination certificates you were asked to bring.

If your employer is meeting you at the airport, confirm the arrangements before you fly. Velana International Airport is on its own island, connected to Malé and Hulhumalé by bridge and ferry, and many workplaces are a boat ride away.

Bringing your family

Depending on your job category, you may be able to bring your spouse and children on dependent visas once your own work visa is in place. Our guide to dependent visas explains the requirements.

Quick checklist

1. Signed contract received, with salary, hours and benefits in writing.
2. Documents sent to your employer; copies kept.
3. Work permit entry pass received and checked against your passport.
4. IMUGA declaration submitted within 96 hours of your flight.
5. Medical booked for your first days in the Maldives.
6. Copy of your work visa and permit received, with expiry date noted in your calendar.