Work Permit in Maldives
Why is a Work Permit Needed?
A work permit is a crucial document that secures you to work in a foreign country.
A work permit Maldives sanctions your right to legally stay and work here, avoiding
any trouble at the time of migration. In addition, a valid Maldives work permit visa
status facilitates employment in this country.
About the Maldives Job Market
The Maldives is most famous for its tourism and thus offers many employment
opportunities in the hospitality industry. The tourism industry accounts for 28% of the
GDP and more than 60% of forex receipts. The other principal contributors to its
economy are fishing and shipping.
Let us look at key information about the Maldivian job market.
Number of Expats in Cambodia: 178,156 (Figures are subject to change)
Expat Job Websites: Job-maldives.com, Carrer-Maldives.com, jobsearch.mv
Popular Industries for Expats: Hospitality, F&B, Sales Marketing, Teaching,
Banking, Shipping, and Construction.
Types of Maldives Work Visa Available
To hire foreign employees in the Maldives, you need an Employment Approval (EA)
from the Permits and Foreign Employment Division (PFED) of Maldives Immigration.
The EA is a written statement that grants permission for foreigners to work in the
Maldives. The Maldives grants a 30-day tourist visa to visitors of all nationalities, but
it does not validate the right to work in the country. The online work permit Maldives
is made available under two categories:
Work Visa: This is the Maldives work visa that allows a foreigner to stay here for
employment purposes. The individual should possess a valid work permit issued by
the Ministry of Economic Development.
Business Visa: This visa is issued to a foreign national for business or work
approved by a Government authority. The person’s purpose of visit, along with a
letter from an overseas company stating the individual’s competency, is required.
This multiple-entry visa is valid for up to 90 days.
Requirements for a Maldives Work Visa by Employers
Maldives Immigration grants the Maldives Work Visa based on Employment
Approval issued by PPED. An employer needs to apply for the EA for their
employee. The process consists of 3 stages: Online Preliminary Check, Verification,
and Approval. Know the categories under which this EA is issued:
Commercial Category: EA is requested by companies to employ foreigners for
commercial purposes. It includes both professional and non-professional
occupations. Most companies hiring foreign employees fall under this category.
Government Category: This EA is requested by government authorities or
government-shared companies. Applying for this category requires a Quota.
Domestic Category: This EA is requested by individuals for the purpose of
domestic work. It comes under the non-professional category occupations like
domestic servant/househelp, attendant, driver, etc.
Check the list of other documents required for a Maldives work visa:
● Employee’s passport Biodata (valid for more than one year)
● Passport size photo
● Letter of appointment stating all details of employer, employee and the
employment
● Relevant educational/professional certifications of the employee
● Payment of Maldives work visa fee
Requirements for a Maldives Work Visa by Employees
An employee must obtain their work permit within 15 days from their arrival date into
the country. This pre-period time is to seek the appropriate Employment Approval
that grants official permission to work in the Maldives. The following documents are
required to apply for an online work permit Maldives:
● A machine-readable zone (MRZ) Passport Bio-data page copy (Valid for one
year)
● A valid Employment Approval not exceeding 90 days from date of arrival
● Disembarkation/Embarkation Card approved by Maldives Immigration
● A medical report issued from a Hospital/Clinic authorized by a relevant
government authority
● Yellow Fever Vaccine Certificate (If applicable)
● Passport
● Passport size photo
For EA under the domestic category, additional documents like medical and police
reports acquired from the home country, a letter from the owner of the residence,
recognized medical certificates, and a driver’s license copy are required.
Work Permit Maldives Application Process
An employer begins the process of a Maldives work visa by applying for their
employee’s EA.
● Fill the work visa application form Maldives for your employee online via
https://workpermit.egov.mv
● Submit all the required documents mentioned above for the EA.
● Once approved, provide a copy of the Employment Approval.
● Pay the Maldives work visa fees
● Submit the application within 15 days of the employee’s arrival
● Submit the medical health report
● Work visa submission receipt
Cost of Maldives Work Visa
Maldives visa on arrival for all tourists is free of cost. However, a Maldives work visa
fee has to be paid by the employer for their foreign employee. This fee has to be
paid for a minimum of 3 months from the date of submission of the application.
Maldives work permit visa cost: $3.25* (MVR 50)
Maldives business visa cost: $48.5* (MVR 750)
*The Maldives government websites have mentioned the prices in Maldivian Rufiyaa.
However, these prices can vary depending on the fluctuating currency rates.
Timeframe for Maldives Work Visa Application
Since the Maldives provides a visa on arrival for all visitors, processing takes a few
hours. But the Maldives work visa processing time depends on getting the EA. The
processing is done within 48 hours of submission of the Maldives work visa
application form. Therefore, the work visa process will take three working days, and
the applicant is informed when the passport is ready for collection.
How Does Multiplier Help With Work Permit?
Multiplier is a Global EOR Solution with experience in providing and managing an
HR suite. With local entities in over 150 countries, our team of experts can handle
the process of onboarding and managing employees for global business
organizations.
Instead of relying on a Maldives work permit agent, you can request a work permit
via our SaaS-based solution. Our experienced team will offer a one-stop solution in
this process by taking care of all documentation. Thus, you will always be kept in the
loop at every step of development in acquiring the work permit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I work in the Maldives on a tourist visa?
No. Once a tourist arrives, a visitor is not permitted to engage in any form of
business, profession, occupation, or paid employment while in the Maldives.
Do Indians require a visa to work in the Maldives?
Yes, a Maldives work visa for Indians is required to work in the Maldives. Although
the Maldives offers a 30-day visa on arrival to all nationalities, a separate work
permit Maldives is necessary for employment.
What is the process of extending my stay in the Maldives?
You can extend your visa on arrival by applying to the Maldives Immigration before
your current visa expires. You must fill the visa extension form and pay the fees. You
must also prove your financial status that covers your extended stay.
How to get a Residence Visa in the Maldives?
To reside in the Maldives, you need to get a valid Maldives Resident Visa. This visa
is given to people having an Employment Approval (EA) issued by the Ministry of
Human Resources Youth & Sports. So a valid EA is a must.
