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Work Permit in Maldives

Why is 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. 

Work Permit in Maldives

Number of Expats:

178,156

Expats Job Websites:

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 taƒmulking care of all documentation. Thus, you will always be kept in the loop at every step of development in acquiring the work permit.

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Frequently Asked Questions

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.

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.

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.

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.

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