A Work Visa is a permit issued for a foreigner to stay in Maldives for the purpose of employment.
A person traveling to the Maldives for the purpose of employment will be granted 15 days from the date of arrival. To acquire this pre-period, the foreign national should possess a valid Work Permit issued by the Ministry of Economic Development, which does not exceed 90 days from the date of issue. Moreover, the foreign national should provide the same passport on arrival for which the Work Permit was issued.
Re-entry on a Work Permit without obtaining a visa is possible unless the Work Permit remains valid (within 90 days from the date of issue). However, considering the circumstances, the work permit holder may be permitted to exit and enter once before obtaining a visa, provided that the work permit should remain valid.
The consequences for not obtaining a visa within the mentioned period result in penalization under the immigration act 2007, which includes deportation from Maldives for overstaying.
Entry Requirements for Work Visa
1. A machine-readable (MRZ) Passport Bio-data page copy of the applicant (At
least 1 Year validity).
2. A valid Entry Pass not exceeding 90 days from the date of arrival.
3. Traveler should provide the same passport mentioned in the Work Permit.
4. Traveler Declaration, submitted within 96 hours prior to departure from the first port of embarkation. It has to be submitted electronically via IMUGA
portal.
Applying for Work Visa
The following documents are required to apply for Work Visa and the employer or a representative of the employer shall submit the visa application.
1. Passport of the employee.
2. Passport size photo (must be a recent photo).
3. Medical health screening report of the employee issued from a Hospital/Clinic authorized by the relevant government authority, if required.
Note:
• Work Visa holders should ensure that they have a valid work permit when re-
entering the Maldives.
• A Work Permit is an approval issued by the Ministry of Economic
Development for employment in the Maldives.
• A Work Visa is a permission granted by Maldives Immigration that allows
foreigners to live and work in the Maldives after they have acquired a work permit.
Tourist Visa
Tourist visa is granted for all nationalities on arrival to the Maldives. As such, a foreigner travelling to Maldives as a tourist does not require pre-approval for the visa.
However, the person must satisfy the basic entry requirements to get immigration clearance upon arrival.
The basic entry requirements are as follows;
1. A passport or a travel document with Machine Readable Zone (MRZ) with at
least 1 month validity. (Passengers with an extended validity in their passports
are not allowed to enter.)
2. A complete travel itinerary including return journey confirmed tickets, with a
prepaid confirmed hotel booking at a registered hotel, and provide proof of
financial means for sufficient funds to support the stay in Maldives, or hold a
pre-approved visa sponsorship approved by Maldives Immigration.
3. Entry requirements to their onward destinations; for example, the visa and
passport validity.
4. All foreigners arriving in the Maldives must complete and submit the Traveler
declaration form form. The form can be completed up to 96 hours (4 days)
before your arrival in Maldives. Submission of the form is free of charge and must be filled electronically via the IMUGA portal.
Children / minors must have their own passport to enter the Maldives.
Dependent Visa
(Student Visa - Children of professional category can obtain dependent visa for
studies in Maldives)
A dependent visa is issued to immediate family members of expatriate workers (professional categories only) working in the Maldives.
The following documents are required to apply for Dependent Visa.
1. Application for Permit Extension From.
2. A color copy of the passport biodata page of the applicant.
3. Passport size photo (must be a recent photo).
4. Copy of work visa (of the expatriate worker - father, spouse).
5. Documents to prove the relationship with the dependent(s) (marriage
certificate or birth certificate).
6. Medical health screening report of the applicant issued from a Hospital/Clinic
authorized by the relevant government authority (required for both new
applications and extensions).
7. Health Insurance (required for both new applications and extensions)
8. Copy of the last visa page (issued to remain in the Maldives). (if applicable
only).
9. Last visa issued from Maldives (applicable for renewal only).
Note:
• Applications to extend the Dependent visa can be submitted from 3 months to
expiry.
- Our Overseas Reporter Abu Hibah