Work permit (Entry Pass) and Work e-Visa
Foreign workers need a work permit (employment approval) obtained by the employer through the Xpat Online System, run by the Ministry of Homeland Security, Labour and Technology. New workers enter on an Entry Pass (Work Permit). The employer then applies for a Work e-Visa within 15 days of arrival. Since 23 November 2025, only an approved e-Visa is recognised as a valid work visa.
1 entry rule for Maldives based on recent travel
These apply to people who were recently in certain countries. Sign in and add your trips to see whether any apply to you.
Yellow fever certificate needed after a stay in countries with risk of yellow fever transmission (WHO list)
Travellers aged 9 months and over arriving from a yellow fever risk country (or after more than 12 hours' airport transit in one) need a valid yellow fever certificate.
WHO International Travel and Health, Annex 1: Countries with risk of yellow fever transmission and countries requiring proof of vaccination against yellow fever (18 Nov 2022, revised 3 Jan 2023) WHO ITH Country List: Vaccination requirements and WHO recommendations for international travellers, 2022 edition (18 Nov 2022, revised 3 Jan 2023) Checked October 19, 2026
Entry restrictions apply to 1 passports for Maldives
The government has suspended some or all visas for holders of these passports. Exceptions exist; see the source.
- Israel
IsraelSource: President's Office, Maldives - President ratifies Third Amendment to the Maldives Immigration Act, prohibiting entry of Israeli passport holdersSource: Maldives Immigration - Tourist Visa (On Arrival)
Life in Maldives
Money
3
Currency
Maldivian Rufiyaa
MVR
Maldivian Rufiyaa
Cost of living
62
Price level · US = 100
World Bank price levels, 2025
Tax
5.5–15%
Income tax (national)
GST 8%
Annual income up to MVR 720,000 exempt; 15% applies above MVR 2.4 million.
Living
1
Happiness
#1 of 3 countries
World Happiness Report 2020
Your edge here Members
What gives you an edge here: passports, visas and permits you hold, work, study, language and family ties
Who it’s for
Foreign nationals hired by an employer in the Maldives. The employer or its authorised representative handles the permit and visa.
Eligibility
Employer applies
The employer (or authorised representative) applies through the Xpat Online System (xpat.egov.mv) using an eFaas account, under the company's organisation profile.
Work permit first
A work visa is the permit to stay for the duration of a work permit obtained under the rules of the relevant government authority (Immigration Act 2007, s.15).
Entry Pass for new arrivals
Newly arriving expatriates must hold a valid Entry Pass issued by the Ministry of Homeland Security and Technology when they arrive.
A sneak peek at what's inside
- Next requirement15-day deadline
- Document checklistRecent photograph
- FeesWork permit fee
The full requirements are for members
Create an account and subscribe to see every requirement, the full document checklist, fees, steps, processing times and conditions, and how your profile compares.
- 1 more requirement
- 4 documents
- 2 fees
- 6 steps
- Processing times and conditions
Places to visit in Maldives
Attractions picked for you, based on your profile and interests.
Finding places for you…
Official sources
Other routes to Maldives
- Visit & tourismTourist visa on arrival
- FamilyDependent Visa
- Investors & entrepreneursCorporate Resident Visa
- CitizenshipMaldivian citizenship
- FamilyMarriage Visa
Work permits in other countries
- MalawiTemporary Employment Permit
- MalaysiaEmployment Pass (EP) Categories I, II and III
- MozambiqueHiring of foreign nationals (work authorisation, quota, approved-investment-project and short-term regimes) with work visa
- NamibiaEmployment Permit (general) and Short-Term Employment (Work) Visa
- New CaledoniaNew Caledonia work authorisation for foreign nationals
- NigeriaSubject to Regularization (STR) Visa (R2A Employment - Expatriate) and CERPAC / e-CERPAC residence permit
