The Maldives have been known to be one of the popular vacation destinations for tourists and also a popular destination for weddings. It happens that not just tourists find this place attractive, but people seeking to work and permanently stay in Maldives do too, and this will lead us to Maldives immigration.
Maldives has one of the best options for foreign nationals. If you're considering immigration in the beautiful city of Maldives, you need to follow this Maldives immigration guide to familiarise yourself with the specific guidelines and requirements you need for your immigration. This article will give a detail of the Maldives immigration, covering everything from visa types to fees and the application process.
Perks of Immigrating to the Maldives
The following are some of the benefits of Maldives immigration:
1. Tax-Free Income
What more would a foreign National trying to find their feet in a new country appreciate than working in a tax-free system? Maldives is a country that doesn't impose personal income tax, which means you get to put your money into other things. Maldives is also a great place to work and invest.
2. Good Business and Investment Prospects
The strategic location of the Maldives near South Asia makes it a great business place. One thing the Maldivian government encourages is foreign investment. As a popular tourist attraction, most investments focus on tourism and hospitality, which has a high demand for luxury resorts, guesthouses, and marine services.
Another prominent business prospect in the Maldives is real estate. The high demand for resorts and guest houses makes Maldives a good place to invest in real estate developments for resorts. Other business areas in the Maldives include sustainability and renewable energy, fisheries, IT services, healthcare, and education.
3. Opportunities in Tourism and Hospitality
If you're interested in tourism and hospitality, you will love this, as tourism is the backbone of the Maldivian economy. With many amazing luxury resorts, dive centres, and water-based recreational activities, there are numerous jobs for foreign nationals. Oh, and what of business? Foreigners can also tap into the business opportunities in hospitality, tourism management, and marine services.
4. Tropical Lifestyle
Imagine living in an environment that allows you to embrace a slower, more relaxed pace of life, surrounded by stunning natural beauty; yeah, that's what living in the Maldives does. Its stunning beaches, turquoise lagoons, and lush greenery provide a peaceful environment for anyone. Not only is the Maldives perfect for employment and business, but it is also great for digital nomads. With Maldives, you can get a great job, business opportunities, beautiful scenery, and peace of mind in one place.
Basic Entry Requirements For Maldives Immigration
There are entry requirements you need to consider before booking your flight to the Maldives, and it's a must to meet them. They vary based on the type of visa you intend to enter with. However, we will be mentioning some of the general requirements.
Your passport validity is something you need to check before attempting to immigrate to the Maldives. Your passport must have a 6 months validity beyond your intended stay, so if your passport needs to be renewed please do so.
Having your ticket is important for your trip so you must have one with you before heading to the airport. As a foreign national, you need proof of accommodation and must confirm that you have a hotel reservation or a place to stay in the Maldives. Proof of funds is another thing you will need; you need to prove that you can cover your expenses while you're there. Likewise, you need a traveler declaration form, a medical certificate and a yellow fever vaccination certificate.
Types of Maldives Entry Visa and Their Requirements
There are different types of visas you can apply for depending on your reason for going to Maldives. Also, note that all visa application forms can be submitted electronically via IMUGA, the Maldives online platform for immigration services.
1. Tourist Visa
Since the Maldives is a popular tourist attraction, the Maldives tourist visa is popular among its peers. The good thing about the Maldives tourist visa is that you don't need a pre-approved visa as you can pick up your visa upon arrival at the Maldives airport, regardless of your nationality. Acquiring a tourist visa to the Maldives is totally free. However, if you need an extended validity on your tourist visa, it comes with a fee. You can extend your vacation date to 90 days; what's better than having more time to visit all your favorite spots in the Maldives?
Requirements for The Issuance of Tourist visas:
- Valid Passport with at least 6 months validity or a travel document with a Machine Readable Zone (MRZ).
- Proof of onward or return ticket
- Accommodation confirmation
- Proof of sufficient financial resources
- Complete travel itinerary
- Traveler declaration
- Yellow Fever Vaccine certificate
2. Student Visa
First, you must note that a student visa falls under the non-immigrant visa category, which permits you to stay in the country for the duration of your studies. As an international student, you must have gotten an admission offer from an educational institution in Maldives before you can apply for a student visa. The Maldives student visa is initially granted for a month, but it can be extended for another 12 months until the end of your program. All you need to do is to comply with your student visa requirements to qualify for an extension.
Requirements
- Admission letter from any Maldivian university or educational institution.
- Proof sufficient funds
- Expatriate health insurance
- Medical report
- Valid passport
- Completed Visa application
3. Work or Employment Visa
To work in the Maldives as a foreigner, you need a work visa. If you've been offered employment at a Maldivian company, then your employer is responsible for your visa sponsorship and taking care of necessary documentation like the work permit with the Maldivian immigration to allow you to enter, stay, and work in Maldives.
Requirements
- A valid passport
- A valid work permit
- Passport photograph
- Medical report
- Work visa application submission receipt
4. Business Visa
The Marines business visa is issued to people who want to go to the Maldives for business and not as an employee. A formal Maldivian company or organization invitation is required to apply for this visa. You must also go through the Ministry of Economic Development to submit your visa application. Typically, the duration for business visas is 90 days, which can vary based on the type of business you're in Maldives for. The service fee for a business visa costs MVR 750 every three months.
Requirements
- Passport with a 6-month validity
- Passport photos according to Maldives immigration standard
- A letter stating purpose of the visit
- Travel and health insurance
5. Dependent Visa
If you're an expatriate worker in the Maldives and want to bring your family over, then applying for a dependent visa for your immediate family is the way to go. The primary or employment visa holder is responsible for the visa sponsorship of their family. However, the duration for a dependent visa is tied to that of the sponsor's visa, giving families room to reunite and stay together for the period of the primary holders' stay in Maldives. The dependent visa fee is MVR 750, which must be paid every 3 months. Likewise, a dependent Visa card fee of MVR 50 must be paid.
Requirements and Documents for a Dependent Visa
- The IM23 form which is the application for permit extension form.
- A copy of the primary visa holder's work visa.
- Documents proving relationship with the dependent such as marriage certificate or birth certificate.
- Passport of the applicant
- Passport photos of the applicant
- Health certificate
- Health insurance
6. Marriage Visa
A marriage visa is for foreign nationals married to a Maldivian citizen or a foreign national planning to register their marriage with a Maldivian citizen. The Maldivian partner is responsible for submitting a sponsorship declaration before the arrival of their foreign partner, after which they can proceed with the visa application process.
On the other hand, the foreign partner is responsible for the marriage visa application which must be done within a given time. However, foreigners currently in Maldives on a work or business visa must transfer to a marriage visa once their marriage is registered. Note that the Maldives marriage visa has a one-year validity for a first-time application, which can be extended for 5 years after the first expiration.
Requirements
- An application for a permit extension must be stamped by a family court.
- Marriage certificate, which must be in a coloured print
- Identification card of the Maldivian spouse
- Valid passport
- A Visa card fee of MRV 50
- Passport photo of the foreign spouse
- Medical report for a first-time applicant
- Last arrival stamp page for a sponsored partner
- Health insurance
7. Permanent Residence Visa
If you're a business owner in Maldives with a significant investment in a Maldivian company, then you can try your shot at getting a permanent residence visa in the Maldives. You just have to provide the necessary documents and submit them to the concerned government authority.
Another category of people entitled to a permanent residence visa is foreigners married to a Maldivian spouse.
Requirements
- A valid passport
- Proof of investment in a Maldivian company or business
- Proof of sufficient funds
- Proof of accommodation
- Medical insurance certificate
- Police clearance certificate
Maldives Visa Application Process and Where to Apply
The application process varies with each visa. However, you should note that no pre-application is required for tourist visas, as visas are issued on arrival at the airport.
For work, student, or business visa applications, you can do the following:
- Get the necessary documents for your specific type of visa
- Apply through the Maldivian immigration portal online or through an embassy in your home country.
- Wait for approval and get your visa via email or at the consulate in your country of residence
For a dependent visa, here are the visa application steps
- Get the essential documents
- Get a sponsorship from the primary visa holder
- Submit your visa application online through the Maldives immigration portal or at the Maldives immigration office in your home country.
- Make your visa fee payment
- Wait for approval and visa issuance
Here's the application process for a marriage visa:
- Register your marriage visa application process
- Get the required documents
- Submit your visa application online or in person
- Pay for your approval and visa issuance
- Processing Time For Maldives Visa
Aside from the tourist visa collected on arrival, the processing time for other visa applications in the Maldives is between 7-14 working days.
Conclusion
The Maldives is not just about vacation and tourism; it offers much more such as numerous opportunities in business, work, and study. Understanding the immigration requirements and visa processes is essential for a smooth entry and stay in the Maldives. Irrespective of the visa you’re applying for make sure all your documents are in order, and take advantage of the Maldives’ easy immigration process.
