Maldives (MV)
The Maldives is the world's most geographically dispersed country — a chain of 26 coral atolls and 1,192 islands stretching 900km across the Indian Ocean, of which only about 185 are inhabited.
Capital: Malé
Region: Asia
Language: Dhivehi
Currency: MVR (Rf)
Cost of living: Affordable (index 55)
Emergency: 119
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Time: 1–2 hours at the BML branch in Malé · Cost: Free (no account opening fee). Monthly fee: MVR 0–50 depending on account type.
Deadline: Within 2 weeks of arrival — needed for salary receipt
Risk if missed: Cannot receive salary. Must use employer cash advance or expensive international transfers.
Documents needed:
- ✓ Passport (original)
- ✓ Work visa / Employment Approval copy
- ✓ Employment contract or employer letter
- ✓ Proof of Maldivian address (employer letter with address)
- ✓ Source of funds declaration (2026 requirement)
Tip: The main BML branch is on Boduthakurufaanu Magu in Malé. Go early on a weekday morning — queues are shorter. Ask your employer HR to provide a formal letter confirming your employment, salary, and Maldivian address to satisfy the 2026 KYC requirements.
Local institution: Bank of Maldives (BML) (Bank of Maldives)
Time: 5 minutes to check via MPAO app or website once registered · Cost: No cost — employer handles registration
Deadline: Should be active from first pay cycle
Risk if missed: Unpaid contributions are lost if employer goes insolvent. You have a right to 7% employer contribution on departure — unclaimed is forfeited.
Documents needed:
- ✓ Your employment contract
- ✓ Passport copy
Tip: Download the MPAO app (pension.gov.mv) and check your account balance after your first salary payment. If no contributions appear after 2 pay cycles, raise it with your employer HR in writing.
Local institution: MPAO — Maldives Pension Administration Office (Maldives Pension Administration Office)
Full task details are available in the Premium plan
Become a Supporter Time: 2–6 weeks for immigration processing · Cost: MVR 1,500–3,000 (typically employer-paid)
Deadline: Apply 60 days before visa expiry date
Risk if missed: Overstay on an expired work visa: deportation, criminal record, and entry ban. No grace period is guaranteed.
Documents needed:
- ✓ Current passport
- ✓ Current work visa
- ✓ Renewed Employment Approval (if EA also expires)
- ✓ Employer renewal application
- ✓ Updated medical certificate (sometimes required)
Tip: Set a calendar reminder 90 days before your visa expiry date. Provide your employer HR with a written notice that your visa expires and request confirmation of the renewal timeline. Do not assume your employer is tracking this — they manage many employees.
Local institution: Department of Immigration (Department of Immigration)
Time: 1–2 days via MIRA online portal · Cost: Free
Deadline: Within 60 days of commencing employment or business activity
Documents needed:
- ✓ Passport copy
- ✓ Employment contract or business registration
Tip: Register at mira.gov.mv. Most salaried employees have this done by their employer. If you are self-employed or running a business, you MUST register directly.
Local institution: MIRA — Maldives Inland Revenue Authority (Maldives Inland Revenue Authority)
Time: 1–2 days to arrange water delivery or filter installation · Cost: Water delivery: MVR 50–80 per 20L bottle (2–4 per week for a household). Filter: MVR 1,500–5,000
Tip: Water delivery services in Malé: ask building staff or employer HR for the building's preferred supplier. On resort islands: drinking water is usually provided by the employer. Avoid drinking from taps without confirming the water quality with your building manager. Always use filtered or bottled water for cooking if tap water quality is uncertain.
Time: 1 day to set up supplies and routines · Cost: DEET repellent: MVR 50–200. Window screens: MVR 300–1,000. Mosquito nets: MVR 200–500
Tip: Use DEET 20–30% repellent during daylight hours (not just at night — Aedes mosquitoes are day-biters). Cover windows and doors with screens. Remove all standing water (plant saucers, buckets, containers) from around your home. If you develop fever, headache, or joint pain, do NOT take ibuprofen or aspirin (increases bleeding risk in dengue) — use paracetamol only and see a doctor immediately.
Time: 1–2 hours to compare documents carefully · Cost: Free (legal review optional: MVR 1,500–3,000)
Documents needed:
- ✓ Employment contract
- ✓ Employment Approval document
- ✓ Job description
Tip: Check that role title, employer name, salary, and island posting all match between contract and EA. Maldivian employment law requires written contracts — verbal promises are unenforceable. If the employer asks you to sign a different contract after arrival, seek advice immediately. The Labour Relations Authority (+960 332 9320) handles employment disputes.
Time: 1–3 days to arrange if employer does not provide coverage · Cost: USD 100–250/month for comprehensive international plan with MedEvac
Deadline: Before arrival or on day one — do not be uninsured even for one day
Risk if missed: A serious accident or illness without evacuation cover: USD 15,000–50,000 out-of-pocket for a single medevac flight. Potentially life-threatening if you cannot afford evacuation.
Documents needed:
- ✓ Passport details
- ✓ Employment contract (for employer-provided plans)
Tip: Ask your employer if international health insurance with MedEvac is included in your package — many resort and corporate roles include it. If not, AXA Global, Cigna Global, and Allianz Care are the most recommended providers for Maldives expats. Verify the policy explicitly covers medical evacuation from the Maldives.
Full task details are available in the Premium plan
Become a Supporter Time: 2–3 hours to read and assess policy · Cost: Free (insurance broker review: free or small fee)
Documents needed:
- ✓ Full insurance policy wording
- ✓ Schedule of benefits
- ✓ Exclusions list
Tip: Specifically check your policy for: (1) Medical evacuation cover and destination (Colombo? Singapore?), (2) Dive accident / DCS (decompression sickness) coverage, (3) Mental health / counselling access, (4) Coral/marine injury, (5) Whether speedboat and seaplane accidents are covered. If any of these are excluded, consider a supplementary DAN insurance for dive activities.
Time: 4–8 weeks for employer to obtain EA. Confirm with your employer before booking flights. · Cost: MVR 1,500–3,000 (typically paid by employer)
Deadline: Before departure — you cannot legally work without a valid EA
Risk if missed: Working without EA: criminal offence. Deportation and entry ban. Employer faces fines and suspension of hiring rights.
Documents needed:
- ✓ Passport (valid 6+ months beyond intended stay)
- ✓ Signed employment contract
- ✓ Educational qualification certificates (apostilled)
- ✓ Medical fitness certificate from an MFRA-approved doctor
- ✓ Police clearance certificate (apostilled)
Tip: Request a scanned copy of your EA from your employer HR before you travel. The EA number should be on the document — verify it matches your name and passport number exactly. Keep a copy on your phone.
Local institution: Department of Immigration (Department of Immigration)
Time: 1 hour to confirm and read the policy · Cost: Free — employer obligation
Documents needed:
- ✓ Employment contract (health benefit clause)
- ✓ Insurance policy certificate
Tip: Ask HR for the actual insurance policy document (not just a verbal assurance). Key things to verify: medical evacuation coverage, emergency dental, maternity (if relevant), mental health access, and annual limit. Many employer plans provide basic cover without evacuation — if yours does not, supplement it independently.
Full task details are available in the Premium plan
Become a Supporter Time: 1–2 weeks for registration · Cost: Free to register. GST collected from customers and remitted to MIRA.
Deadline: Within 30 days of exceeding the MVR 1 million threshold
Documents needed:
- ✓ Business registration certificate
- ✓ MIRA TIN
- ✓ Financial records
Tip: TGST (Tourism GST) at 17% (from 1 July 2025) applies to tourist-facing services (resort accommodation, excursions, diving, spa). Standard GST at 8% applies to non-tourism businesses. File returns and remit tax on time — MIRA enforces penalties of 0.05% per day on late payments.
Local institution: MIRA — Maldives Inland Revenue Authority (Maldives Inland Revenue Authority)
Time: 1–2 hours to scan and organise · Cost: Free (phone scanning apps) or MVR 200–500 at a copy shop
Documents needed:
- ✓ Passport (photo page + all visa stamps)
- ✓ Employment Approval (EA)
- ✓ Employment contract
- ✓ Health insurance card and policy
- ✓ Educational certificates (apostilled)
- ✓ Police clearance
Tip: Store copies in: (1) a secure cloud folder (Google Drive, Dropbox encrypted), (2) a USB drive kept separately from your laptop, and (3) a physical folder. Email copies to a trusted family member at home. On remote islands, your employer HR should also hold a copy of your EA and passport for emergency purposes.
Full task details are available in the Premium plan
Become a Supporter Time: 1–6 weeks in home country (varies by country) · Cost: USD 20–150 per document depending on home country
Documents needed:
- ✓ Police clearance certificate
- ✓ Degree and educational certificates
- ✓ Marriage certificate (if applicable)
- ✓ Birth certificates (if children accompanying)
- ✓ Professional licences
Tip: Apostille is required for documents originating from Hague Convention member countries. If your country is NOT in the Hague Convention, you will need consular legalisation instead (more expensive and slower). Gather all apostilled documents before you depart — once in the Maldives, obtaining them requires international couriers and home-country contacts, adding weeks and cost.
Full task details are available in the Premium plan
Become a Supporter Time: 30–60 days for full departure process · Cost: Shipping: USD 500–3,000. Bank transfer fees: variable
Deadline: Start 60 days before planned departure date
Documents needed:
- ✓ Visa cancellation confirmation
- ✓ MPAO withdrawal application (submit 30 days before)
- ✓ BML account closure or TT instructions
- ✓ Final payslip and tax certificate
- ✓ Lease termination notice and deposit receipt
Tip: Start MPAO withdrawal BEFORE visa cancellation — MPAO requires visa cancellation proof as part of the process, but if you leave before applying, getting the documentation remotely is significantly harder. Give your landlord 30–60 days notice in writing per your lease terms to ensure deposit return. Close your BML account only after MPAO funds have arrived in your foreign account.
Time: 1–2 days for full verification · Cost: Free to open. Transfer fees: 0.4–1.2% depending on currency pair
Tip: Open your Wise account before arriving in the Maldives using your home address. The Maldivian Rufiyaa (MVR) is not directly tradeable on Wise — most expats convert to USD first (via BML) then transfer USD via Wise. Alternatively, if your salary is paid in USD, transfer directly via Wise.
Time: 15–30 minutes at the provider store · Cost: MVR 50–150 for SIM + starter credit. Data packages: MVR 100–300/month
Documents needed:
- ✓ Passport
- ✓ Copy of your work visa or entry stamp
Tip: Get your SIM at Velana International Airport arrivals or in Malé on day one. WhatsApp is the primary communication tool in the Maldives for everything — work, ordering food, booking ferries. Install and configure WhatsApp with your Maldivian number immediately.
Local institution: Dhiraagu or Ooredoo (Telecom providers)
Time: 1 hour to prepare supplies and routine · Cost: SPF 50+ reef-safe sunscreen: MVR 200–600/bottle. Rehydration salts: MVR 50–100
Tip: Use reef-safe mineral sunscreen (zinc oxide or titanium dioxide based) — many Maldivian resorts and dive sites ban chemical sunscreen (oxybenzone) to protect coral. Drink 3–4 litres of water daily in the heat. Wear UV-protective swimwear for water activities. The sun is strongest 10:00–15:00 — rest indoors during peak heat in your first weeks.
Time: 30 minutes to review and mark calendar · Cost: Free
Tip: Mark all Maldivian public holidays on your calendar (full list at publicservice.gov.mv). During Ramadan: keep food and water in your bag rather than eating publicly on inhabited islands. Government services significantly slow during Ramadan — plan any bureaucratic tasks for before or after. Eid al-Fitr (end of Ramadan) closes almost everything for 3–5 days.
Time: 1–2 hours initial setup · Cost: Free
Tip: Set up BML Internet Banking at the branch when you open your account — bring a local phone number as you will need an SMS OTP to complete setup. BML Pay allows you to transfer money by mobile number within the Maldives (widely used for paying local vendors and taxis). Keep a USD cash reserve as many digital payment channels only handle MVR.
Time: 2 hours initial setup · Cost: VPN service: USD 3–12/month
Tip: Use a reputable VPN (ExpressVPN, NordVPN, Mullvad) — particularly important on resort shared Wi-Fi. Enable 2FA on email, banking, and work accounts. Back up your data before travel — device theft or loss in remote atolls leaves you without easy replacement. WhatsApp Web works well on the BML satellite connections most resorts use.
Time: 3–5 hours of research before making family relocation decisions · Cost: Application fees: USD 100–300. Tuition: USD 8,000–20,000/year
Tip: Research schooling BEFORE committing to a Maldives posting if you have school-age children. Many expat families choose to leave children in home country schools or in regional hubs (Colombo, Dubai) with one parent. If your employer does not provide a school-fee allowance, international school costs in Malé are significant relative to salary packages. Waitlists at good schools are common — apply early.
Full task details are available in the Premium plan
Become a Supporter Time: 2–4 weeks application process; waitlists possible · Cost: Application fee: USD 100–300. Annual tuition: USD 8,000–20,000
Documents needed:
- ✓ Child's previous school transcripts
- ✓ Child's passport
- ✓ Child's vaccination record
- ✓ Employer letter confirming posting
- ✓ Recommendation letters from previous school
Tip: Apply while still in your home country — don't arrive in the Maldives hoping to enrol on the spot. Ask your employer HR whether a school fee allowance is part of your package and which schools are approved. Ghiyasuddin International School (GIS) and Billabong both follow international curricula but fill up fast for Grades 5–10.
Time: 30 minutes to read summary · Cost: Free
Tip: Resort workers are entitled to 30 days annual leave per year. Non-resort workers: minimum 30 days paid leave. The employer CANNOT withhold your passport — this is a criminal offence under Maldivian law. If any employment rights are violated, report to the Labour Relations Authority. Download the Employment Act from labour.gov.mv.
Full task details are available in the Premium plan
Become a Supporter Time: 1 hour per payslip review · Cost: Free
Documents needed:
- ✓ Employment contract
- ✓ First 3 payslips
- ✓ MPAO account statement
Tip: If MPAO contributions do not appear in your account within 2 months of starting, this is a serious compliance issue — your employer may be withholding contributions illegally. Log in to pension.gov.mv to verify contributions directly. Raise in writing with HR immediately. If unresolved, contact MPAO directly at pension.gov.mv or +960 330 0624.
Time: 2–3 hours to document and share with key contacts · Cost: Free
Tip: Write down: MedEvac insurer emergency number, home country emergency contact, designated hospital in Malé or Colombo, emergency guardian for children if both parents are incapacitated, and the nearest functional speedboat or coast guard contact. Share this plan with your employer HR and a trusted colleague on the island. Update it every 6 months.
Full task details are available in the Premium plan
Become a Supporter Time: 1–2 weeks of research before making family relocation decision · Cost: Nanny: MVR 5,000–15,000/month. Nursery (Malé): MVR 2,000–5,000/month
Tip: For resort postings: a live-in nanny is typically the only viable option for families with young children. Budget for this in your financial planning. Ask employer HR whether a nanny allowance is part of the expat package. In Malé, ask other expat families via Facebook groups for current nursery recommendations — availability changes frequently.
Full task details are available in the Premium plan
Become a Supporter Time: 14–30 days for processing after application · Cost: Free — this is your money
Deadline: Submit application before leaving the Maldives (before visa cancellation)
Documents needed:
- ✓ Passport
- ✓ MPAO account number
- ✓ Proof of visa cancellation / departure documentation
- ✓ Bank account details for transfer
Tip: Start the withdrawal process 30 days before your planned departure. Log in to pension.gov.mv to check your exact balance. Provide a foreign bank account (USD preferred) for the transfer — MPAO transfers internationally. Check whether your home country will tax this lump sum as income.
Local institution: MPAO — Maldives Pension Administration Office (Maldives Pension Administration Office)
Full task details are available in the Premium plan
Become a Supporter Time: 4–8 weeks · Cost: MVR 3,000–15,000 for registration + annual fees
Documents needed:
- ✓ Passport copies of all directors
- ✓ Proposed company name
- ✓ Memorandum and Articles of Association
- ✓ Foreign Investment Approval (if >100% foreign ownership)
- ✓ Business address in the Maldives
Tip: Engage a Maldivian corporate lawyer before registering. Foreign ownership restrictions vary by sector — tourism, fishing, and land are restricted. The business registration portal is business.gov.mv. Register for MIRA TIN and GST immediately after company registration.
Local institution: Ministry of Economic Development (Ministry of Economic Development)
Time: 30 minutes · Cost: Free
Tip: For resort postings: ask your employer HR for the resort's designated emergency medical procedure. Most large resorts have an on-site nurse or doctor. For outer atoll postings: the nearest hospital may be 1–3 hours by speedboat — have your insurer's 24-hour emergency line saved and accessible offline.
Time: 1–2 hours to research and plan · Cost: Online therapy: USD 60–100/week. No cost for planning
Tip: Plan regular off-island breaks BEFORE you need them: budget for Malé trips every 4–6 weeks and a home-country visit every 4–6 months. Set up a regular video call schedule with family. Exercise consistently (ocean swimming, diving, yoga). Use online therapy proactively — BetterHelp and Talkspace work well on Maldivian internet. Join resort social groups rather than isolating in your room during downtime.
Time: 2–4 property viewings before signing · Cost: Free — agent fees apply only after signing
Documents needed:
- ✓ Lease draft from landlord
- ✓ Inventory checklist
Tip: Check: air conditioning (does every room have functioning AC?), water pressure and hot water reliability, generator backup during power cuts (STELCO outages are common), internet speed (test with a speed app), and window screens for mosquito prevention. Visit during daytime and evening if possible.
Time: 1–2 days to review and negotiate · Cost: Legal review optional: MVR 500–2,000
Documents needed:
- ✓ Signed written lease
- ✓ Landlord ID or ownership proof
- ✓ Deposit receipt
- ✓ Utility responsibility clause
Tip: Never pay a deposit before receiving a signed lease and verifying the landlord owns (or has authority to let) the property. In Malé, 1–2 months deposit is standard. Photograph every room on move-in day and send photos to the landlord by WhatsApp — this protects your deposit on exit.
Time: 1–3 business days for new connections · Cost: STELCO deposit: MVR 500–1,000. Internet: MVR 400–1,500/month for fibre
Documents needed:
- ✓ Lease agreement
- ✓ Passport copy
- ✓ Employer letter (for new accounts)
Tip: In Malé, most landlords include utilities within a fixed service charge — clarify this before signing the lease. Internet in outer atolls: Dhiraagu 4G LTE is the most reliable; buy a high-data SIM package. Power cuts: invest in a UPS battery backup for router and laptop in Malé — STELCO outages are common.
Full task details are available in the Premium plan
Become a Supporter Time: 30–60 day process from initiation to departure · Cost: Free (government process)
Documents needed:
- ✓ Employer-initiated EA and visa cancellation letter
- ✓ MPAO withdrawal application (submitted)
- ✓ Tax clearance certificate (if business)
- ✓ Flight booking
Tip: Coordinate your departure with your employer HR at least 60 days ahead. Your employer cancels the EA and visa — you cannot do this yourself. Ensure the visa cancellation date aligns with your planned exit date (being in the country after visa cancellation = overstay). Request written confirmation of EA and visa cancellation from HR as documentation for MPAO withdrawal.
Full task details are available in the Premium plan
Become a Supporter Time: 2–4 weeks to arrange independent cover · Cost: Varies by age and cover level; USD 50–200/month
Documents needed:
- ✓ Employment contract (life insurance clause)
- ✓ Existing policy documents
Tip: Arrange cover before leaving your home country — medical evidence requirements are easier to satisfy at home. Check whether your employer provides group life cover and its amount. If you have a mortgage or family dependants, the employer cover is rarely sufficient. Portability matters: choose a policy that doesn't lapse if you change employer.
Time: 2–4 weeks for survival phrases (30 minutes/day) · Cost: Free (YouTube, apps) to MVR 200–500/hour for private tutor
Tip: Start with: "Assalamu Alaikum" (universal Islamic greeting — always use), numbers 1–10, "Kihaavarah?" (How much?), "Koba?" (Where?), and "Shukuriyyaa" (Thank you). The Thaana script (right-to-left) is unique to Maldives — learning even the alphabet significantly helps with WhatsApp messages from colleagues. Apps: search "Learn Dhivehi" on iOS/Android for starter vocabulary.
Time: 10 minutes to clarify with employer · Cost: Free
Tip: Ask your employer specifically whether your posting island is an inhabited island or a resort island. This has significant lifestyle implications. On resort islands, alcohol is available for tourists and staff (within the resort). In Malé, you cannot import, possess, or consume alcohol — full stop.
Full task details are available in the Premium plan
Become a Supporter Time: 4–8 weeks · Cost: MVR 1,000–2,000 per dependant
Documents needed:
- ✓ Sponsor's (your) work visa and Employment Approval
- ✓ Marriage certificate (apostilled)
- ✓ Birth certificates for children (apostilled)
- ✓ Dependant's passport (valid 6+ months)
- ✓ Proof of accommodation in the Maldives
- ✓ Health insurance for the dependant
- ✓ Financial means documentation (sponsor's salary slip)
Tip: Do not bring family members on tourist visas with the intention of staying long-term — this is an immigration violation. Ensure dependent visa is applied for and approved before family members travel. Children on resort islands face limited schooling options — research this before bringing school-age children.
Local institution: Department of Immigration (Department of Immigration)
Full task details are available in the Premium plan
Become a Supporter Time: 4–20 weeks depending on profession · Cost: MVR 500–5,000 (MQA + professional registration)
Deadline: Before commencing practice in your regulated profession
Documents needed:
- ✓ Original degree certificate (apostilled)
- ✓ Official transcripts
- ✓ Institutional accreditation evidence
- ✓ Certified English translation (if not in English)
- ✓ Passport copy
Tip: Start the recognition process BEFORE arriving in the Maldives — gather all apostilled documents in your home country. Medical professionals: contact the Maldives Medical Council (medicalmaldives.mv) early. Ensure you have apostilles from a Hague Convention country or consular legalisation if not.
Local institution: Maldives Qualifications Authority (MQA) (Maldives Qualifications Authority)
Full task details are available in the Premium plan
Become a Supporter Time: 2–4 weeks for processing · Cost: USD 840/year
Documents needed:
- ✓ Passport (valid 18+ months)
- ✓ Proof of employment or business income outside Maldives (3 months bank statements)
- ✓ Proof of income USD 3,500+/month
- ✓ International health insurance
- ✓ Application form (immigration.gov.mv)
Tip: Apply online — the process moved fully online in March 2026. You can apply from any location. You must not work for any Maldivian entity under this visa. Accommodation in the Maldives for digital nomads: Hulhumalé offers the best value. Join the "Work From Maldives" Facebook community for practical tips.
Local institution: Department of Immigration (Department of Immigration)
Full task details are available in the Premium plan
Become a Supporter Time: 2–4 weeks for Ministry of Tourism registration · Cost: MVR 500–1,500 for registration
Documents needed:
- ✓ Original PADI/BSAC/NAUI/SSI instructor certification
- ✓ Current Diver Medical (annual)
- ✓ DAN or equivalent dive accident insurance
- ✓ Employment contract at a licensed dive centre
Tip: Keep your PADI or equivalent certification current and your annual diver medical up to date. DAN (Divers Alert Network) dive insurance is strongly recommended — the nearest hyperbaric chambers are at ADK Hospital in Malé and Kuramathi Resort in Raa Atoll. Never guide dives without valid certification and registration.
Local institution: Ministry of Tourism (Ministry of Tourism)
Full task details are available in the Premium plan
Become a Supporter Time: 6–18 months for full processing · Cost: USD 250,000+ investment + USD 5,000–15,000 in legal and application fees
Documents needed:
- ✓ Passport (valid)
- ✓ Proof of minimum USD 250,000 investment in approved scheme
- ✓ Police clearance (apostilled)
- ✓ Medical certificate
- ✓ Financial statements
- ✓ Proof of 3 years prior legal residence
Tip: Engage a Maldivian immigration lawyer and financial adviser before committing to this pathway. The investment fund options change — verify current eligible funds with the Department of Immigration or your lawyer. Note: Citizenship is constitutionally restricted to Muslims and is NOT available to non-Muslims regardless of investment or residency duration.
Local institution: Department of Immigration (Department of Immigration)
Time: 3–6 months to complete all requirements before travel · Cost: USD 500–2,000 in veterinary, permit, and transport fees
Documents needed:
- ✓ MOFMRA import permit
- ✓ Microchip documentation (ISO 11784/11785)
- ✓ Rabies vaccination certificate (issued 30+ days and less than 12 months before travel)
- ✓ Official veterinary health certificate
- ✓ Airline approval for pet carriage
Tip: Seriously consider whether bringing a pet to the Maldives is practical. Resort islands have no veterinary services on-site. Most inhabited islands have no vet. The nearest veterinary clinic is in Malé. Heat, humidity, sand flies, and isolation are extremely hard on pets. If you proceed, contact MOFMRA first to verify current import requirements (mofmra.gov.mv) as rules change.
Full task details are available in the Premium plan
Become a Supporter Time: 1 appointment in Malé · Cost: Initial consultation: MVR 500–1,500
Documents needed:
- ✓ Pet vaccination records
- ✓ Import permit documentation
- ✓ Microchip certificate
Tip: Ask expat Facebook groups ("Maldives Expats" on Facebook) for current vet referrals in Malé — the veterinary clinic situation changes. Keep a supply of your pet's regular medications and flea/tick preventatives as availability in Malé is unreliable. Heat, humidity, and sand flies present significant health challenges for pets — especially dogs.
Time: 15 minutes online · Cost: Free
Tip: UK: FCDO register at gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/maldives. USA: step.state.gov. Australia: smartraveller.gov.au. This is critical for the Maldives — if a natural disaster, political unrest, or medical emergency occurs, your government needs to locate you. Many expats on remote resort islands are genuinely hard to reach without prior registration.
Full task details are available in the Premium plan
Become a Supporter Time: 1–4 weeks for MIRA to issue TCC · Cost: Free
Deadline: Before departure if you operated a business
Documents needed:
- ✓ MIRA TIN
- ✓ Filed and paid tax returns for all periods
- ✓ Business deregistration documentation
Tip: Initiate the TCC process 30+ days before departure. All outstanding GST and BPT returns must be filed and balances paid before TCC is issued. MIRA will audit the business records — ensure accurate bookkeeping throughout your stay.
Local institution: MIRA — Maldives Inland Revenue Authority (Maldives Inland Revenue Authority)
Time: 1 hour to research routes and operators · Cost: Ferry: MVR 20–60. Speedboat: USD 20–150. Seaplane: USD 200–500+
Tip: Public ferries are cheap but infrequent — check the MTCC timetable at ferry.mv. For medical emergencies or urgent travel, your employer or resort should have a dedicated speedboat contract. Never travel by speedboat in rough weather (seas above 2 metres) without a life jacket. Keep the coast guard emergency number (+960 331 4243) saved.
Time: 1–2 days to familiarise on foot · Cost: Taxi: MVR 20–40 flat rate anywhere in Malé. Ferry: MVR 8 Malé–Hulhumalé
Tip: In Malé, taxis have no meters — negotiate before getting in (MVR 20–40 is standard for any trip within Malé). Ride-hailing apps are not widely used. The Sinamalé Bridge toll is free for pedestrians and vehicles. Cycling in Malé is possible but aggressive traffic makes it stressful — use it early morning. Velana International Airport is on Hulhulé island — the ferry from Malé is MVR 8 and runs regularly.
Full task details are available in the Premium plan
Become a Supporter Time: 30 minutes to book; plan 1–3 hour buffer at airport for weather delays · Cost: USD 200–500 per sector (employer usually covers for work assignments)
Documents needed:
- ✓ Employer booking reference or personal booking confirmation
- ✓ Passport
Tip: Two operators: Trans Maldivian Airways (TMA) and Manta Air. Seaplanes are weight-limited — know your baggage allowance (usually 20–25kg including carry-on). Flights cancelled due to weather are rescheduled, not refunded immediately. In monsoon season (June–November), early morning flights are most reliable — afternoon cancellations are common. For resort employees, your employer coordinates transfers.