Maldives (MV)

Valid passport with at least 6 months validity beyond your intended stay. Required for all entries, visa applications, work permits, bank account opening, and official registrations. Keep a certified copy stored separately.

Issued by the Department of Immigration (Maldives Immigration) after your employer applies through the Ministry of Higher Education. The core work authorisation document for all foreign workers. Must be obtained before you start work. Tied to specific employer and job title. Renewable annually.

Granted alongside or after Employment Approval. Converts your on-arrival tourist stamp into a legal work authorisation. Typically 1 year validity, renewable. Applied for at Maldives Immigration. Your employer's HR department should manage this process.

Written employment contract in English (or Dhivehi). Must state employer name, salary, working hours, job title, duration, and terms. Required for work visa application. Keep a signed copy — essential for any labour disputes.

Medical fitness certificate from an approved clinic confirming you are free from HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, hepatitis B, and other communicable diseases. Required for initial work visa application. Must be from a MFDA-approved clinic in the Maldives or recognised foreign institution.

Criminal background check from your home country and any country where you have resided for more than 6 months. Required for work visa applications. The Maldives is NOT a Hague Apostille Convention member — full consular/embassy legalisation is required (apostille alone is not accepted). Must not be older than 6 months at time of submission.

Original degree, diploma, or professional certificates. Required if applying for professional or skilled worker roles. The Maldives is NOT a Hague Apostille Convention member — full consular/embassy legalisation required (apostille alone is not accepted). Some regulated professions require Maldives Qualifications Authority (MQA) verification.

Tax Identification Number issued by the Maldives Inland Revenue Authority (MIRA). Required if you operate a business, are a sole trader, or have taxable income in the Maldives. Register at MIRA online portal (mira.gov.mv). Individual foreign employees do not pay income tax but may need a TIN for business activities.

Maldives Pension Administration Office (MPAO) registration. Foreign workers employed by Maldivian employers must be enrolled in the pension scheme. Employer registers you; you receive a pension account number. Contributions: 7% employee + 7% employer of gross salary.

Documents required to open a bank account at Bank of Maldives (BML) or other banks: valid passport, work visa or residence permit, Employment Approval, employer letter confirming employment, and recent utility bill or accommodation confirmation for address verification.

Identification card for long-term foreign residents with valid work permits. Issued by Maldives Immigration. Useful for everyday identification without carrying your passport. Not all visa categories receive a physical card — confirm with your employer.

Formal letter from your employer confirming your employment status, salary, and accommodation. Frequently requested by banks, schools, landlords, and government offices to verify legitimate residency. Should be on employer letterhead with official stamp.

Required to add a spouse or dependants to your residence permit. The Maldives is NOT a Hague Apostille Convention member — full legalisation required: home-country authority attestation and then the Maldivian High Commission or Embassy in the issuing country (apostille alone is not accepted). Certified English translation required if not in English. Note: non-Muslim marriages may face additional scrutiny in this Islamic state.

Required to register children on your residence permit or for school enrolment. The Maldives is NOT a Hague Apostille Convention member — full consular/embassy legalisation required (apostille alone is not accepted). Certified English or Dhivehi translation required if the document is in another language. Schools also require immunisation records.

Foreign driving licences must be exchanged for a Maldivian licence to drive on inhabited islands. International Driving Permits (IDP) are accepted for up to 3 months on arrival. Motor scooters and bicycles are the primary transport on most islands — many expats only need to deal with this if stationed outside Malé.