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.
Leaving Maldives
How to properly exit — protecting your finances, rights and records.
📅 General Timeline
Recommended 8–10 week pre-departure checklist: 10 weeks out: notify employer of planned departure date. 8 weeks: arrange MPAO pension withdrawal paperwork. 6 weeks: give notice to landlord, notify bank of planned account closure. 4 weeks: submit MIRA tax clearance if needed; notify Dhiraagu/Ooredoo. 3 weeks: pack and arrange shipping for personal goods (sea freight from Malé: 4–8 weeks to Europe). 2 weeks: collect MPAO withdrawal confirmation; ensure visa cancellation is in process. 1 week: do joint flat inspection; collect deposit; finalise bank transfers. Final day: confirm work visa is officially cancelled with your employer HR; obtain departure documents from employer if needed for future reference.
Deregistration
Notify Maldives Immigration of your departure by cancelling your work visa and Employment Approval (EA). Your employer must formally cancel your EA at the Department of Immigration. This triggers cancellation of your residence permit. Failure to cancel properly can result in complications on future Maldivian visa applications. For resort staff: the resort HR department typically manages the cancellation process on your behalf.
Tax clearance
Individual foreign workers: no income tax clearance required — there is no personal income tax in the Maldives. Business owners: obtain a MIRA Tax Clearance Certificate (TCC) confirming all GST, BPT, TGST, and withholding tax obligations are settled. Apply at mira.gov.mv. Processing time: 5–15 business days. Required if you are closing a business, transferring shares, or applying for a business licence cancellation.
Pension portability
MPAO (Maldives Pension Administration Office): Foreign workers who are leaving the Maldives permanently can withdraw their full MPAO pension account balance. Submit a Pension Withdrawal Request to MPAO with your passport, proof of departure/visa cancellation, and bank account details. MPAO releases funds within 30–60 business days. Note: both your employee contributions (7%) AND the employer matching contributions (7%) are in your individual account and are withdrawable. Transfer to overseas bank account is possible with applicable bank charges.
Health insurance
Your employer-provided health insurance will terminate when your employment contract ends or your work visa is cancelled. Arrange international travel insurance or your home country health insurance to activate before your final day in the Maldives. For medical conditions in progress at time of departure, request referral letters and summary from your treating physician before leaving — Maldivian medical records are not digitised and obtaining them later is difficult.
Bank account
Close your BML (Bank of Maldives) or other local bank accounts before leaving or arrange a trusted person to manage them. BML allows international wire transfers to close accounts. Inform your bank of your planned departure date at least 4 weeks in advance. Remaining MVR balances can be converted to USD or transferred internationally. HSBC Maldives accounts can sometimes be migrated to HSBC branches in other countries — check with your branch manager.
Utilities
Cancel STELCO (electricity) and MWSC (water) accounts if they are in your name. Submit final meter readings and request deposit refunds. Dhiraagu and Ooredoo mobile/internet contracts: give 30-day notice and settle any outstanding bills. If accommodation was provided by your employer, confirm the utility responsibilities with your employer HR. SIM cards can be deactivated online or at Dhiraagu/Ooredoo stores.
Rental contract
Notice period: check your rental agreement — typically 30 days minimum notice required. Confirm in writing with your landlord and get acknowledgement. Arrange a joint move-out inspection and get your deposit back in writing within the agreed return period (typically 30 days). Disputes about deposit return are common — having photos of the flat's condition on move-in and move-out is essential.
Leaving the Country
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