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.
Qualification Recognition
Getting your foreign credentials recognised in Maldives.
The Maldives Qualifications Authority (MQA — mqa.gov.mv) is the body responsible for recognising foreign qualifications and awarding levels within the Maldives Qualifications Framework (MQF). Recognition is required for professions regulated by law (medicine, architecture, engineering, teaching) and for employment in certain senior or professional roles. MQA maps foreign qualifications to the 10-level MQF framework. English-language qualifications from internationally accredited institutions are generally straightforward to recognise. The Maldives is NOT a member of the Hague Apostille Convention — full consular legalisation is required for all foreign official documents.
Regulated Professions
Process: Step 1: Obtain degree certificate authenticated by the issuing university with an apostille or legalisation from your home country. Step 2: Provide certified English translation if the original is not in English. Step 3: Submit application to the relevant regulatory body (see below) and/or MQA for equivalency assessment. Step 4: Some professions require an additional licensing exam or clinical verification. Step 5: Receive recognition letter or licence to practise.
Authority: Maldives Qualifications Authority (MQA) for general academic qualification equivalency. Sector-specific: Maldives Medical Council (for doctors/dentists/nurses), MMPRC-regulated bodies for tourism professionals, Ministry of Education for teachers.
Timeline: 4–12 weeks for standard academic recognition. Medical and legal licences: 8–20 weeks including background checks.
Cost: MQA assessment: MVR 500–2,000. Professional registration fees vary by profession: MVR 1,000–5,000 for initial registration.
Academic Degrees
Authority: Maldives Qualifications Authority (MQA) — mqa.gov.mv
Process: Submit degree certificate, transcripts, and institution accreditation evidence to MQA. For degrees from major international institutions (UK, USA, Australia, India, etc.), recognition is generally straightforward. Degrees from less-known institutions may require additional evidence of institutional accreditation. MQA maps foreign qualifications to the 10-level MQF framework.
Equivalency service: MQA Online Submission Portal at mqa.gov.mv. Supporting documents: certified copies of degree, official transcripts, proof of institution accreditation, passport copy, and application form. Cost: MVR 500–1,500 depending on level.
Document Rules
Apostille: The Maldives is NOT a member of the Hague Apostille Convention (confirmed by HCCH status table, 31 December 2025). An apostille stamp alone is insufficient for documents to be accepted by Maldivian authorities. All foreign official documents require full consular legalisation.
Legalisation: All foreign official documents (degrees, police clearances, civil documents) must be legalised through the full consular chain: (1) authentication by the competent authority in the issuing country; (2) authentication by the issuing country's Ministry of Foreign Affairs; (3) authentication by the Maldivian Embassy or High Commission in the issuing country (or nearest Maldivian diplomatic mission). Then: (4) further authentication by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Malé if required by the receiving authority. Allow 4–8 weeks.
Sworn translation: Certified English translation required for all documents not originally in English or Dhivehi. Translation must be done by a certified translator and stamped. English-language translations are accepted — Dhivehi translation is not required for professional registration.
Counselling & Help
- - Maldives Qualifications Authority (MQA) — info@mqa.gov.mv — advise on recognition procedures
- - Maldives Medical Council — for healthcare professional queries
- - Ministry of Education — for teaching qualification recognition
- - Individual employer HR departments — large resorts and international companies often facilitate recognition for skilled hires
- - Maldivian immigration lawyers — can advise on qualification requirements for specific visa categories
Typical Timelines
Academic degree recognition (MQA): 4–6 weeks. Medical licence: 8–16 weeks. Teacher registration: 6–10 weeks. Engineering/architecture licence: 6–12 weeks. Legal advocate licence: 12–20 weeks (including Maldives Bar admission process).
Professional licensing in the Maldives is a prerequisite for legally practising in regulated professions — working without a licence in medicine, law, or engineering is a criminal offence. The tourism sector (dive instructors, marine biologists, sailing instructors) has its own certification requirements managed through the relevant international bodies (PADI, RYA, etc.) rather than MQA. For tech and business professionals without regulated requirements, MQA recognition is optional but may be requested by employers.
Qualification Recognition
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