Maldives Work Permit and Employment Approval: Official Process Checklist

A Maldives job offer is not itself permission to work. Maldives Immigration publishes visa and work-related information, while the employer has responsibilities in the official process. Requirements can differ by nationality, occupation, and current policy; read the live government instructions and the employerΓÇÖs approved documentation.

Before travelling

Ask for a written contract naming the employer, job, salary, duty station, accommodation, and who handles official processing. Verify the employer independently. Confirm which passport, medical, insurance, and arrival documents the current instructions require. Never travel on a tourist status to perform work unless the government explicitly permits it.

At each stage

Keep copies of the passport, contract, application reference, receipts, and entry record. Check the work permit or visa details for name, employer, occupation, and expiry. If a detail is wrong, contact Immigration or the authorised employer representative promptly rather than altering a document yourself.

Urgent problems

For withheld passports, unpaid wages, threats, or suspected trafficking, contact the relevant Maldivian authorities and your embassy. Do not pay an unofficial ΓÇ£release feeΓÇ¥ or surrender an OTP. Immigration rules and forms change, so use immigration.gov.mv and official employer instructions for the current cycle.

Official source

Open the authoritative government or institutional source