Anyone who comes to the Maldives for work will have 15 days from the date of arrival to get a work permit. During this preliminary period, you, as an employee of the company, must receive a valid employment training (EA) — a written application that gives you permission to work in the Maldives — and undergo a medical examination at a hospital or clinic. 

The process of applying for an employment permit

The Department of permits and foreign employment (PFED) of the Ministry of the Interior provides permits for foreigners to work in the country. The Ministry of Internal Affairs will issue an EA-based work visa, which your employer applies for on your behalf.

This process involves three steps: online pre-verification, verification, and final approval. Once issued by EA, you have 90 days to arrive in the Maldives. You must then pay the work visa fee and apply within 15 days of arrival.

What are the categories for obtaining a work permission?

The permit is issued in three different categories:

• commercial

• state-owned enterprises

• internal.

Commercial category

Under this category, companies or individuals hire a foreigner for commercial purposes. This includes both qualified and unskilled professions.

What documents are required for the commercial category of employees?

• Color copy of the employee's passport bio data page

• Digital photo of a size of the passport employee (white background)

• Appointment letter containing all information about the employer, employee, and job (color copy)

• Relevant employee education / professional certificate(s) (for professional professions). 

State category

In this category, employment permits are requested by government agencies or state-owned joint-stock companies. This includes both professional and non-professional professions and requires a quota to apply for a permit.

What documents are required for the state category of employees?

• Color copy of the employee's passport bio data page

• Digital photo of a passport-sized employee

• Appointment letter containing all information about the employer, employee, and job (color copy)

• Appropriate employee education / professional certificate(s) (for professional professions).

Internal category (household)

According to this category, a permit is requested by individuals (local and professional permit category holders) for the purpose of performing household work. This is a non-professional category that does not require a quota.

Professions that provide permission for the home category:

• Domestic servant / housemaid

• Service provider

• Driver.

What documents are required to obtain a permit for the internal (household) category?

• Color copy of the employee's passport bio data page

• Digital photo of a size of the passport employee (white background)

• Appointment letter containing all information about the employer, employee and employment 9 color copy)

• Employee's medical report in English, obtained from the country of residence (color copy)

• Police officer's report in English, obtained from the country of residence (color copy)

• Lease agreement (color copy)

• Floor plan of the house (the employee's place of residence must be determined and signed by two witnesses or approved by a government agency)

• Letter issued by the owner of the place of residence (if the employer lives separately)

• If the patient's accompanying medical certificate (authorized by the state) is submitted

• Medical certificate issued to the patient recognized by the Government of the Maldives (if an application for the position of accompanying person is submitted)

• Color copy of the employee's driver's license (if you are applying for a driver)

• A color copy of the employer's vehicle registration (if you are applying for a driver).

How long does it take to get a work permit in the Maldives?

The standard processing time is 7 days. If an employee's passport is changed after the Employee arrives in the Maldives, the employer must apply for a passport change via "my online applications" on the website.