Visa & Residency

The Maldives has a remarkably simple tourist visa policy — everyone gets 30 days free on arrival. Beyond tourism, visa options are limited compared to countries with established digital nomad programs. Work visas require employer sponsorship, business visas need government approval, and the marriage visa is the most accessible long-term option for those with Maldivian partners.

The Maldives offers one of the world's simplest entry policies. Every nationality receives a free 30-day visa on arrival at Velana International Airport. No pre-application, no online form, no consulate visit. Extensions up to 90 days are available through the Maldives Immigration Department for a fee. Most digital nomads and short-term expats use this pathway.

Working legally in the Maldives requires both a Work Permit (issued by the Ministry of Homeland Security and Technology) and a Work Visa (issued by Maldives Immigration). The process is employer-driven — your employer applies for the work permit, and you must enter the country and have the work visa issued within 15 days of arrival. Most expat workers are in the tourism, education, or healthcare sectors.

Business visas are available for foreign nationals conducting approved business activities in the Maldives. The marriage visa is the most common long-term residency pathway for non-working foreign partners of Maldivian nationals. Both require specific government approvals and documentation.

The work visa process in the Maldives is employer-led. Unlike many countries where the individual applies, here your employer handles most of the bureaucracy. The process typically takes 2–4 weeks from job offer to visa issuance, assuming all documents are in order.