Republic of Maldives visas
Maldives Immigration runs visa services through the official Immigration website, IMUGA and the Xpat Online System. The route set is strongly digital: work visas are moving to e-Visa status linked to work permits, business visas start in the Business Portal before immigration verification, and family-linked marriage, resident and dependent visas are filed through IMUGA. Short meeting visitors may use a 14-day on-arrival Meeting Visa if they meet the official prerequisites.
7 routes · 2 without a sponsor · 0 lead to settlement
Official portal
Regulators of immigration advice
- Maldives Bar Council (MBC) — Regulates legal practitioners in the Maldives. There is no separate immigration-adviser regulator; immigration status is administered by Maldives Immigration and related government portals.
Visa routes (7)
Work Visa
Digital Maldives work e-Visa for expatriates authorised to reside and work in the Maldives.
Sponsor required · Non-settlement · Last reviewed 13 July 2026
Business Visa
Business route initiated through the Maldives Business Portal and verified by Maldives Immigration.
No sponsor needed · Non-settlement · Last reviewed 13 July 2026
Meeting Visa
Fourteen-day on-arrival visa for eligible meeting, conference or convention visitors.
No sponsor needed · Non-settlement · Last reviewed 13 July 2026
Marriage Visa
Visa for a foreign national married to a Maldivian to remain in the Maldives.
Sponsor required · Non-settlement · Last reviewed 13 July 2026
Resident Visa
Residence route for a foreign national married to a Maldivian citizen.
Sponsor required · Non-settlement · Last reviewed 13 July 2026
Dependent Visa
Visa for immediate family members of expatriates in professional categories working in the Maldives.
Sponsor required · Non-settlement · Last reviewed 13 July 2026
Sponsorship Declaration
Pre-arrival sponsorship approval for bringing a foreign national to the Maldives for visiting, dependency or approved reasons.
Sponsor required · Non-settlement · Last reviewed 13 July 2026
Planning life after your move?
Organise documents, arrival money, housing and the practical steps after visa approval. Your route conditions remain the starting point.
Frequently asked questions
How many visa routes does Republic of Maldives have?+
We cover 7 Republic of Maldives visa routes in these categories: sponsored work, visitor and short business, family, and general residence. Each one links to its primary government source and carries a last-reviewed date.
Which Republic of Maldives visas do not need an employer sponsor?+
2 of the 7 Republic of Maldives routes we cover can be pursued without an employer sponsor, which helps if you do not have a job offer yet. The remaining 5 are employer-sponsored.
Which Republic of Maldives visas lead to permanent residence?+
The Republic of Maldives routes we cover are temporary rather than direct settlement routes.
Need tailored advice?
We do not provide legal advice. For an application that depends on your exact circumstances, consult a regulator-listed immigration advisor.
Find a regulated advisor in Maldives