Republic of Maldives · residence general
Resident Visa
By Sam Parks · Last reviewed:
Residence route for a foreign national married to a Maldivian citizen.
- Processing time
- Submitted through IMUGA. After approval, an SMS appointment is provided to submit the passport.
- Government fees
- The official page lists an MVR 50 visa-card fee.
- Typical duration
- The official page lists initial Marriage Visa validity of 1 year and renewals up to 5 years.
- Sponsorship required
- Yes
- Leads to permanent residency
- No
Overview
The official Resident Visa page describes a visa granted to a foreign national married to a Maldivian citizen, permitting residence in the Maldives. The page mirrors the marriage-residence workflow: sponsorship before arrival where needed, legal marriage registration after arrival, and IMUGA filing or visa transfer after registration.
Eligibility
Typical criteria
- ✓The applicant is a foreign national married to a Maldivian citizen.Maldives Immigration ↗
- ✓Foreigners coming to marry or register marriage are sponsored before arrival through IMUGA.Maldives Immigration ↗
- ✓The legal marriage registration process is completed before resident or marriage-visa filing.Maldives Immigration ↗
- ✓First-time cases include medical report and health insurance where required.Maldives Immigration ↗
Common blockers
- !No completed marriage registration.Maldives Immigration ↗
- !No Maldivian spouse ID or marriage certificate evidence.Maldives Immigration ↗
- !The applicant is seeking work, business or dependent status rather than spouse-based residence.Maldives Immigration ↗
Typical evidence
- ·Application Form IM23 stamped by the Family Court.Maldives Immigration ↗
- ·Passport biodata page, last arrival stamp or last visa page, and passport-size photo.Maldives Immigration ↗
- ·Marriage certificate and Maldivian spouse ID card copy.Maldives Immigration ↗
- ·Medical report and health insurance for first-time applicants.Maldives Immigration ↗
Application pathway
Check the route fit
Confirm the applicant is eligible through marriage to a Maldivian citizen.
Build the evidence pack
Complete sponsorship and marriage registration steps where needed.
Submit through the official channel
Apply through IMUGA and select Resident Visa with the appropriate reason or subtype.
After approval
Submit the passport at the appointment after approval and manage extensions before expiry.
Official application links
Where to actually go next
These are the official pages to use for this route. Open them before preparing documents: the forms, fees, appointment systems, and sponsor steps can change without warning.
- Official guidanceApplicant + sponsorUse official Resident Visa route page ↗
Use this official page to confirm requirements and follow the government filing route for Resident Visa.
Maldives Immigration · verified
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Frequently asked questions
Who is the Maldives Resident Visa page for?+
The official page says it is for a foreign national married to a Maldivian citizen, permitting residence in the Maldives.
What is the listed visa-card fee?+
The official page lists an MVR 50 visa-card fee.
Need tailored advice?
We do not provide legal advice. For an application that depends on your exact circumstances, consult a regulator-listed immigration advisor.
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