Maldives Work Visa – Application and Documents needed

The Maldives enabling working environment and vibrant economy make it easier for expatriates with Maldives Work Visa to secure jobs. The tourism sector provides most job openings for foreigners in the country. Other competing sectors include fish processing, shipping, and sand mining.

Interestingly, foreigners quickly adapt to the environment because English is mainly used as a medium of communication, although the official language is Maldivian or Dhivehi.

Some candidates struggle to obtain a Maldives work visa because they are unaware of the necessary paperwork, the application process, or the ideal time to submit their application. This article will help you through the full application process and help you avoid having your work visa application rejected.

About the Maldives 

The Maldives is a tropical island nation located in the Indian Ocean. With a population of over 328,000 people, it is one of the most densely populated countries in the world. The Maldives has an archipelagic country comprising more than 1,000 islands and atolls. The capital city is Malé which is also the largest city. The country has been known for centuries as an Islamic paradise, but today it also enjoys a growing reputation as a luxury tourism destination.

The economy of the Maldives is heavily dependent on tourism, with revenues from tourism accounting for around 70% of the country’s gross domestic product. Unemployment in the Maldives is relatively low, at just 6%.

What is a Maldives Work Visa?

It is a legal document issued by the Maldives government to foreigners to visit the country for employment. The work visa is not enough to allow you to work and get paid in the country; you need a work permit. You have up to fifteen days from the day you arrive in the country to apply for your Maldives work permit. It would help if you visited the Ministry of Economic Development with your traveling passport, Maldives Work Visa, and other vital documents to apply for your work permit.

Meanwhile, if you secure a job before leaving your country, your employer in the Maldives can help you apply for a work permit before your arrival. It is the best option because the Maldives embassy in your country will expedite your Maldives Work Visa processing. But if you are a Citizen of a country that enjoys a visa- exemption from the Maldives can apply for a work permit on arrival to the country.

Visa-free countries to the Maldives 

If you are from any country listed below, you can visit the Maldives for a minimum of Thirty days though countries like India and Russia can stay up to ninety days without a Maldives visa.

• Anguilla
• Antigua and Barbuda
• Bahamas
• Bangladesh
• Barbados
• Belize
• Bermuda
• Bhutan
• Botswana
• Brasil
• The British Virgin Islands
• Brunei
• Cayman Islands
• Cook Islands
• Costa Rica
• Dominican
• Equator
• Eswatini
• Fiji
• The Gambia
• Gibraltar
• Grenada
• Haiti
• Hong Kong
• India
• Indonesia
• Ireland
• Jamaica
• Kenya
• Kosovo
• Lesotho
• Malaysia
• Mauritius
• Micronesia
• Montserrat
• Niue
• Pakistan
• Panama
• Philippine
• Qatar
• Russia
• Nevis
• Saint Lucia
• Singapore
• South Africa
• Helena
• Vincent and the Grenadines
• Thailand
• Tobago
• Tunisia
• United Arab Emirates
• United Kingdom
• Vanuatu
• Zambia
• Zimbabwe

So let’s discuss the documents required for a Maldives Work Visa if you must apply for it to access the country.

Documents needed for a Maldives Work Visa application 

It would help if you made the documents listed below available so that your work visa application won’t be delayed at the embassy.

• A traveling passport that is valid for at least one year and readable on a machine
• A valid work permit whose validity is ninety days
• A completed Maldives Work Visa application form
•  At most one-month-old passport photograph must meet the standard mentioned below:
• The height must be from 32mm to 36mm, with your facing occupying 80% of the photo size.
• It must be sharp, focus and the contrast must be intact.
• When taking the passport, you should avoid shadows, lightning, and red eyes.
• The passport photo must be on white background without a border or other images being captured.
• Avoid contact with things like staple pins, paper clips, or indelible inks with the passport photo; let it be as neat as possible.
• The digital camera’s image resolution to take the photo must not be less than 600 Dpi.
• You can use covering if you are from a religious country that supports it, but your face must be visible from the chin.
• A passport photo must not be taken with uniform components.
• You must obtain a medical fitness certificate from a government-approved hospital in your country. It must not be older than six months before your departure date.
• Proof of accommodation such as hotel booking/ reservation, receipt of rented apartment, or address of your host in Maldives
• Proof of employment or job contract from Maldives organization if you have already secured a job or contract in the country
•  Evidence of your flight tickets or reservations made.
• Receipt of Maldives Work Visa application fee payment

Application procedures for a Maldives Work Visa

You can apply for a work visa online or visit the Maldives embassy in your country to apply offline. If you choose to apply for a work visa offline, here are the steps that follow.

Firstly visit the Maldives embassy or consulate in your country to obtain the application form. You also book an appointment to submit your application credentials and interview.

Secondly, you should arrange all the supporting documents and the completed application form in a self-addressed envelope.

Thirdly, you should pay the work visa application fee and attach the receipt to other credentials.

The next step is to appear in person on the scheduled date to submit your application. The consular officer will interview you after you have submitted your application successfully. Then a biometric capture will follow.

Lastly, you wait for a few days while the embassy decides on your application. Note that the embassy will return your original documents to you once they are done. Alternatively, you can apply online using Xpat Online System by following the steps below:

• Log in to Xpat Online System and create a user account.
• The next thing is to select the operation you want to perform (Maldives Work Visa application)
• Fill out the online application form with verifiable information and upload all the requested documents.
• Click on submit
• The embassy will process your details within forty-eight hours and contact you to submit your passport online to process your visa.
• His process takes a maximum of three days to contact you on how to pick up your Maldives Work Visa and your traveling passport.

Maldives working routine and Conditions

You can work actively from Sundays to Thursdays and partly on Friday because of religious activities since the Maldives is an Islamic country. The maximum number of hours you can in a week is forty-eight hours. Saturdays, are meant for the workers to have total rest and spend time with family members. In addition, there are nine public days yearly that employees in the country must observe.

• First of January: The Day Maldives Embraced Islam
• First Day of Ramadan
• Eid-ul Fitr
• July 26: Maldives Independence Day
• Eid-ul Al’haa
• Hajj Day
• November 3: Maldives Victory Day
• November 11: Maldives Republic Day
• Day of Commemoration of the Birth of Prophet Mohamed (Maulud)

In addition, if you have worked in the Maldives for a year, you will be entitled to a thirty-day annual sick leave with pay.

Also Read:Maldives Visa on Arrival – Application, Extension and Fees

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Can I get a job in the Maldives with a tourist visa?

You can’t get a job with a Maldives tourist visa. However, if you intend to work in the country, you will need a Maldives work visa.

Which job is best in the Maldives?

The best jobs in the Maldives depend on your skills and interests. However, some popular jobs the in the Maldives include working in the tourism industry, as a dive instructor, or as a marine biologist.

What’s the average salary in the Maldives?

The least paid employee in the Maldives is 4,840 MVR, equivalent to 320 USD monthly. So on average, an employee can earn 20000 MVR in a month.

How much is the house rent in the Maldives?

The amount to pay depends on the size of the house and the location. For example, if you intend to rent a single bedroom in the city center, you should budget 12,700.59 MVR per month. But if you choose to go outside the city, be prepared to pay 9,969.82 MVR monthly. Note that the amount is not fixed; you can always check online for updates.

Is it fun to visit the Maldives?

The Maldives is a popular destination because of its crystal-clear waters, sandy beaches, and lush coral reefs. The islands are also known for their luxury resorts and well-maintained infrastructure. So you will catch up enough fun when you visit the Maldives.

Conclusion

In conclusion, if you are planning to visit the Maldives for employment opportunities, be sure to obtain a work visa. The application process is straightforward and requires only a few documents, such as your passport photo, a copy of your ID, and a letter of invitation from your employer.