Overwater Paradise & World's Top Dive Destination
No. All nationalities — with the exception of Israeli passport holders as of April 2025 — receive a free 30-day visa on arrival. You do not need to apply in advance. You will need a valid passport, confirmed accommodation bookings, return/onward ticket, and evidence of sufficient funds.
Yes. Extensions are available at the Department of Immigration and Emigration in Malé for up to 90 days total. You must demonstrate sufficient funds and provide confirmed accommodation. Extensions can be applied for at a resort or guesthouse on your behalf.
The Maldives hospitality industry employs large numbers of expatriates — chefs, dive instructors, spa therapists, resort managers, and water sports staff. Jobs are typically found through international recruitment agencies or direct resort applications. The employer handles the work permit process. Salaries in resorts often include accommodation and meals, offsetting the high cost of living.
Yes, dependent visas are available for spouses and children. The sponsoring employer must confirm they support the application. Schooling for children is available in Malé and Hulhumalé, though options are limited compared to major Asian cities.
Malé and Hulhumalé have a small number of international schools offering IB and British curricula. Options are significantly more limited than in Singapore, Bangkok, or Dubai. Many resort-based expat families place children in international schools in Malé with weekly or bi-weekly visits, or choose to base their family in a nearby country (India, Sri Lanka) with the working parent commuting on resort rotation schedules.
MNU is open to international students and offers undergraduate and postgraduate programs in business administration, law, health sciences, and Islamic studies. Teaching language is primarily English for most programs. Tuition is relatively affordable by international standards. MNU does not carry strong global recognition, so expats pursuing academic careers typically choose overseas institutions.
Most resort islands do not have on-island schooling facilities — they cater to guest experiences, not family living. Expat resort workers with children typically arrange schooling in Malé or Hulhumalé. A small number of larger resorts provide limited childcare for staff families, but this is not the norm.
The majority of expat resort workers live on their resort island — accommodation is provided as part of the employment package. Expats working in Malé-based industries (finance, government, education, NGOs) typically rent apartments in Malé or in the newer, more spacious Hulhumalé development. Hulhumalé offers larger apartments and a less congested environment, connected to Malé and the airport by bridge.
Yes. Malé is one of the world's most densely populated cities and housing is scarce and expensive. A one-bedroom apartment typically costs $900–$1,300/month. Utilities — particularly electricity, which relies on diesel generators — add significantly to monthly costs. Many expats in Malé share apartments to reduce costs. Hulhumalé has more modern stock but prices are comparable or higher for larger units.
Foreigners cannot own freehold land in the Maldives. However, the government has introduced leasehold schemes for resort development and, more recently, luxury residential developments (like those in Hulhumalé) that allow long-term leasehold arrangements for foreign buyers. These are niche opportunities tied to specific government-approved projects and typically require significant investment.