Entry / immigration regulations
Tourist visa
Travelers of all nationalities receive a tourist visa on arrival in the Maldives, which is usually valid for 30 days. However, the final decision on the number of days is at the discretion of the Maldivian immigration authorities at the border (airport, port, etc.). The period of approval is noted in the passport. The tourist visa does not entitle you to business or paid employment.
To enter the country you need:
- A passport that is valid for at least 6 months after entering the country
- Proof of prepaid hotel booking / accommodation
- Sufficient financial means for the duration of the stay
- Proof (ticket, etc.) of the onward or return journey
- Depending on where you are coming from, a yellow fever vaccination certificate
An extension of the tourist visa on site is possible. The necessary application forms and the above information to read can be found on the homepage of the Maldivian immigration authorities at https://immigration.gov.mv.
Work visa
If you want to work in the Maldives, you need a work visa.
To enter the country you need:
- A machine-readable copy of the biodata passport (valid for at least 1 year)
- A valid work permit that does not exceed 90 days from the arrival date
- Embarkation / disembarkation card approved by the Maldivian Immigration Service
- Depending on where you are coming from, a yellow fever vaccination certificate
For the application you need:
The application is made by your future employer. The following documents are required so that your employer can initiate all the necessary steps:
- Valid passport
- Copy of the work permit
- Work Visa Card Fee
- Current passport photo
- Medical health certificate (issued by a hospital authorized by the relevant government agency)
- Submission confirmation for the work visa
The necessary application forms and the above information to read can be found on the homepage of the Maldivian immigration authorities at https://immigration.gov.mv.
Business visa
Anyone who has to do business in the Maldives for a certain period of time – but not as an employee – requires a business visa. The application for this can be made by email ([email protected]). The approval process takes about 48 hours. You can enter the country with the business visa at the international airports in Malé and Gan.
After you have received a positive decision from the immigration authorities, the original application form must be submitted to the immigration authorities at the respective airport and the visa fee paid. This must be done at least 1 hour before the planned arrival. It is important that you have a valid visa before departure for the Maldives, otherwise entry will be denied.
To apply by email, you need:
- Business Visa Application Form (PDF Format)
- Color copy of the machine-readable passport (PDF format)
- Registration copy (PDF format)
- Passport photo (JPEG format)
- Proof of qualification or reference reports (PDF format)
- Copy of the health insurance certificate (PDF format)
- A letter from the client providing information about the length of stay in the Maldives (PDF format)
The necessary application forms and the above information to read can be found on the homepage of the Maldivian immigration authorities at https://immigration.gov.mv.
Labor market
If you want to work in the Maldives, you need a permit from the Maldivian Ministry of Trade. You can find many job offers at job-maldives.com, hotelcareer.de. According to countryvv, employees in the tourism industry (hotels, diving instructors, etc.) are particularly in demand.
Cost of living
On average, groceries are about as expensive as in Germany. Alcoholic beverages are significantly more expensive, public transport, taxis and petrol are much cheaper.
- Rent prices in Male are 12.91% lower than in Berlin
- Restaurant prices in Male are 47.64% lower than in Berlin
Average cost of living in Malé (from 11/2019 – 10/2020)
| Restaurant | Ø € Price | € Price from / to |
| Food, price w. restaurant | 3.12 | 2.76 – 6.63 |
| Middle class, 3 courses for 2 people. | 24.83 | 19.31-38.26 |
| Local beer, 0.5 l | 3.20 | 1.38 – 8.28 |
| Imported beer, 0.33 l | 5.55 | 3.31- 8.28 |
| cappuccino | 2.05 | 1.38-3.59 |
| Coca / Pepsi (0.33 l) | 0.88 | 0.66 – 1.10 |
| Water (0.33 l) | 0.30 | 0.17-0.66 |
| Food | Ø € Price | € Price from / to |
| Milk (1 L) | 1.37 | 1.21-1.66 |
| White bread (500g) | 1.14 | 0.72-1.38 |
| Rice (white), (1kg) | 0.60 | 0.25-1.66 |
| Eggs (12) | 1.34 | 0.99 – 1.66 |
| Local cheese (1kg) | 6.43 | 2.48 – 9.38 |
| Chicken breast fillet (1kg) | 3.23 | 1.93-4.14 |
| Beef (1kg) or other red meat | 5.61 | 3.26 – 9.66 |
| Apples (1kg) | 2.34 | 1.38-3.86 |
| Bananas (1kg) | 2.30 | 1.93-2.76 |
| Oranges (1kg) | 2.28 | 1.66-3.31 |
| Tomatoes (1kg) | 2.00 | 1.66-4.14 |
| Potatoes (1kg) | 1.15 | 0.55-1.38 |
| Onions (1kg) | 1.54 | 0.72-2.76 |
| Lettuce (1 head) | 5.45 | 1.66 – 8.83 |
| Water (1.5 l) | 0.41 | 0.33-0.55 |
| Bottle of wine (middle class) | 20.42 | 8.28-32.55 |
| Local beer (0.5 l) | 6.62 | – |
| Imported beer (0.33 l) | 8.28 | – |
Average costs for local transport, utilities, clothing, leisure, education from Malé (from 11/2019 – 10/2020)
| Mode of Transport | Ø € Price | € Price from / to |
| One-time ticket | 1.38 | 0.55-1.38 |
| Monthly pass | 39.73 | 16.55-49.66 |
| Taxi base amount | 1.38 | 1.38-3.31 |
| Taxi 1 km | 1.38 | 1.38-3.31 |
| Ancillary housing costs | Ø € Price | € Price from / to |
| for 85 sqm apartment (electricity, water, garbage, etc. | 145.73 | 110.35-193.12 |
| 1 minute prepaid mobile tariff | 0.07 | 0.05-0.08 |
| Internet (60 Mbps or more, unlimited data, cable / ADSL) | 77.93 | 46.90-115.32 |
| Clothes, shoes | Ø € Price | € Price from / to |
| Jeans (Levis 501 or similar) | 26.90 | 16.55-41.38 |
| Summer dress (Zara, H&M,… | 27.27 | 13.79-38.62 |
| Nike sports shoes, middle class | 48.79 | 24.83-110.35 |
| Leather business shoes | 55.42 | 30.35-82.76 |
| leisure time | Ø € Price | € Price from / to |
| Fitness center, month / adult | 64.49 | 27.59-82.76 |
| Tennis, 1 hour on weekends | 5.52 | 2.76-5.52 |
| a movie ticket | 6.07 | 5.52-11.04 |
| training | Ø € Price | € Price from / to |
| Preschool / Kindergarten, private, whole day, monthly per child | 137.94 | 82.76-220.70 |
| International primary school per year and child | 2,995.26 | 2,317.39-4,303.72 |
Average rental prices / purchase and salaries of Male (from 11/2019 – 10/2020)
| Monthly rental price | Ø € Price | € Price from / to |
| Apartment (1 bedroom) in the city center | 772.46 | 662.11-882.81 |
| Apartment (1 bedroom) outside the center | 579.35 | 441.41-827.64 |
| Apartment (3 bedrooms) in the city center | 1,443.77 | 1,379.40-1,655.28 |
| Apartment (3 bedrooms) outside the center | 1,161.76 | 993.17-1379.40 |
| Purchase price of apartments | Ø € Price | € Price from / to |
| Price per square meter for an apartment in the city – purchase | 2,249.95 | 1,765.63-3,034.67 |
| Price per square meter – apartment outside the center – purchase | 1,970.05 | – |
| wages | Ø € Price | € Price from / to |
| Average monthly salary (after taxes) | 598.96 | – |
