Maldives flagMVSouth Asia

Maldives

Country intelligence profile for citizenship, residency, mobility, and relocation planning. Governed values appear as sources are approved; missing values stay clearly marked.

Official name
No data yet
Languages
Dhivehi
Region
South Asia
Subregion
No data yet

Learn all about Maldives

For Americans

Available

Rating

Hard

Summary

For U.S. citizens evaluating Maldives, The American expat community in the Maldives is very small. The Maldives levies personal income tax on residents (183+ days/year) at progressive rates up to 15% on worldwide income; temporary residents (legal stay 183+ days but not married to Maldivian) are taxed only on Maldives-sourced income.

Watch out

No U.S.–Maldives tax treaty exists. No resident U.S.

Source: U.S. Department of State, Maldives Travel Advisory – U.S. State Department. Confidence: medium. Last checked: 2026-05-28.

English on the ground

Available

Rating

Easy

Summary

English usability for Americans depends on where they live: English is widely spoken in Malé, the resort industry, tourism sector, and government.

Watch out

Outside Malé and resort management circles, English may not be spoken.

Source: Arawme, Tips To Living In The Maldives As A Female Expat – Arawme. Confidence: medium. Last checked: 2026-05-28.

Cost reality

Available

Rating

Moderate

Summary

The practical cost picture for an American household is: Living costs vary sharply by location.

Watch out

Alcohol is available only on resort islands and licensed venues; transporting it to local islands is illegal.

Source: SDC International Shipping, Cost of Living in the Maldives – SDC International Shipping. Confidence: medium. Last checked: 2026-05-28.

Healthcare

Available

Rating

Hard

Summary

For Americans, healthcare planning should start with: Advanced healthcare is available only in Malé.

Watch out

Any condition beyond routine care requires evacuation to India or Sri Lanka — budget USD 5,000–15,000 for a medical evacuation flight.

Source: U.S. Department of State, Maldives Travel Advisory – U.S. State Department. Confidence: medium. Last checked: 2026-05-28.

Bureaucracy

Available

Rating

Hard

Summary

The paperwork burden for longer stays is: Long-term residency in the Maldives is genuinely difficult for Americans without local employment or substantial investment.

Watch out

Without a qualifying job or an investment of at least USD 1 million, there is no legal path to long-term residency.

Source: Department of Immigration and Emigration, Maldives, Resident Visa – Maldives Immigration (IMUGA). Confidence: medium. Last checked: 2026-05-28.

Safety

Available

Rating

Moderate

Summary

From a U.S.-traveler and resident perspective, The U.S.

Watch out

The U.S.

Source: U.S. Department of State, Maldives Travel Advisory – U.S. State Department. Confidence: medium. Last checked: 2026-05-28.

Mobility paths

Available

Rating

Hard

Summary

The main legal stay options for Americans are: Long-term residency in the Maldives is genuinely difficult for Americans without local employment or substantial investment.

Watch out

Without a qualifying job or an investment of at least USD 1 million, there is no legal path to long-term residency.

Source: Department of Immigration and Emigration, Maldives, Resident Visa – Maldives Immigration (IMUGA). Confidence: medium. Last checked: 2026-05-28.

Plan B viability

Available

Rating

Hard

Summary

As a Plan B base for Americans, Maldives works best when lifestyle fit and legal stay options match: The Maldives offers one of the world's most iconic tropical environments – low-lying coral atolls, turquoise lagoons, and warm temperatures (26–31 °C / 79–88 °F) year-round. The American expat community in the Maldives is very small.

Watch out

Without a qualifying job or an investment of at least USD 1 million, there is no legal path to long-term residency. Any condition beyond routine care requires evacuation to India or Sri Lanka — budget USD 5,000–15,000 for a medical evacuation flight. The U.S.

Source: U.S. Department of State, Maldives Travel Advisory – U.S. State Department. Confidence: medium. Last checked: 2026-05-28.

Relocation snapshot

Identity facts

Available

Capital

Available

Malé

Source: CIA, Maldives – CIA World Factbook. Confidence: medium. Last checked: 2026-05-28.

Currency

Available

Maldivian Rufiyaa (MVR); 1 USD ≈ 15.4 MVR (2026 estimate)

Source: CIA, Maldives – CIA World Factbook. Confidence: medium. Last checked: 2026-05-28.

Primary languages

Available

Dhivehi

Source: CIA, Maldives – CIA World Factbook. Confidence: medium. Last checked: 2026-05-28.

Time zones

Available

UTC+5 (no daylight saving)

Source: CIA, Maldives – CIA World Factbook. Confidence: medium. Last checked: 2026-05-28.

Driving side

Available

left

Source: CIA, Maldives – CIA World Factbook. Confidence: medium. Last checked: 2026-05-28.

Plug types

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This field is in scope and waiting on governed extraction.

Cost of living

Available

Summary

Available

Living in Malé is affordable by global standards for basic daily expenses, but housing in the capital is cramped and expensive for its size. Resort islands are luxury-priced. A single person in Malé spends approximately USD 1,450–2,000/month including rent. A family of four: USD 3,600–5,000/month. Local transport in Malé is by speedboat ferry; inter-atoll travel by domestic flight is expensive.

Source: SDC International Shipping, Cost of Living in the Maldives – SDC International Shipping. Confidence: medium. Last checked: 2026-05-28.

US reference city

Available

New York, NY

Source: SDC International Shipping, Cost of Living in the Maldives – SDC International Shipping. Confidence: medium. Last checked: 2026-05-28.

Healthcare detail

Available

System type

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This field is in scope and waiting on governed extraction.

Public/private layers

Available

Private: ADK Hospital (Malé) is the best private facility. Some resort islands have small medical centres. International insurers Cigna Global and Allianz International are widely accepted.

Source: Expat Financial, The Maldives Healthcare System & Insurance Options for Expats – Expat Financial. Confidence: medium. Last checked: 2026-05-28.

Private insurance cost

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This field is in scope and waiting on governed extraction.

Quality notes

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This field is in scope and waiting on governed extraction.

Daily life

Available

Summary

Available

Banking: Bank of Maldives (BML) is the main bank; MVR accounts required for local transactions. USD accounts available. FATCA reporting applies. FBAR required for accounts > USD 10,000.

Source: Arawme, Tips To Living In The Maldives As A Female Expat – Arawme. Confidence: medium. Last checked: 2026-05-28.

What Americans notice first

Available

Banking: Bank of Maldives (BML) is the main bank; MVR accounts required for local transactions. USD accounts available. FATCA reporting applies. FBAR required for accounts > USD 10,000.

Source: Arawme, Tips To Living In The Maldives As A Female Expat – Arawme. Confidence: medium. Last checked: 2026-05-28.

Internet quality

Available

Malé has good 4G LTE coverage. Fiber broadband is available in Malé and larger inhabited islands. Outer atolls have limited connectivity. Average download speeds 20–50 Mbps in Malé.

Source: Arawme, Tips To Living In The Maldives As A Female Expat – Arawme. Confidence: medium. Last checked: 2026-05-28.

Expat community size

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This field is in scope and waiting on governed extraction.

Climate

Available

Summary

Available

Tropical oceanic; two monsoon seasons

Source: CIA, Maldives – CIA World Factbook. Confidence: medium. Last checked: 2026-05-28.

Seasonality

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This field is in scope and waiting on governed extraction.

Plan around

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This field is in scope and waiting on governed extraction.

Passport mobility

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Visa-free count

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This field is in scope and waiting on governed extraction.

Mobility strength

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This field is in scope and waiting on governed extraction.

Dual citizenship stance

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This field is in scope and waiting on governed extraction.

Consulates

Available

Operating notes

Available

The U.S. Embassy in Malé was closed; consular services for the Maldives are provided by the U.S. Embassy in Colombo, Sri Lanka. Americans in the Maldives should enroll in STEP and maintain emergency contact with Colombo. Emergency line: +94 (11) 249-8500.

Source: U.S. Embassy in Maldives, U.S. Embassy in Maldives – Security Alert June 2025. Confidence: medium. Last checked: 2026-05-28.

Where to live

Malé

Available

Best for

Primary location for expats who work in government, international organisations, or regional business. Best infrastructure and healthcare on the islands.

Rent band

800–1,200

Description

Capital city; main administrative and commercial hub — One of the most densely populated cities in the world. High-rise residential buildings, bazaars, government offices, hospitals, banks, and international schools. Relatively affordable for the region. Cramped but vibrant.

Source: CIA, Maldives – CIA World Factbook. Confidence: medium. Last checked: 2026-05-28.

Hulhumalé

Available

Best for

Increasingly popular for expat families who want more space, newer housing stock, and direct airport access.

Rent band

700–1,000

Description

Planned satellite city; reclaimed island adjacent to Malé and airport — Purpose-built planned community on reclaimed land. More spacious and modern than Malé. Connected to airport island. Preferred by many expat families for relative openness. Still growing.

Source: ExpatWoman, Guide to living in the Maldives for expats – ExpatWoman. Confidence: medium. Last checked: 2026-05-28.

Addu City (Hithadhoo / Seenu Atoll)

Available

Best for

Suitable for expats seeking a quieter, less dense environment. Limited international schools and specialist healthcare.

Rent band

400–700

Description

Second largest city; southernmost atoll — Multi-island urban area connected by causeways in the far south of the archipelago. Historic British naval base (RAF Gan) adds cultural character. More spacious and slower-paced than Malé. Some tourism infrastructure.

Source: CIA, Maldives – CIA World Factbook. Confidence: medium. Last checked: 2026-05-28.

Fuvahmulah

Available

Best for

Niche appeal for diving enthusiasts and those seeking very off-the-beaten-path living. Limited services.

Rent band

300–600

Description

Unique single-island atoll city — Geographically unusual – a single large island constituting its own atoll. Known for world-class shark diving (tiger sharks year-round). More agricultural and self-sufficient than other atolls. Limited infrastructure.

Source: Open Government Partnership, Action plan – Fuvahmulah, Maldives, 2024–2025 – Open Government Partnership. Confidence: medium. Last checked: 2026-05-28.

Your mobility options

Work Visa (Employer-Sponsored)

Available

Description

[Employment-based residency] | Employers must obtain a Work Permit from the Ministry of Homeland Security and Technology before a foreign national arrives. On arrival, the employer applies for a Work Visa (valid as long as the Work Permit is valid). Dependents can receive a Dependent Visa via the primary permit holder's employer sponsorship. | Key requirements: Job offer from registered Maldivian employer; valid Work Permit issued by Ministry; medical clearance; passport 6+ months valid. | Approximate cost: Employer bears most costs; security deposit of single airfare required by employer. | Validity: Open-ended; valid while work permit and employment contract are active. | American-expat notes: Most viable path. Americans in resort management, NGO, or professional services can find employer-sponsored roles. FEIE applies to earned income. U.S. filing required regardless.

Source: Department of Immigration and Emigration, Maldives, Work Visa Service – Maldives Immigration. Confidence: medium. Last checked: 2026-05-28.

Resident Visa (Marriage to Maldivian Citizen)

Available

Description

[Marriage-based residency] | Foreign nationals married to a Maldivian citizen may obtain a Marriage/Resident Visa. Initially valid 1 year; renewable up to 5 years. Requires legal marriage registration, sponsorship declaration, medical report, and health insurance. | Key requirements: Legal marriage to Maldivian citizen; sponsorship declaration via IMUGA portal; health insurance; medical report (first application). | Approximate cost: MVR 50 visa card fee (~USD 3.25); minimal government fees. | Validity: 1 year initially; renewable up to 5 years. | American-expat notes: Maldivian law requires all citizens to be Muslim; marriage to a non-Muslim foreigner has legal complexities. Americans should consult qualified local legal counsel.

Source: Department of Immigration and Emigration, Maldives, Resident Visa – Maldives Immigration (IMUGA). Confidence: medium. Last checked: 2026-05-28.

Investor Residency (High Net-Worth Individuals)

Available

Description

[Investment-based residency] | Introduced to attract high-net-worth individuals. Three tiers: (1) USD 50 million+ total investment; (2) USD 1 million+ deposit at a Maldivian bank maintained for 2+ years; (3) USD 1 million+ investment in government-approved real estate projects. Provides streamlined services and residency rights for the investor and immediate family. | Key requirements: Proof of qualifying investment or deposit; clean criminal record; valid passport. | Approximate cost: Investment thresholds are the primary cost; government processing fees not published separately. | Validity: Renewable; path to long-term residency. | American-expat notes: Very high threshold effectively limits this to ultra-high-net-worth individuals. No U.S.-Maldives tax treaty; FTC available on Maldivian taxes paid.

Source: Imperial & Legal, Maldives Investor Visa 2025 – Imperial & Legal. Confidence: medium. Last checked: 2026-05-28.

Tourist Visa on Arrival (Short-Stay Only)

Available

Description

[Short-stay visitor entry] | All nationalities including Americans receive a free 30-day visa on arrival with valid passport, return/onward ticket, and proof of sufficient funds. The Department of Immigration can extend stays up to 90 days upon showing accommodation and funds. This is NOT a residency pathway; overstays of more than 60 days without authorization result in heavy fines (MVR 15,000) or deportation. | Key requirements: Valid passport; return/onward ticket; accommodation evidence; sufficient funds. | Approximate cost: No fee for initial 30 days. | Validity: 30 days; extendable to 90 days. | American-expat notes: Not usable as a long-term residency workaround. Maximum legal tourist stay is 90 days.

Source: U.S. Department of State, Maldives Travel Advisory – U.S. State Department. Confidence: medium. Last checked: 2026-05-28.

U.S. Consular Footprint

U.S. Embassy Colombo (accredited to the Maldives)

Available

Address

210 Galle Road, Colombo 03, Sri Lanka

Website

https://lk.usembassy.gov

Editorial Flags

  • No U.S.-Maldives tax treaty exists; Americans cannot use treaty provisions to reduce double taxation – only FEIE/FTC available.
  • No retirement visa or passive-income residency visa exists; Americans cannot legally stay long-term without employer sponsorship, marriage to a citizen, or qualifying investment.
  • Maldivian citizenship legally requires conversion to Islam; not a realistic pathway for most Americans.
  • The Maldives is among the world's most climate-vulnerable nations; average island elevation ~1.5 m above sea level poses long-term sea-level rise risk.
  • No resident U.S. Embassy in Malé; nearest full consular services are at the U.S. Embassy in Colombo, Sri Lanka.
  • Precise investor residency investment thresholds and government fees for the high-net-worth program should be verified directly with the Maldives Ministry of Economic Development as regulations may be updated.

Identity Facts

Capital

Available

Malé

Source: CIA, Maldives – CIA World Factbook. Confidence: medium. Last checked: 2026-05-28.

Currency

Available

Maldivian Rufiyaa (MVR); 1 USD ≈ 15.4 MVR (2026 estimate)

Source: CIA, Maldives – CIA World Factbook. Confidence: medium. Last checked: 2026-05-28.

Calling code

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This field is in scope and waiting on governed extraction.

Country Intelligence

Safety & Peace

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Personal Safety Index

Direction: lower better

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This field is in scope and waiting on governed extraction.

Cost of Living

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Cost of Living Index

Direction: lower better

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This field is in scope and waiting on governed extraction.

Cost of Rent Index

Direction: lower better

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This field is in scope and waiting on governed extraction.

Healthcare

Coming soon

Healthcare Excellence

Direction: higher better

Coming soon

Coming soon

This section is registered, but its extraction wave is not scheduled yet.

English Proficiency

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English Proficiency Index

Direction: higher better

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This field is in scope and waiting on governed extraction.

Tax & Business Environment

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Low Tax Burden

Direction: higher better

Coming soon

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This section is registered, but its extraction wave is not scheduled yet.

Business-friendly Environment

Direction: higher better

Coming soon

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This section is registered, but its extraction wave is not scheduled yet.

Economic Competitiveness

Direction: higher better

Coming soon

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This section is registered, but its extraction wave is not scheduled yet.

Economic Freedom

Direction: higher better

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This field is in scope and waiting on governed extraction.

Job Market Strength

Direction: higher better

Coming soon

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This section is registered, but its extraction wave is not scheduled yet.

Innovation & Technology Hub

Direction: higher better

Coming soon

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This section is registered, but its extraction wave is not scheduled yet.

Strong Startup Ecosystem

Direction: higher better

Coming soon

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This section is registered, but its extraction wave is not scheduled yet.

Prosperity

Direction: higher better

Coming soon

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This section is registered, but its extraction wave is not scheduled yet.

Climate

Coming soon

Climate Risk

Direction: lower better

Coming soon

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This section is registered, but its extraction wave is not scheduled yet.

Quality of Life

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Most Liveable

Direction: higher better

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This field is in scope and waiting on governed extraction.

Happiness

Direction: higher better

Coming soon

Coming soon

This section is registered, but its extraction wave is not scheduled yet.

Work-Life Balance

Direction: higher better

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This field is in scope and waiting on governed extraction.

Life Satisfaction

Direction: higher better

Coming soon

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This section is registered, but its extraction wave is not scheduled yet.

Internet Speed

Direction: higher better

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This field is in scope and waiting on governed extraction.

Traffic

Direction: lower better

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This field is in scope and waiting on governed extraction.

Education

Direction: higher better

Coming soon

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This section is registered, but its extraction wave is not scheduled yet.

Human Development Index

Direction: higher better

Coming soon

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This section is registered, but its extraction wave is not scheduled yet.

Passport & Mobility

Coming soon

Passport Strength

Direction: higher better

Coming soon

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This section is registered, but its extraction wave is not scheduled yet.

Political Stability & Rule of Law

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Political Stability

Direction: higher better

Coming soon

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This section is registered, but its extraction wave is not scheduled yet.

Rule of Law

Direction: higher better

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This field is in scope and waiting on governed extraction.

Corruption

Direction: higher better

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This field is in scope and waiting on governed extraction.

Human Freedom

Direction: higher better

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This field is in scope and waiting on governed extraction.

Freedom of Speech

Direction: higher better

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This field is in scope and waiting on governed extraction.

Property Rights

Direction: higher better

Coming soon

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This section is registered, but its extraction wave is not scheduled yet.

LGBTQ+ Rights

Direction: higher better

Coming soon

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This section is registered, but its extraction wave is not scheduled yet.

Reproductive Rights

Direction: higher better

Coming soon

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This section is registered, but its extraction wave is not scheduled yet.

Expat Acceptance

Direction: higher better

Coming soon

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This section is registered, but its extraction wave is not scheduled yet.

Mobility Programs

Citizenship by descent routes

N/A

N/A

No citizenship by descent routes are currently active for this country.

Residency routes

N/A

N/A

No residency routes are currently active for this country.

Retirement routes

N/A

N/A

No retirement routes are currently active for this country.

Work / nomad routes

N/A

N/A

No work / nomad routes are currently active for this country.

Investment / business routes

N/A

N/A

No investment / business routes are currently active for this country.

Legal & Eligibility Facts

Citizenship by birth

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This field is in scope and waiting on governed extraction.

Legal review required

Citizenship by descent

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This field is in scope and waiting on governed extraction.

Legal review required

CBD pathway

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This field is in scope and waiting on governed extraction.

Legal review required

Citizenship by marriage

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This field is in scope and waiting on governed extraction.

Legal review required

Dual citizenship

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This field is in scope and waiting on governed extraction.

Legal review required

Naturalization residency years

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This field is in scope and waiting on governed extraction.

Legal review required

Mandatory military service

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This field is in scope and waiting on governed extraction.

Legal review required

Tax residency threshold days

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This field is in scope and waiting on governed extraction.

Legal review required

Sources

  • U.S. Department of State

    Maldives Travel Advisory – U.S. State Department

    Confidence: medium | Last checked: 2026-05-28

    Open source

  • Department of Immigration and Emigration, Maldives

    Resident Visa – Maldives Immigration

    Confidence: medium | Last checked: 2026-05-28

    Open source

  • Department of Immigration and Emigration, Maldives

    Work Visa Service – Maldives Immigration

    Confidence: medium | Last checked: 2026-05-28

    Open source

  • Maldives Inland Revenue Authority

    Income Tax FAQ – MIRA

    Confidence: medium | Last checked: 2026-05-28

    Open source

  • Expat Financial

    The Maldives Healthcare System – Expat Financial

    Confidence: medium | Last checked: 2026-05-28

    Open source

  • Pacific Prime

    The Maldives Health Insurance for Expats – Pacific Prime

    Confidence: medium | Last checked: 2026-05-28

    Open source

  • Imperial & Legal

    Maldives Investor Visa 2025 – Imperial & Legal

    Confidence: medium | Last checked: 2026-05-28

    Open source

  • SDC International Shipping

    Cost of Living in the Maldives – SDC International Shipping

    Confidence: medium | Last checked: 2026-05-28

    Open source

  • CIA

    Maldives – CIA World Factbook

    Confidence: medium | Last checked: 2026-05-28

    Open source

  • Internal Revenue Service

    Foreign Earned Income Exclusion – IRS

    Confidence: medium | Last checked: 2026-05-28

    Open source

  • Maldives Inland Revenue Authority

    Income Tax FAQ – Maldives Inland Revenue Authority (MIRA)

    Confidence: medium | Last checked: 2026-05-28

    Open source

  • U.S. Embassy Maldives

    U.S. Tax Season Reminder – U.S. Embassy in Maldives

    Confidence: medium | Last checked: 2026-05-28

    Open source

  • Arawme

    Tips To Living In The Maldives As A Female Expat – Arawme

    Confidence: medium | Last checked: 2026-05-28

    Open source

  • Numbeo

    Numbeo Cost of Living Index by Country 2026

    Confidence: medium | Last checked: 2026-05-28

    Open source

  • Expat Financial

    The Maldives Healthcare System & Insurance Options for Expats – Expat Financial

    Confidence: medium | Last checked: 2026-05-28

    Open source

  • Department of Immigration and Emigration, Maldives

    Resident Visa – Maldives Immigration (IMUGA)

    Confidence: medium | Last checked: 2026-05-28

    Open source

  • Imperial & Legal

    Maldives Investor Visa 2025: How to Get Residency by Investment

    Confidence: medium | Last checked: 2026-05-28

    Open source

  • La Vida Golden Visas

    Maldives Golden Visa – La Vida Golden Visas

    Confidence: medium | Last checked: 2026-05-28

    Open source

  • Maldives National Bureau of Statistics

    Population Movement & Migration in Maldives – Census 2022

    Confidence: medium | Last checked: 2026-05-28

    Open source

  • U.S. Embassy in Maldives

    U.S. Embassy in Maldives – Security Alert June 2025

    Confidence: medium | Last checked: 2026-05-28

    Open source

  • ExpatWoman

    Guide to living in the Maldives for expats – ExpatWoman

    Confidence: medium | Last checked: 2026-05-28

    Open source

  • Open Government Partnership

    Action plan – Fuvahmulah, Maldives, 2024–2025 – Open Government Partnership

    Confidence: medium | Last checked: 2026-05-28

    Open source

  • Scribd (Maldives Ministry of Homeland Security)

    Maldives Work Permit Application Guide

    Confidence: medium | Last checked: 2026-05-28

    Open source