Maldives — Complete Emigration Guide 2026
515,132 people · Capital: Malé · Southern Asia
Updated H2 2026 · Compiled from official government sources, re-checked on a rolling basis
Overview
Maldives is located in Southern Asia, with a population of 515,132. Its currency is the Maldivian rufiyaa. Our database tracks 6 visa pathways for Maldives, each linked to a named source.
See also: Maldives country profile
Compiled from official government sources, re-checked on a rolling basis. See our methodology and data sources.
Visa Pathways (6)
Sponsored Employment (1)
| Programme | Min Income | Fee | Duration | Processing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Work Visa | — | — | 12 mo | 15d |
Investment / Golden Visa (1)
| Programme | Min Income | Fee | Duration | Processing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Corporate Resident Visa | €101/mo | €918 | 60 mo | 30d |
Family Reunification (3)
| Programme | Min Income | Fee | Duration | Processing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dependent Visa | — | €49 | — | 5d |
| Marriage Visa | — | €3 | 12 mo | — |
| Resident Visa | — | €3 | 12 mo | — |
Business Visit (1)
| Programme | Min Income | Fee | Duration | Processing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Business Visa | — | — | 3 mo | 30d |
Cost of Living
| Item | Maldives | W. Europe Avg | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (1BR) | €1,200 | €1,200 | 0% |
| Rent (3BR) | €2,200 | €2,000 | +10% |
| Groceries | €450 | €350 | +29% |
| Transport | €35 | €80 | -56% |
| Utilities | €180 | €150 | +20% |
| Dining (meal) | €12 | €15 | -20% |
Salary & Employment
| Sector | Median (gross, €/yr) |
|---|---|
| Construction | €15,000 |
| Education | €12,000 |
| Engineering | €22,000 |
| Finance | €25,000 |
| Healthcare | €16,500 |
| Hospitality | €11,000 |
| IT | €28,000 |
| Retail | €9,500 |
Shortage Occupations
- Healthcare Professionals (Healthcare)
- Construction Skilled Workers (Construction)
- IT Specialists (Information Technology)
Tax
Healthcare
Education
| University | QS Rank | English Progs | Tuition (Intl) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maldives National University | — | 12 | €4,500 |
| Middlesex University Mauritius (regional campus) | 401 | 28 | €8,500 |
| Islamic University of Maldives | — | 10 | €3,800 |
| Maldives Polytechnic | — | 8 | €3,200 |
| Villa College | — | 18 | €6,200 |
Practical Info
Banking
Driving
Phone & Internet
Credentials
Quality of Life
Official sources
The visa data on this page is compiled from official government sources — 5 of the 5 pathways link directly to the government page they were verified against, and 5 financial requirements below carry the exact quote from the official source. Values that fail verification are removed, not guessed — see the live verification freshness index.
- immigration.gov.mv · 1 pathway · verified 2026-06-23
- immigration.gov.mv · 1 pathway · verified 2026-06-24
- immigration.gov.mv · 1 pathway · verified 2026-06-23
- immigration.gov.mv · 1 pathway · verified 2026-06-23
- immigration.gov.mv · 1 pathway · verified 2026-06-23
Verified requirements — exact official citations
Each figure below was verified verbatim against the official page linked, on the date shown.
Marriage Visa · 2 verified requirements
Requirement: “1 yr initial, up to 5 yr renewals; MVR 50 card fee; immigration.gov.mv” — immigration.gov.mv
Minimum income: “Documents Required: Application for Permit Extension Form (IM23) ... Marriage Certificate ... Medical health screening report ... Health insurance — lista de documentos não inclui requisito de rendimento/poupança.” — immigration.gov.mv
Business Visa · 1 verified requirement
Requirement: “Business visa applications must be submitted to the Ministry of Economic Development through the Business Portal. After ministerial review, Maldives Immigration verifies and processes the application (no fee amount published)” — immigration.gov.mv, 2026-07-07
Dependent Visa · 1 verified requirement
Requirement: “Fee MVR 750 + MVR 50 card; 2021 (immigration.gov.mv)” — immigration.gov.mv
Resident Visa · 1 verified requirement
Minimum income: “Documents Required: Application Form (IM23), passport copy, arrival stamp, marriage certificate, Maldivian spouse's ID, photo, medical report, health insurance — no income/financial requirement listed (MVR 50 is the visa card fee).” — immigration.gov.mv
Frequently Asked Questions
How many visa pathways does Maldives have?
Our database tracks 6 visa pathways for Maldives across 4 categories, the largest being Family Reunification, Investment / Golden Visa, Business Visit. Each entry links directly to an official government source.
What is the minimum income for the Corporate Resident Visa?
The Corporate Resident Visa lists a minimum income of EUR 101 per month, according to the official source (last checked 2026-06-09).
What is the average salary in Maldives?
The average gross salary in Maldives is EUR 646 per month. The statutory minimum wage is EUR 319 per month.
How much does rent cost in Maldives?
A one-bedroom apartment in Maldives averages EUR 1,200 per month, and a three-bedroom apartment averages EUR 2,200 per month.
What is the top income tax rate in Maldives?
The top personal income tax rate in Maldives is 0%. The standard VAT rate is 6%.
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