Bill submitted to Parliament to streamline island residency process
23 ޖޫން 2026 | އަންގާރަ 12:08An amendment has been proposed to the "Act on Becoming a Resident of a Maldivian Island" to streamline the process for individuals who own land or housing on an island to obtain residency there. Under this amendment, individuals who acquire property through inheritance, purchase, or housing projects would be granted the option to transfer their residency without being subject to the current five-year waiting period. This change aims to address the country's current socio-economic landscape by removing existing legal barriers to obtaining local residency.
Mohamed Ibrahim (Kudoo), Member of Parliament for the North Galolhu constituency. | Majilis
A bill has been introduced to the People’s Majlis to establish a streamlined mechanism for individuals who own land or residential property on an island to easily obtain residency in that jurisdiction.
The bill, introduced to Parliament by Mohamed Ibrahim (Kudoo), the Member for North Galolhu, proposes amendments to the Maldives Resident Registration Act. The primary objective of the bill is to revise the existing legal requirements for obtaining island residency, aiming to streamline the process and provide greater ease for citizens.
Under the current law, individuals are only eligible to register as residents of an island if they have resided there continuously for a period of five years. However, the proposed amendment in this bill seeks to establish a mechanism that would allow individuals who own residential land or property on an island to obtain residency more easily.
According to the bill, any citizen registered in a specific island who acquires land or a legal right of residency in another island—whether through inheritance, land division, purchase, gift, court ruling, or a government housing project—shall have the option to apply for residency in that island.
Upon submission of official documentation proving the applicant’s entitlement to such rights, the relevant authorities shall register the individual as a resident of the island, provided it is verified that the land, house, flat, or dwelling is suitable for habitation.
Upon successful registration, the individual will be removed from the civil registry of their previous island of residence. Furthermore, no person shall be permitted to hold residency registration in more than one island simultaneously.
The bill stipulates that regulations formulated under this legislation must outline the required documentation, application procedures, and the authority responsible for making determinations. Furthermore, these regulations must establish the protocols for transferring the residency of children under legal guardianship.
The bill stipulates that the necessary amendments to the law must be formulated and published in the Government Gazette within a maximum of three months from its effective date. The law will come into effect once it is passed, ratified, and published in the Government Gazette.
The primary objective of this bill is to strengthen the legal framework in alignment with contemporary socio-economic conditions.
