Foreigners on Business or Special Visas Can No Longer Switch to Work Visas in Maldives
15 ސެޕްޓެމްބަރު 2026 | އަންގާރަ 07:53The Ministry of Homeland Security and Technology has announced that, effective September 15, foreign nationals entering the Maldives on business or special visas will no longer be permitted to convert to a work visa, a measure aimed at curbing the misuse of business visas. Employers have been notified that individuals holding these visa categories will be barred from applying for work permits through the "Expat System," requiring them to follow standard recruitment procedures from abroad.
Foreign nationals entering the Maldives on business or special visas will no longer be permitted to switch to a work visa while remaining in the country. | Maldives Immigration
Foreign nationals entering the Maldives on business or special visas are no longer permitted to switch to a work visa while remaining in the country.
The Ministry of Home Affairs stated in a public announcement that the Business Visa is issued for instances where professional expertise is required from abroad for short-term business-related purposes.
However, the Ministry of Homeland Security and Technology noted in its announcement that some businesses have been observed misusing business visas to bring individuals into the Maldives before converting them to work visas, in an attempt to expedite the work permit process.
Consequently, the announcement states that to reform current procedures, foreign nationals entering the Maldives on business or special visas will no longer be permitted to switch to a work visa while remaining in the country, effective September 15, 2026. Furthermore, all employers have been notified that individuals who have entered the Maldives under these visa categories will be ineligible to apply for work permits through the "Expat System."
