Travel Work

Maldives Presents New 2025 Work Visa System For International Workers

The Maldives has introduced a new and enhanced work visa system for 2025, making it quicker and simpler for international citizens to obtain lawful employment in the country.

The updated Maldives work visa procedure currently utilizes the Xpat Portal and Ant Queue app to provide quicker authorizations, shorter durations, and a completely digital system, making it faster and simpler for international employees to begin their employment.

The new request procedure intends to make the system more efficient and transparent for international employees and employers.

One of the key updates is the enforcement of a 15-day law, which requires employers to apply for an international employee visa within 15 days of their arrival with a valid work permit, ensuring quick, lawful processing.

To eradicate paperwork and facilitate the procedure, all Work Vosa requests must be currently presented online through the formal Xpat Portal at workpermit.egov.mv. This centralized structure supersedes manual presentations, allowing for simpler document management and tracking.

Visa Procedure And Application Steps

  • Go To The Xpat Portal

To make an application, visit the Xpat Portal at workpermit.egov.mv and search for your profile using your work permit or passport code.

  • Present A New Work Visa Application

After checking the profile, pick “New Work Visa” under the ‘Visa’ tab. Align the visa period with your work permit, upload a passport photo and the bio-data page, and then submit your request.

  • Fixing Incomplete Or Refused Requests

If the request is refused or incomplete, the employer can visit the Xpat Portal, review the reason, address the issue, re-upload documents, and resubmit.

What Is New

Employers are currently required to apply for a work visa within 15 days of an international worker’s arrival in the Maldives, provided they have a valid work permit, ensuring timely and compliant processing.

  • Every work visa request must be presented through the formal Xpat Portal (workpermit.egov.mv), superseding manual paperwork with a facilitated digital system for quicker processing and enhanced tracking.
  • The Ant Queue app currently enables real-time appointment booking and token-based presentations, streamlining the authorization and document process for quicker and more accurate results.
  • Under the new laws, no international citizen is permitted to exit the Maldives without an authentic work visa stamped in their passport. This standard is designed to ensure total adherence to immigration rules and provide better security for international employees.

The 2025 Maldives Work Visa update introduces an entirely digital, deadline-driven system to streamline the procedure, reduce delays, and ensure easier access for international employees and their employers.