--- title: "Moving to Maldives 2026: visas, requirements and tax" url: https://settleanywhere.com/countries/maldives/ lang: en updated: 2026-10-12 --- A jetty across the lagoon to overwater villas on Thudufushi, Ari Atoll # Moving to Maldives 3 ways to move to Maldives in our guide: 1 investor route, 1 work visa, 1 spouse visa. No digital nomad visa. Smallest investment: [Corporate resident visa](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/maldives/corporate-resident/), from $250k. Tax for newcomers: [Temporary residents taxed on Maldives-derived income only](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/maldives/tax/), Territorial (temporary resident). Checked against official sources on 12 October 2026. **Smallest investment needed:** **from $250k** Corporate resident visa **Longest first stay:** **1 year** Work visa **Tax angle:** **Territorial (temporary resident)** Temporary residents taxed on Maldives-derived income only The Maldives offers a distinct route for foreign investors through its Corporate Resident Visa. This long-term resident visa is designed for those who meet specific statutory investment alternatives and apply via the ONEGov portal. Foreign investors seeking long-term residency Individuals meeting statutory investment criteria Those who can navigate the ONEGov application process Investors not seeking immediate employment rights ## Investing · 1 ### [Corporate resident visa](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/maldives/corporate-resident/) **Investment needed:** from $250k Needs money in the bank [Details](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/maldives/corporate-resident/) ## Work · 1 ### [Work visa](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/maldives/work-visa/) **First stay:** 1 yr [Details](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/maldives/work-visa/) ## Spouse visas · 1 For people married to, or in a partnership with, a citizen or permanent resident. ### [Spouse of a citizen](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/maldives/spouse-of-citizen/) **First stay:** 1 yr Needs health cover [Details](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/maldives/spouse-of-citizen/) ## Tax Tax treatment depends on your residency status. Temporary residents—foreigners who meet residence criteria, are permitted to stay under the Immigration Act, and are not married to a Maldivian—are taxed only on income derived from the Maldives. Residents, by contrast, are taxed on worldwide income. Non-residents are those who are neither residents nor temporary residents. Personal income tax is progressive, with rates starting at zero up to a threshold and increasing thereafter. Note that visas and tax are separate matters; this is general information, not legal advice. Special regime ### [Temporary residents taxed on Maldives-derived income only](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/maldives/tax/#tax-mv-temporary-resident-source-basis) Tax relief Foreign-source income: Territorial (temporary resident) **Details** - On: Income derived from the Maldives for temporary residents and non-residents - Who: Foreigner permitted to stay in the Maldives under the Maldives Immigration Act Foreigners who meet the residence criteria, are permitted to stay under the Immigration Act and are not married to a Maldivian are temporary residents, taxed only on income derived from the Maldives, while residents are taxed on worldwide income. #### Taxed on Income derived from the Maldives for temporary residents and non-residents; worldwide income for residents. #### Who it applies to - Foreigner permitted to stay in the Maldives under the Maldives Immigration Act. - Not married to a Maldivian. - Meets a residence criterion: permanent place of living in the Maldives, or present or intending to be present more than 183 days in a 12-month period commencing or ending in the tax year. #### Exclusions - Foreigners married to a Maldivian who meet the residence criteria are residents taxed on worldwide income. #### Days in the country - More than 183 days in any 12-month period commencing or ending in the tax year · Presence (or intended presence) makes a person resident; foreigners meeting the other conditions become temporary residents #### Tax residence Non-residents are persons who are neither residents nor temporary residents. #### Visas The Immigration Act permission to stay is one of the conditions for temporary-resident status. #### Other taxes Goods and services tax and other fees apply separately. Checked against official sources on 12 Oct 2026 [Change log](https://settleanywhere.com/changes/) [Full page →](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/maldives/tax/) Standard rules ### [Maldives personal income tax brackets](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/maldives/tax/#tax-mv-ordinary-brackets) Progressive rates **Details** - Limit: MVR 720k/yr ≈ $47k Maldives personal income tax is progressive: 0% up to MVR 720,000, (≈ $46,600) 5.5%, 8%, 12% and 15% above MVR 2,400,000 (≈ $155,000) of taxable income in an accounting period. #### Taxed on Taxable income of individuals (remuneration, business, rental, capital gains, dividends, interest, royalties and other income); residents on worldwide income, temporary residents and non-residents on Maldives-derived income. #### Limits - MVR 720,000 a year (≈ $46,600) · Taxable income up to this amount is taxed at 0% - MVR 1,200,000 a year (≈ $77,700) · Income above 720,000 up to this amount taxed at 5.5% - MVR 1,800,000 a year (≈ $117,000) · Income above 1,200,000 up to this amount taxed at 8% - MVR 2,400,000 a year (≈ $155,000) · Income above 1,800,000 up to this amount taxed at 12%; above it 15% #### Tax residence Income tax under Law 25/2019 started 1 January 2020; remuneration became taxable from 1 April 2020. #### Visas Independent of visa type; see temporary-resident treatment. #### Other taxes Goods and services tax is levied separately. Checked against official sources on 12 Oct 2026 [Change log](https://settleanywhere.com/changes/) [Full page →](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/maldives/tax/) Checked against official sources on 12 Oct 2026 [Change log](https://settleanywhere.com/changes/) **No digital nomad visa in Maldives.** Remote workers usually look at [Corporate resident visa](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/maldives/corporate-resident/), or [nomad visas elsewhere](https://settleanywhere.com/visas/digital-nomad/). ## Arriving in Maldives: first steps 1. Ensure you have valid health insurance coverage for your stay. 2. Secure a residential address and provide proof of it as required. 3. Open a local bank account for financial transactions. 4. Complete any necessary registration with immigration authorities. 5. Apply for a work visa or permit separately if you will be employed. 6. Familiarize yourself with the ONEGov portal for applications and renewals. ## Questions people ask ### How much do you need to invest for residency in Maldives? Maldives has 1 investor route. [Corporate resident visa](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/maldives/corporate-resident/) asks for an investment from $250,000. ### What work visas does Maldives offer foreigners? Maldives has 1 work visa. [Work visa](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/maldives/work-visa/) gives a first stay of 1 year that can be renewed. ### Can I join my spouse or partner in Maldives? Yes. Maldives has 1 spouse visa. [Spouse of a citizen](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/maldives/spouse-of-citizen/) gives a first stay of 1 year that can be renewed. ### Does Maldives have a special tax regime for new residents? Yes: [Temporary residents taxed on Maldives-derived income only](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/maldives/tax/). Foreigners who meet the residence criteria, are permitted to stay under the Immigration Act and are not married to a Maldivian are temporary residents, taxed only on income derived from the Maldives, while residents are taxed on worldwide income. It is separate from the visa and has its own conditions. ## Compare with [🇹🇭 Thailand](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/thailand/) [🇯🇵 Japan](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/japan/) [🇮🇩 Indonesia](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/indonesia/) [🇦🇪 United Arab Emirates](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/united-arab-emirates/) [🇸🇬 Singapore](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/singapore/) [🇲🇾 Malaysia](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/malaysia/) [🇻🇳 Vietnam](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/vietnam/) [🇰🇷 South Korea](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/south-korea/) ≈ USD figures are approximate: daily reference rates from ExchangeRate-API, dated 12 Oct 2026, refreshed when the site is updated.