Asia · Arrival Guide
Just Landed in Maldives? Your First 7 Days
The Maldives is a nation of scattered atolls where almost everything official runs through Malé, one of the most densely packed capitals on earth, connected to the airport island of Hulhulé and the reclaimed city of Hulhumalé by bridge. Your work permit and residence are tied to your employer, who sponsors your visa and handles the medical, so your first weeks are about getting your digital work visa confirmed, a local SIM, a bank account and a room. Life splits sharply between the Malé region, where most expat jobs and services sit, and the resort islands, where staff live on-site; English will carry you through nearly everything in the capital.
911
Police 119 · Ambulance 102 · Fire 118
Malé
Maldivian rufiyaa (MVR)
Dhivehi (official); English is widely spoken in Malé, in business, banking, resorts, healthcare and government offices
+960
Getting your bearings in Maldives
Arriving in the Maldives feels like landing in a country that has almost no spare space. Malé, the capital, packs well over a hundred thousand people onto roughly two square kilometres, so the streets are a wall of scooters, narrow shopfronts and tall concrete blocks with no gardens and little pavement. Most newcomers arrive at Velana International Airport on Hulhulé island, cross the Sinamalé (China-Maldives Friendship) Bridge, and spend their first days trying to find a room, a SIM and a bank in a city where nothing is more than a ten-minute walk apart but everything is crowded. The reclaimed city of Hulhumalé, a short bridge or bus ride away, is where a growing number of expats actually live: newer, larger and slightly cheaper flats in exchange for a commute.
The language reality is friendlier than the map suggests. Dhivehi is the national language and written in the right-to-left Thaana script, so signs and official forms can look impenetrable at first, but English is genuinely widespread. You can bank, see a doctor, sign a lease, deal with immigration and order food entirely in English in the Malé region, and most younger Maldivians switch to it easily. Outside the capital and away from resorts, English thins out and a few words of Dhivehi go a long way.
The pace is a mix of relaxed island rhythm and bureaucratic patience. The working week runs Sunday to Thursday, with Friday and Saturday as the weekend, and Friday midday prayers bring the city to a near standstill. This is a conservative Muslim country: alcohol and pork are banned on all inhabited islands including Malé, most people dress modestly, and the daily call to prayer punctuates the day. What surprises newcomers most is the contrast between the postcard resorts they imagined and the intense, workaday urbanism of Malé itself, and how completely your legal life is bound to your employer rather than to any personal registration you do yourself.
Your first 48 hours
The essentials to sort out the moment you land in Maldives.
- 1
Confirm your employer is processing your work visa
Your employer applies for your work permit and work visa through the Xpat system (xpat.egov.mv) and Maldives Immigration. Since 23 November 2025 the work visa is fully digital, so there is no longer a sticker placed in your passport; only an approved e-Visa is valid. Chase your employer in week one, because you cannot open a bank account, get a postpaid SIM or legally start work until it is issued.
- 2
Complete the mandatory medical check
All work-permit holders must pass a health screening, typically blood tests and a chest X-ray, at an approved clinic such as ADK or IGMH. Your employer usually books and pays for it. The medical clearance is a condition of issuing your work visa and is repeated when you renew, so keep the results.
- 3
Buy a local SIM at Velana International Airport
Dhiraagu and Ooredoo Maldives both have counters in the arrivals hall on Hulhulé island. A prepaid tourist SIM activates on your passport within minutes and gives you data and calls straight away. Once your work permit comes through you can switch to a postpaid plan or add home fibre, which need your residence details.
- 4
Cross to Malé or Hulhumalé and get cash
ATMs in the airport dispense both rufiyaa and US dollars. Take the public ferry to Malé (about 10 minutes) or a bridge taxi to Malé or Hulhumalé across the Sinamalé Bridge. Ride-hailing apps such as Pick Me and Ryde cover the bridge-linked islands, and MTCC buses run the same routes cheaply.
- 5
Withdraw rufiyaa and split your cash
Bank of Maldives (BML) has the widest ATM network and dispenses both currencies. Keep a stock of small rufiyaa notes, because ferries, market stalls, local cafés and many taxis do not take cards. US dollars are useful for bigger purchases but you will usually get change back in rufiyaa at roughly 15.4 to the dollar.
- 6
Sort somewhere to sleep for the first nights
If your employer does not house you, book a guesthouse in Malé or Hulhumalé for the first week rather than committing to a lease sight unseen. This buys you time to view rooms in person, compare Malé's cramped central flats against Hulhumalé's newer blocks, and avoid the deposit scams that target new arrivals.
- 7
Register with your embassy or nearest mission
Most countries have no embassy in Malé and are accredited from Colombo or New Delhi. Enrol online with your home country's mission covering the Maldives so you are traceable and reachable if you lose your passport or an emergency arises. Save the mission's phone number and email offline.
- 8
Save the emergency and key hospital numbers
The Maldives now uses 911 as a unified national emergency number, and the older lines still work: 119 for police, 102 for ambulance and 118 for fire. Store these along with the direct numbers for IGMH and ADK casualty in Malé, and your employer's HR contact.
Your first week checklist
- Confirm in writing that your employer has submitted your work visa in the Xpat system and lodged the e-Visa with Maldives Immigration, and ask them for a copy of the approval.
- Book and complete your mandatory medical screening (blood tests and chest X-ray) at an approved centre such as ADK or IGMH, which is required before your work visa can be issued.
- Buy a prepaid SIM from Dhiraagu or Ooredoo at the airport arrivals hall or a Malé shop, using your passport, so you have data and a local number immediately.
- Withdraw rufiyaa from a Bank of Maldives (BML) ATM and keep a mix of small notes for ferries, cafés and taxis that do not take cards.
- Find accommodation: view any Malé or Hulhumalé room in person before paying, and confirm what the rent includes before signing an annual lease.
- Open a Bank of Maldives expatriate account once your work permit has at least one month of validity, bringing your passport, work permit and employer letter.
- Register your presence with your home country's embassy or the mission accredited to the Maldives (often in Colombo or New Delhi) so you are reachable in an emergency.
- Download the essentials: your bank app, Pick Me or Ryde for taxis, and the Dhiraagu or Ooredoo app to manage your SIM and pay bills.
- Learn your bearings on foot: locate your nearest BML branch, a pharmacy, IGMH or ADK hospital, and the MTCC ferry and bus stops for your commute.
Getting connected
Mobile coverage is strong across Malé, Hulhumalé and inhabited islands, with widespread 4G and expanding 5G in the capital region. The two operators are Dhiraagu and Ooredoo Maldives, and both have airport counters and city shops. A prepaid tourist SIM is instant on your passport, while postpaid plans and home fibre broadband need your work permit and residence details, so most newcomers start prepaid and upgrade later.
Typical cost: Prepaid data SIM from around 200-500 MVR/month depending on the data bundle; unlimited home fibre broadband roughly 700-1,200 MVR/month depending on speed and provider.
Money & banking
The rufiyaa trades at a stable rate of about 15.4 MVR to 1 USD, and dollars circulate freely alongside rufiyaa, especially in tourism. Cards and contactless work in most Malé and Hulhumalé shops, supermarkets and restaurants, though smaller islands, ferries and local cafés often prefer cash. Note that a US dollar shortage in the formal banking system means banks sometimes limit dollar withdrawals, so plan larger foreign-currency needs ahead.
Opening an account: To open an account you need your passport, a work permit with at least one month of validity remaining, and usually an employer letter. Bank of Maldives (BML) is the largest and most branch-heavy and offers a dedicated Expatriate Account in MVR, USD, INR, CNY and EUR. Other options include Maldives Islamic Bank (MIB), State Bank of India and HSBC for those who qualify.
Cash: Malé and Hulhumalé are largely card-friendly, but keep rufiyaa cash for local cafés, ferries, markets and the smaller islands where card machines are rare. US dollars are accepted in many tourism-linked places, but change is normally given in rufiyaa, so agree the currency before you pay.
Tipping: Not obligatory. Resorts and upmarket restaurants add a 10% service charge plus 16-17% GST, so extra tipping is optional. In local Malé eateries rounding up is enough; small tips for resort staff, housekeeping and boat crews are appreciated but never expected.
Registration & residency
Legal stay for workers runs entirely through your employer, who registers you in the Xpat system with the Ministry of Homeland Security and applies to Maldives Immigration for a work permit and a work visa. Since late November 2025 the work visa is issued digitally as an e-Visa rather than a passport sticker. There is no separate personal address-registration office as in Europe, and you do not visit a counter yourself; your status is tied to your sponsor and job, and you must not work for anyone other than the employer named on your permit.
Deadline: No fixed personal deadline to attend an office, but the work permit and e-Visa must be issued and valid before your entry permit or arrival stamp lapses, normally within the first weeks, and you should not begin work until they are confirmed.
Where: Maldives Immigration and the Ministry of Homeland Security via the Xpat online system (xpat.egov.mv); your employer submits the application, uploads your medical clearance and pays the fees on your behalf.
Documents to keep handy:
- Passport valid for at least six months, plus several photocopies of the photo page and your entry stamp.
- Your employment contract and any offer or appointment letter from your Maldivian employer.
- Passport-sized photographs (bring 6-8) for the work permit, bank account and medical paperwork.
- Educational and professional certificates, ideally attested, if your role or licence requires them.
- Your work permit or e-Visa approval reference once issued, which you will need to open a bank account and sign a lease.
- Proof of home address or an employer accommodation letter, useful for the bank and for postpaid SIM and utility connections.
Getting around
Malé is tiny and walkable; residents mostly walk, ride scooters or take taxis. The Sinamalé (China-Maldives Friendship) Bridge links Malé, Hulhulé (the airport) and Hulhumalé, served by MTCC buses and taxis, while public ferries and speedboats connect the wider atolls. There is no metro or rail, and driving in central Malé is dominated by scooters.
From the airport: Velana International Airport sits on Hulhulé, a short hop from Malé. Options are the public ferry to Malé (about 10 minutes for a few rufiyaa), a bridge taxi to Malé or Hulhumalé, the cheap MTCC airport bus across the bridge, or a resort speedboat or seaplane transfer if you are heading straight to an island. Taxis across the bridge are metered but confirm the fare and currency first.
Finding a home
Malé is severely overcrowded, so most newcomers rent small flats or shared rooms; Hulhumalé offers newer, larger and slightly cheaper flats in exchange for a longer bridge commute. Leases are usually annual and arranged through agents, Facebook groups or word of mouth, and many employers house staff directly, either on-site at resorts or in shared apartments in the capital.
Typical rent: A one-bedroom flat in central Malé runs roughly 12,000-25,000 MVR/month, with shared rooms far cheaper; Hulhumalé is often somewhat lower for more space. Expect to negotiate and to see wide variation by building age and floor.
Deposit norm: Expect one to three months' rent upfront as deposit plus advance, and landlords frequently ask for several months in advance. Water and electricity (STELCO in the Malé region, Fenaka on many other islands) are usually billed on top, so confirm whether utilities are included before signing.
Healthcare
Healthcare concentrates in Malé at Indira Gandhi Memorial Hospital (IGMH, the main public hospital) and ADK Hospital (the leading private hospital), with Hulhumalé Hospital serving the reclaimed city and smaller health centres on other islands. Complex or specialist cases are often referred abroad to India or Sri Lanka, and standards outside the capital are basic, so most expats keep their serious care within the Malé region.
How to access it: Walk in to IGMH, ADK or a private clinic in Malé for consultations; bring your passport and any insurance card, and expect to pay upfront and claim back. For emergencies call 911 or 102 for an ambulance, or go straight to IGMH or ADK casualty, which are both open around the clock.
Insurance: Employers must typically provide health cover for work-permit holders, but the public Aasandha scheme is for Maldivian citizens only, so do not assume it covers you. Confirm in writing exactly what your employer's policy includes, and take out private international insurance that covers medical evacuation and treatment abroad, since serious cases are flown to Colombo or India.
Culture & etiquette
- The Maldives is a Muslim country and Islam is the state religion; dress modestly in Malé and inhabited islands, keep beachwear to resorts and designated bikini beaches, and cover shoulders and knees in public.
- During Ramadan, do not eat, drink or smoke in public during daylight hours; many local cafés close until sunset, working hours shorten, and evenings become lively after the iftar meal.
- Alcohol and pork are banned on all inhabited islands, including Malé, and are only available on resort islands and a few licensed airport-hotel bars; never bring alcohol into the capital.
- Greet with a handshake, and use your right hand for giving, receiving and eating; some Maldivians prefer not to shake hands with the opposite sex, so follow their lead.
- Remove your shoes when entering homes and mosques, and dress especially conservatively around Friday midday prayers when the city quietens.
- Public displays of affection are frowned upon, and modest, respectful behaviour in public spaces is the norm.
- Learn a few words of Dhivehi such as 'shukuriyyaa' (thank you); it is not needed to get by but is warmly received.
Things to watch out for
- Importing alcohol, pork, religious idols or items of other faiths, and drugs is illegal and taken very seriously at customs, with severe penalties for narcotics.
- The weekend is Friday-Saturday; plan government, banking and immigration errands around Sunday-Thursday and before Friday midday prayers.
- Public criticism of Islam, proselytising other religions, or open same-sex relationships can carry legal consequences.
- Malé's streets are packed with scooters and there is little pavement; watch traffic constantly as a pedestrian and take care crossing.
- Working for anyone other than the employer named on your permit, or overstaying your visa, can lead to fines and deportation.
Apps to download before you land
BML Mobile Pay
Bank of Maldives app for payments, transfers and paying bills once you hold a local account
Pick Me
Ride-hailing and taxi booking across Malé, Hulhulé and Hulhumalé
Ryde
Alternative ride-hailing and taxi app for the bridge-linked islands
Dhiraagu / Ooredoo
Operator apps to manage your SIM, top up data and pay mobile and broadband bills
Google Maps
Navigation on foot and by taxi around Malé and Hulhumalé
MTCC Public Transport
Ferry and bus timetables and bookings for the Malé region and inter-atoll routes
eFaas
National digital identity used to log in to government services such as the Xpat portal
Where newcomers live
For most working expats the choice is really Malé versus Hulhumalé, with resort staff living on their island. Malé is central and walkable but cramped and expensive per square metre; Hulhumalé is newer, greener and roomier but a bridge commute away. Within Malé, the traditional wards each have their own feel, and Villingili offers a quieter, low-rise ferry-connected option close to the capital.
Malé (Henveiru & Maafannu wards)
The dense, central heart of the capital with offices, shops, cafés and the busiest streets. Flats are small and pricey, but everything is a short walk away and you are close to banks, hospitals and government offices.
Hulhumalé Phase 1
Established reclaimed city with wider roads, a proper beach, supermarkets and a strong expat presence. Flats are newer and larger than Malé for a little less, with a 20-30 minute bus or taxi commute over the bridge.
Hulhumalé Phase 2 (Hiyaa flats)
The newest high-rise district, built to ease Malé's overcrowding, with towers of modern apartments and lower rents. Amenities are still filling in, so it suits those prioritising space and price over being in the thick of things.
Villingili (Vilimalé)
A quieter, low-rise island a short public ferry from Malé, with no cars and a more relaxed pace. Popular with families and those who want breathing room while staying close to the capital's jobs and services.
Maafannu (western Malé)
A busy residential and commercial ward on Malé's west side near the local market and harbour. Handy for those working in trade, shipping or the port, with a mix of older and newer buildings and slightly lower rents than the centre.
Galolhu (central Malé)
A packed inner ward of Malé known for eateries, small shops and the national stadium area. Central and convenient for commuting on foot, though flats are compact and the streets are among the busiest in the country.
What things cost
The Maldives is expensive for its region because almost everything is imported and space is scarce. Rent is the big cost, especially in central Malé, while local staples, ferries and street food stay cheap. Budget in rufiyaa but keep some US dollars; a single person renting a modest one-bedroom should plan for roughly 22,000-25,000 MVR a month all in, more with a family or a central flat.
Staying safe & avoiding scams
The Maldives is a low-crime destination for everyday life, and serious violent crime against foreigners is rare, but a newcomer's real risks are mundane: chaotic scooter traffic on Malé's narrow streets, petty theft and pickpocketing in crowded markets and ferries, and financial scams around rentals and currency exchange. The biggest legal risks come from the country's conservative laws, so avoid anything involving alcohol or drugs on inhabited islands, respect religious sensitivities and never work outside the job on your permit. Keep digital copies of your passport and e-Visa, save the 911 emergency number alongside 119, 102 and 118, know where IGMH and ADK casualty are, and stay aware in scooter traffic, which is the single most common cause of injury to new residents.
Newcomers are common targets. Know these before you arrive — and read our guide to avoiding immigration scams.
Guesthouse and rental deposit scams
Fake flat or guesthouse listings on Facebook groups and classifieds ask for a deposit or first month by bank transfer before you view. The 'landlord' then vanishes. Never pay before seeing the room in person, meeting the actual owner and checking the building; deposits sent to strangers online are almost never recovered and target new arrivals who are desperate for a room.
US dollar exchange and change short-changing
Some taxis, small shops and unofficial money changers quote poor USD-MVR rates or short you on change, exploiting new arrivals who do not yet know the roughly 15.4 rate. Use banks or BML ATMs, agree the price and currency before a taxi ride, and count your change every time. Avoid street money changers offering rates that look too good.
Job and work-permit 'fixer' fraud
Agents offer to arrange a job, transfer your work permit or 'speed up' immigration for upfront cash. Legitimate permits and e-Visas go only through your employer and Maldives Immigration's Xpat system. Paying middlemen risks losing both your money and your legal status, and some victims arrive to find no real job exists, so verify any offer directly with the employer.
Fake resort or agency recruitment offers
Fraudsters pose as well-known resorts or recruitment agencies and ask overseas applicants for 'processing', 'training' or 'visa' fees before travel. Real employers do not charge you to be hired. Check the resort or company independently, never pay recruitment fees, and confirm the offer through official contact details rather than the ones the recruiter gives you.
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to live on a resort or in Malé?
It depends on your job. Resort employees live on-site on their island in staff accommodation, while office, retail, construction and government-linked jobs are based in the Malé region, where you rent a flat or shared room in Malé or Hulhumalé. The two lifestyles are very different, so check where your role is based before you arrive.
Can I buy alcohol as an expat living in the Maldives?
Not on inhabited islands, including Malé, where alcohol is banned for everyone regardless of nationality. It is only served on resort islands and a couple of licensed airport-area hotels. Bringing alcohol through customs is illegal and penalised, so plan around a largely dry life in the capital.
Should I hold rufiyaa or US dollars?
Keep both. Your salary and local bills are usually in rufiyaa, and cafés, ferries and small shops need rufiyaa cash, but US dollars are widely accepted in tourism and useful for larger purchases. Withdraw from BML ATMs, which dispense both, and be aware banks sometimes cap dollar withdrawals because of a foreign-currency shortage.
How do I get around between islands?
Public ferries and speedboats run by MTCC and private operators connect Malé to the atolls, and seaplanes or resort speedboats serve distant resorts. Within the bridge-linked Malé, Hulhulé and Hulhumalé you walk, take a taxi via Pick Me or Ryde, or use the cheap MTCC buses. Longer atoll journeys need planning around ferry schedules.
Is the work visa still a sticker in my passport?
No. Since 23 November 2025 the Maldives work visa is fully digital as an e-Visa, and passport stickers are no longer valid. Your employer processes everything through the Xpat system and Maldives Immigration, and only an approved e-Visa counts as a valid work visa, so ask your employer for the approval reference.
How do I open a bank account?
Bank of Maldives (BML) is the usual choice and offers an Expatriate Account. You need your passport, a work permit with at least one month of validity remaining and normally an employer letter. Accounts can be held in MVR, USD and some other currencies, so you cannot open one until your work permit is issued.
What is the working week and are the weekends different?
The working week runs Sunday to Thursday, with Friday and Saturday as the weekend, and government, banking and immigration offices follow this. Friday midday prayers are the quietest time of the week, when many shops close briefly. Plan errands for Sunday to Thursday mornings to avoid delays.
Do I need to speak Dhivehi to get by?
No. English is widely spoken across the Malé region in banking, healthcare, business and government, and most younger Maldivians switch to it easily. Learning a few Dhivehi phrases is appreciated and helps on smaller islands where English is thinner, but you can manage daily life in English in the capital.
Will my employer arrange my medical and insurance?
Your employer books the mandatory medical screening required for the work permit and must generally provide health cover for work-permit holders. However, the public Aasandha scheme is for citizens only, so confirm exactly what your employer's policy covers. Take out private international insurance for evacuation and treatment abroad, since serious cases are referred to India or Sri Lanka.
How safe is Malé for a newcomer?
Malé is generally safe for everyday life, with low levels of violent crime against foreigners, though petty theft, pickpocketing and scooter accidents do happen. The main hazards are the chaotic scooter traffic and rental or currency scams targeting new arrivals. Keep valuables secure in crowds, cross roads carefully and follow local dress and behaviour norms.
Planning the move, not just the landing?
This guide covers your first days on the ground. If you’re still weighing visas and pathways to Maldives, start with a free eligibility assessment.
