Work visa basics for expats
How the employer-led Xpat process works, what you need to do, and the one rule that matters most.
Draft (2026-10-01): being verified. Check the official sources below before acting.
Your employer runs the process
In the Maldives the employer, not the employee, applies. They request an Employment Approval for you in the government's Xpat Online System (xpat.egov.mv, signed in with eFaas).
You arrive on the entry pass that comes with your approved work permit. The employer must then get your work e-Visa within 15 days of your arrival.
What you should do
- Keep your passport valid well beyond your contract; the employer will ask for a copy early on.
- Ask your employer for a copy of your Employment Approval and, once issued, your work e-Visa.
- Check your status online rather than relying on a sticker: work visas are now electronic.
The rule that matters most
A work permit is tied to the employer who holds it. Working for anyone else, including side jobs or freelancing, is not allowed under the regulation. Changing jobs goes through the official transfer process with both employers.