Does Maldives have a digital nomad visa?

We do not track a dedicated digital nomad visa for Maldives; the closest routes are the Student Visa and Tourist Visa on Arrival.

How much does the Tourist Visa on Arrival cost and how long does it take?

The Tourist Visa on Arrival costs 0 USD.

Can you get residency through Maldives's Tourist Visa on Arrival?

No, the Tourist Visa on Arrival does not offer a direct path to residency in Maldives.

What is Maldives's Escape Score?

Maldives scores 6.5/10 on Escape Score, our composite measure of visa access, cost of living, safety and quality of life for remote workers and movers.

What visa options does Maldives have?

Maldives has 2 visa routes we track for remote workers and movers, including student and tourist visas.

Maldives Escape Score 6.5/10: visas, costs & safety

Safety & travel advisory

Check the current official advisory before you plan — especially traveling solo.

Official US State Department travel advisory

Advisories change often — always verify the current status at the official source before you travel. (UK, Canada & Australia publish their own advisories too.)

Maldives’s Escape Score

Good, with trade-offs

6.5

out of 10 · four pillars

Can I stay?

Can I afford it?

Will I be safe?

Can I live there?

See how Maldives scores on each pillar — and the cited input behind every one — with premium. Unlock the breakdown

Healthcare, taxes & language

The decisive three for a longer stay — with a source to verify each yourself.

Healthcare

Hospital care is concentrated in Malé (public IGMH; private ADK and Tree Top hospitals); atoll health centres are basic and serious cases are often flown to Sri Lanka or India.

Tip: pair with travel-medical + medical-evacuation cover.

Health Care Index

Tax on foreign & pension income

Residence-based (worldwide)

Resident individuals are taxable on worldwide income including foreign income, but the first MVR 720,000 (~USD 46,700) per year is taxed at 0% and pensions from the Maldives Retirement Pension Scheme are exempt.

Not tax advice — confirm with a local professional.

PwC tax summary

English proficiency

Dhivehi is the official language, but English is widely used in government, business, tourism and as a medium of instruction in schools.

EF English Index

Visa-free on arrival

How long you can stay without a visa, by passport.

US

30

days · voa

Canada

30

days · voa

UK

30

days · voa

EU

30

days · voa

Australia

30

days · voa

New Zealand

30

days · voa

Japan

30

days · voa

South Korea

30

days · voa

Singapore

30

days · voa

Hong Kong

30

days · voa

China

30

days · voa

India

90

days · visa_free

Switzerland

30

days · voa

Israel

—

· visa_required

Visa by passport

Ways in — every visa route

Ranked by route score — length of stay, ease and speed. It feeds the “Can I stay?” pillar above.

Visa rules change often and official sources can conflict. This is AI-assembled research, not legal or immigration advice — always verify with the official link before you act. Full disclaimer

Tourist