Maldives Launches Investor Visa Program 2025: Get Residency by Investing $250,000+

The Republic of Maldives is the smallest nation by area in Asia. This jurisdiction occupies a double chain of 27 atolls in the Indian Ocean, consisting of 1192 coral islets. Its 298 square kilometres are home to about 600,000 people.

Neither modest size nor limited resources have prevented the Maldives from gaining worldwide recognition, primarily as an expensive resort for wealthy foreigners. In 2024, these picturesque islands and crystal-clear lagoons were visited by 2,046,615 people.

The Maldives is implementing Vision 2040, a programme aimed at developing and diversifying the national economy. Foreign investment is the key to the successful implementation of the country’s economic transformation. An important step in this direction is the Investment Programme, which grants a residence permit in the Maldives for significant contributions to the economy. 

Features of the Maldives Investment Programme

The programme for obtaining a residence permit for investment started in the Maldives on 1 July 2025. It was initiated by the Government of Maldives and Henley & Partners, an international consulting company specialising in the development of state investment immigration programmes.

The new programme has become an important part of the Republic of Maldives’ economic strategy to diversify the State’s revenues, the lion’s share of which is currently derived from tourism. By attracting overseas investment through the purchase of real estate, the programme will stimulate growth in sectors of the Maldivian economy such as tourism, hospitality and services.

By granting an investor visa and residence permit, the Government of the Republic of Maldives expects long-term and mutually beneficial economic co-operation. The programme is primarily open to foreign investors who plan to make the Maldives their second home.

Conditions for participation in the Maldives Investment Programme

Minimum investment amount

To participate in the programme, an investor will need to invest between US$5 million and US$10 million in the Maldivian economy.

Investment options

There are 3 options for investing in the island economy:

1. Investment in high-end property projects.
   Real estate investment under the new programme offers previously unavailable to foreign nationals the opportunity to own luxury properties in designated development zones in the Maldives. The Government of the Republic of Maldives has approved 3 areas for luxury residential developments near Male: Gaafaru, Fushidhiggaru and Ras Mala in Kaafu Atoll.
   The designated areas will be real “investor zones” where wealthy foreigners will be able to purchase property for the purpose of obtaining residence permits.
   Maldivian law does not allow foreign nationals to own property, so purchases will be made on long-term leases (50 to 99 years).
2. Purchase of government bonds or long-term placement of funds in government-approved deposit accounts with a financial institution in the Maldives.
   The government bond option appeals to more conservative investors who prefer a well-collateralised security. The proceeds from the sale of government bonds will be used to finance Maldivian national development projects. These securities will be a convenient investment vehicle for obtaining a residence permit in the Maldives.
3. Direct investment in sectors of the Maldivian economy such as tourism, energy and infrastructure.
   This investment route is still being finalised. It can already be stated that direct investment for obtaining a residence permit can only be made in those commercial projects that receive prior approval from the Maldivian government.

Validity of the investor visa

The validity of the Maldivian investor visa is expected to be at least 5 years, with an unlimited possibility of renewal. A key condition for the renewal of the honourable immigration status is that the investment is maintained in the Maldives.

Maldives investment residence permit application procedure

The process of applying for an investment programme in the Republic of Maldives requires careful preparation and professional legal support, which our specialists are ready to provide you with.

Imperial & Legal lawyers have conventionally divided the procedure of applying for an investment residence permit into 5 stages.

Step 1: Preliminary assessment of compliance with the requirements of the investment programme and preparation of documents

The Government of Maldives takes security issues seriously and imposes high requirements to each candidate for participation in the investment programme. At the first consultation, our agents objectively assess the client’s chances of obtaining an honourable immigration status as an investor in the Maldives. Pre-qualification for the investment programme is one of the most crucial stages, as investment in the Maldivian economy takes place before an application for an investor visa is made.

The Maldivian authorities carry out a thorough vetting process on two fronts:

1. The reputation of the applicant. A potential investor needs to provide documentation that he or she has no criminal record in all countries where he or she has resided for an extended period of time. Not only criminal convictions, but also being under investigation or having enquiries to Interpol can be a serious reason for rejecting an application.
2. Financial Due Diligence. The Government of Maldives must ensure that the investor not only has the required amount of money to participate in the programme, but also that all these funds were obtained legally. Anti-money laundering requirements are strictly enforced during the verification process in accordance with international best practices.

If you are experiencing difficulties with the collection, translation and apostilisation of the documents required to participate in the investment programme, Imperial & Legal will provide you with comprehensive support.

Step 2: Choosing the right investment programme for you

As you already know, there are 3 options available in the investment programme to invest in the economic development of the Republic of Maldives. The most interesting investment option at the moment is to finance the construction of a luxury property in one of the designated zones in the Maldives. This way you will get not only a visa and residence permit, but also your own house or apartment in this tropical paradise.

If the applicant does not need his residential property in the Maldives, he can invest in one of the approved business projects, purchase government bonds and deposit the funds in a special deposit account in a bank approved by the Maldivian government.

The investment under the option chosen by the applicant is made before the application for the programme is submitted. As the Government of the Republic of Maldives is interested in long-term cooperation with foreign investors, there is no minimum holding period for the asset acquired as an investment in this programme.

The investment must be maintained for the duration of the investor’s honourable immigration status. For example, if you open a deposit account with a Maldivian bank approved by the authorities, the entire amount of the investment must remain on deposit as long as you hold an investment residence permit. Failure to comply with the investment requirements may result in the cancellation of your visa.

Step 3: Submitting your application and payment of fees

An Imperial & Legal specialist carefully completes the official application form, pays the application fee and sends it along with supporting documents for approval.

What is the minimum set of documents a potential participant in the Maldives Investment Programme needs to provide?

• A copy of the passport of the main applicant.
• Documentary proof of investment (bank statement, investment certificates, contracts, registration of construction project).
• Criminal record certificate – from the investor’s country and all jurisdictions where the investor has previously resided.
• Financial documentation confirming the legal origin of your investment funds.
• Family documents, if you plan to apply for a residence permit for your immediate family members – certified copies of marriage certificate for spouses, birth certificate for children, etc.

Step 4: Due diligence and official approval of the candidate

We have already outlined the areas in which the applicant is vetted. Financial documents are checked impartially, regardless of the amount of investment made to obtain a residence permit in the Maldives.

Qualified legal support of Imperial & Legal immigration lawyers significantly reduces the likelihood of rejection, and thus saves time and reduces your additional costs.

Step 5: Visa application and obtaining a residence permit

Once the investor is approved, a visa and residence permit is issued. The Maldives is keeping up with the times, so the investor’s visa can be applied for electronically and an entry will be made in the immigration database. To cross the border, the investor will only need to show his/her passport or other passport equivalent document proving his/her identity.

The range of tasks solved by the specialists of our company is not limited only to visa support. At the client’s request we can organise his comfortable relocation to the Maldives, help with opening a bank account and company registration.

How long does it take to process an investor’s application in the Maldives?

Depending on the chosen method of investment, the decision on the applicant’s participation in the Maldives investment programme can take from 2 to 6 months.

5 advantages of the Republic of Maldives for investors

1. Residence permit for the whole family

The new Maldives programme extends to multi-generational members of the investor’s family. Husband or wife, children, parents, and grandparents can be added to the residence permit application.

2- No residency, language, education requirements

Of course, the Maldives investment programme is designed for responsible investors who will contribute to the economic development of this wonderful country and, perhaps, make their second home in the coral islands with crystal clear beaches.

However, there is no requirement to reside in the Republic of Maldives for any length of time under the terms of the residence for investment programme. Nor do investors need to learn the Maldivian language or any proof of education, professional qualifications, etc. The key conditions are the impeccable reputation of the programme participant and the honest origin of the funds invested in the island economy.

3. New opportunities in the property sector

The Maldives investment programme allows wealthy citizens of other countries to invest in luxury properties. Ownership is granted to the investor on a long-term lease (50-99 years), but even this method of purchase is a significant step forward from previous restrictions on foreigners.

4. Tax incentives

The Maldives has no personal income tax, making the jurisdiction extremely attractive to wealthy immigrants. Although there are import duties and some taxes for businessmen, the overall tax burden in the Maldives is relatively low compared to most developed countries.

5. Advantages for business

The government not only actively supports foreign investment, but also streamlines the process of registering a new company and keeping accounts. Foreign entrepreneurs are finding new business opportunities in the Maldives, targeting both the local market and the growing international resident community.

For investors with business interests in different countries, the Maldives can be an excellent base of operations. The Maldives’ strategic location between Asia and the Middle East provides excellent transport accessibility. Male International Airport offers convenient flights to major cities in Asia, the Gulf States as well as Europe.

What visa category was popular with overseas investors before the new programme in the Maldives?

Before the new investment programme was announced, the main immigration route for wealthy foreigners was the Corporate Resident Visa.

The main parameters of the Corporate Resident Visa in the Maldives are:

1. Minimum investment of $250,000.
2. Three investment options:
   • term deposit in a Maldivian bank for 5 years;
   • investment in a business (prior authorisation to do business in the Maldives is required);
   • investment in government-approved commercial projects.
3. The visa is valid for 5 years with the possibility of extension.
4. Investor may include spouse, children, parents and grandparents in the application.
5. There is no residency requirement.

Comparison of immigration programmes for investors in the Maldives

The Corporate Resident visa remains available in 2025, but soon the Maldives authorities will stop accepting new applications for this category. Therefore, if you are limited in funds to invest in a residence permit in the Maldives, do not waste time – arrange a consultation with Imperial & Legal!

What are the objectives of the residence permit for investment programme in the Maldives?

As it has been repeatedly emphasised, the new investment programme is part of the Vision 2040 strategy formulated by the current President of the Republic of Maldives, Mohamed Muizzou. The main objective of the phased strategy is to make the Maldives’ economy prosperous, diversified and sustainable by 2040.

Launched on 1 July 2025, the residence permit for investment programme will last for 5 years. The programme is expected to attract at least $1.1 billion in foreign investment during this period, and the projected economic impact of the programme through new development areas, new infrastructure, new tourism facilities and new jobs is expected to be$ 5-7 billion.

The Maldivian authorities expect that the programme will attract serious investors who are committed to long-term economic cooperation and residence in the country. In total, the investment programme is planned to attract from 1,500 to 2,000 wealthy citizens of other countries, which together with their family members will make up about 4,000 new residents of the Maldives.

Conclusions on the investment programme of the Republic of Maldives

Unfortunately, many details of the Maldivian residence permit programme for investments, which started on 1 July 2025, have not yet been clarified. However, the serious approach of the Government of Maldives combined with the professionalism of the consulting company-partner inspires hope that in the near future clear rules of participation in the programme will be formulated.

Already now we can say that the unique advantage of the new programme is the opportunity to invest in the purchase of luxury real estate in the resort area on the rights of long-term lease.

The government is quite strict about the selection of participants in the investment programme, but if you enlist the legal support of Imperial & Legal agents, our team of professionals will do everything to ensure that you get a residence permit in the Maldives on time and without unnecessary costs!