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The official process

Six stages, set by law

Every foreign investment goes through the same route, run by the Ministry of Economic Development. We handle the preparation so it moves in one pass.

Foreign Investment Application

Submit the Foreign Investment Application with sector-specific supporting documents to the Ministry of Economic Development.

Letter of No-Objection

The Ministry reviews the application and issues a conditional Letter of No-Objection, listing what must be completed next.

Administrative fee

Pay the standard non-refundable foreign investment administrative fee to the Maldives Inland Revenue Authority (MIRA). Current fee shared during your first call.

Company registration

Register the company through the Business Portal, using the standard constitutional document templates.

Licence issued

The Ministry issues the Foreign Investment Licence once registration is confirmed and all conditions are met — required for all foreign-owned companies.

Investment agreement

Sign the Foreign Investment Agreement with the Ministry — the final step before full operations begin.

We never take custody of your capital. Every government fee is paid by you directly to the government, with the receipt in your name. Our own fee is a separate, fixed arrangement agreed in writing before work begins. Treat any request to wire investment money to an adviser as a red flag.
Key terms

What to know before you invest

Full ownership in many sectors

Several sectors allow 100% foreign-owned companies once minimum-investment thresholds are met. We confirm yours before you commit.

Joint ventures below threshold

Smaller investors are encouraged — though not always required — to partner with a Maldivian national or local company.

Profits move freely

There are no restrictions on repatriating earnings or profits from a foreign-invested company.

Visit first on a tourist visa

You can enter on a standard 30-day tourist visa to look at sites and do your research before formal approval.

Leasehold, not freehold

Foreign nationals cannot hold land title. Land-based projects use long-term leases — up to 50 years on inhabited islands.

Treaty-backed protection

Bilateral and regional agreements, including with the UAE and trade frameworks with the US, China and SAFTA members, support investor protection.

Sectors

Where the opportunities are

Each sector has its own ownership ceiling and minimum-capital threshold under the published Foreign Direct Investment Policy. We match your plan to the structure that fits.

Tourism & Hospitality

Resort development, boutique island leases and branded residences.

Up to 100% ownership

Renewable Energy

Solar, waste-to-energy and storage projects to reduce diesel dependency across the islands.

JV & FDI routes

Fintech & Digital

Payments, digital banking infrastructure and e-government services.

Emerging policy support

Fisheries & Agribusiness

Processing, cold-chain and export infrastructure for one of the country’s oldest industries.

Export-oriented

Ports, Logistics & Transport

Inter-island connectivity, port capacity and telecom infrastructure.

Strategic infrastructure

Commercial Real Estate

Commercial and industrial development above set thresholds, on long-term land leases (no freehold for foreigners).

Leasehold only
What we do

How we help

Research & scoping

Realistic opportunities and timelines before you commit capital or time.

Document preparation

Proposals, constitutional documents and filings prepared to the standard regulators expect.

Ministry liaison

Ministry, MIRA and Business Portal steps coordinated in parallel, not one after another.

After the licence

Local banking, hiring and practical introductions once you’re licensed.

Let’s talk

Tell us what you want to open. We’ll tell you how.

Send us a short message about your business idea. We’ll tell you honestly which route fits, what it involves — and whether you even need us.

Email us Send an enquiry →

For serious investment enquiries, email contactmaldivesnow@gmail.com with a few details: your type of business, sector, intended investment size and timeline.

OfficeM. Sathaha, Sayyid Kilegefaanu Magu, K. Male’, Republic of Maldives

CompanyContact Maldives Pvt Ltd · Reg. No. C14532024