Maldives Immigration has advised expatriate workers in the Maldives to ensure that their e-visa is valid before travelling abroad and returning to the country.

The reminder comes following the introduction of the e-visa service in the Maldives on 10 November 2025, making the Maldives the first country in the region to implement an e-visa system. Maldives Immigration noted that all visa-related services were transitioned fully online from 23 November last year.

Expatriates holding work permits will only be allowed to enter and exit the Maldives on a work visa if they have an unexpired e-visa. Travelling with an expired e-visa may result in entry or exit being denied.

The department further stated that foreign nationals newly arriving in the Maldives for employment will only be permitted entry if they hold a valid entry pass issued by the Ministry of Defence.

In addition, Maldives Immigration reminded employers that it is their responsibility, as registered users of the Xpat system, to ensure the validity of work permits for foreign employees. This includes expatriates who previously held visa stickers in their passports and have since been transitioned to the e-visa system.