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Invest Maldives is the lead government agency responsible for investment promotion, facilitation, and registration. Invest Maldives offers a one-stop shop that takes investors through the A-Z of investing in the Maldives.

Maldives has continued to develop at a steady pace during the last twenty years. The economy has remained resilient amidst the shocks the world has seen during the period. Pro-market policies embedded within the government’s economic vision contribute to a strong, liberal and transparent trading and commercial environment. In its drive to build a strong and stable economy the government has implemented several policies that opens up attractive opportunities for foreign investors.

View all our Foreign Investment opportunities by heading to the ‘Opportunities’ tab on our website.

Foreign Investments

How to apply

To seek Foreign Investment approval, please submit all the relevant documents (identified below) to the Invest Maldives Office, Velaanaage 4th Floor.

The application review process takes 2 working days for applications submitted under the ‘Automatic’ route, and 5 to 14 working days for applications submitted under the ‘Government’ route.

Upon approval of the foreign investment, the Ministry will issue an acceptance letter to the applicant. Your next step is to register your business in one of the following three ways.

  • Re-Registering a company in foreign jurisdiction with the registrar of companies
  • Incorporating a new Company/Partnership
  • Acquiring Shares from a locally Incorporated Company

Your business will be registered in 1 business day. Once the business entity is registered, you are required to enter to a Foreign Investment Agreement (FIA) with Ministry of Economic Development & Trade.

What documents are required to seek Foreign Investment approval?
  • Foreign Investment Registration Application
  • Clear, complete and valid Passport/National Identification Card copies of shareholders, directors and secretary / legal representative of the investing entity
  • Company Registration Certificate, Constitutional Documents of the entity notarized as true copy by relevant authorities of the registered country. Investor shall submit notarized translations of all documents that are not in English.
  • Letter of financial credibility issued by a financial institution licensed by the central bank of the respective jurisdiction, for each shareholder (both individual and legal entity).
  • Profiles of the investors/shareholders. A CV shall suffice for individual investors/shareholders.
  • Contract Award Letter from Private or Public Institutions (if applicable)
  • If applicant is looking to engage in sector such as Construction, an agreement/ award letter by the respective entity
  • Projected Business plan and Feasibility Study (upon request by MEDT)
What documents are required Re-register a company?
  • Business Registration Application Form
  • Company Registration Certificate, Constitutional Documents of the entity notarized as true copy (by relevant authorities of the registered country). Note: Notarized translations must be provided for all the documents that are not in English.
  • Board Resolution of the Company
    • To re-register in Maldives
    • To appoint a Legal Representative who shall represent the company in any legal proceedings against the Company
  • Acceptance Letter and NIC/passport copy of the appointed Representative Note: The representative need not be a lawyer, but should be a resident individual or registered entity in the Maldives
  • Clear, complete and valid PP / ID copies of persons with tax responsibilities
What documents are required to incorporate a new Company?
  • For more details on how to register a company, please have a look at Company Registration
  • If the foreign shareholder is an entity
    • Business Registration Certificate, Constitutional Documents of the entity notarized as true copy (by relevant authorities of the registered country). Note: Notarized translations must be provided for all the documents that are not in English.
    • Board Resolution of the Company
      • Details of the number and percentage of shares the company will hold in the new business
      • Details of the directors appointed to represent the entity in the new business (if any)
  • Clear, complete and valid PP / ID copies of
    • Directors
    • Company Secretary
    • Tax responsible person(s)
What documents are required to register a Partnership?
  • Business Registration Application Form
  • Partnership Agreement (2 Originals)
  • Clear, complete and valid PP / ID copies of
    • Partners
    • Tax responsible person(s)
  • If the foreign Partner is an entity
    • Business Registration Certificate, Constitutional Documents of the entity notarized as true copy (by relevant authorities of the registered country). Note: Notarized translations must be provided for all the documents that are not in English.
    • Board Resolution of the Company
      • Details of the number and percentage of shares the company will hold in the new business
      • Details of the directors appointed to represent the entity in the new business (if any)
What documents are required to acquire shares of an existing local entity?
  • Share Transfer Form (2 originals)
  • Revised Articles and Memorandum of Association of the entity proposing to undertake the investment (2 Originals)
  • Board Resolution for the transfer of shares (as in step 1)
  • Clear, complete and valid NIC/Passport copy of the new shareholders and directors
  • Board Resolution of the Transferee (if an entity)
    • Details of the number and percentage of shares the company will acquire
    • Details of the directors appointed to represent the entity in the new business (if any)
How much does this cost?

Foreign Investment Administration Fee equivalent to USD 5,000.00. This amount has to be paid to the Maldives Inland Revenue Authority (MIRA). A copy of the receipt should be submitted to the Ministry of Economic Development & Trade.

In addition to this, you are required to make entity registration fee depending upon the type of business you register in Maldives. For fee details please have a look at the company registration process.

Unsolicited Proposals

How to apply

Unsolicited Proposals “USP” Policy was published on 28th January 2019. One of the main objectives of the policy is to harness private-sector innovation and capabilities in delivery of strategic projects of the Government.

The USPs submitted under the policy will be reviewed, and final decisions will be made by the Cabinet/Economic Council.

The review of your proposal will be carried out in the following stages:

Pre-submission concept review

  • Stage 1
    • Initial submission and compliance check
    • Strategic assessment for initial submission
  • Stage 2
    • Submission of Detailed Proposal
    • Negotiation and Final Binding Offer
  • Stage 3
    • Foreign Investment Registration and/or business registration
    • Execution of Agreement

Some of the key sectors for development include:

  • Airport Development (domestic/international)
  • Housing
  • Energy
  • Education
  • Road Development
  • Agriculture
  • Aquaculture & Mariculture

Note that, a USPs should not be submitted for projects that are under procurement, or has been substantially developed for procurement, or publicly announced by the Government.

All Proponents are welcome to visit our office to seek guidance throughout the application process.

The USP secretariat is housed within the Ministry of Economic Development & Trade. All the USPs under this policy will be received by our Ministry.

You may submit hard copies of your proposals or email it to us, at the following address:

  • Invest Maldives
  • 11th Floor, Velaanaage
  • Ameer Ahmed Magu, 20096
  • Email: [email protected]
  • Contact: (+960) 333 3148
What documents are required?
  • Unsolicited Proposals Application Form (All fields must be completed)
  • Letter of financial credibility issued by a financial institution licensed by the central bank of the respective jurisdiction
  • Constitutional documents of the Proponent (Registration Certificate, Articles of Association/Memorandum of Association)
  • Latest audited financial accounts
  • If the proposed project is for social housing, and the form of finance is through a bank A term sheet duly executed by a financial institution licensed by the central bank of the respective jurisdiction
How much does this cost?
No fees are charged for this service
Policy Documents and Resources