The Maldives is an extremely friendly country when it comes to expats/ foreign workers. Its work environment is good and the local people are very welcoming and friendly. There are numerous employment opportunities in the Maldives for expats. The quality of life here is very good.
The following are some common queries which come to every expat’s mind before moving to the Maldives:
How good is the Maldives as a country as far job opportunities for expats is concerned?
Ans: From the point of view of employment opportunities, Maldives is one of the top destinations in the world. Expats from 80 countries come to this country and stay and work here. 45 percent of the population of Maldives consists of professional expats and foreign workers.
What are the key sectors in the country where jobs are in high demand for expats?
Ans: The key sectors in the Maldives where there is huge employment potential for expats include-- construction, community services, tourism, health, and education.
What are the basic requirements for an expat to secure a job in Maldives?
Ans: Every job in the Maldives requires a unique set of skills. Thus every international job seeker has to have the required skill set for the particular job. He/she must also have a very strong CV. Good references (preferably local) is also a vital ingredient in the CV which every expat must have.
Which industry has the largest employment potential for expats?
Ans: Tourism industry in the Maldives is the largest industry in the Maldives and is the biggest source of employment for foreign nationals.
What are the most commonly offered roles in the Tourism industry for expats?
Ans: Accounts, Admin, Airport, Boutique, Diving, Engineering, Finance, Food & Beverage, Front Office, Guest Services, HOD, Housekeeping, Human Resources, Information Technology, IVD, Kitchen, Landscaping, Laundry, Maintenance Photography, Purchasing, Recreation, Reservations, Resort Doctor, Sales & Marketing, Security, Spa, Training, Transport, Water Sports, Yoga are some of the commonly offered roles in this industry for expats.
What are the facilities offered to international workers in hotels and resorts in Maldives?
Ans: Maldives hotels and resorts offer excellent facilities for its workers. Some of them are: 1) Facilities for sports and recreation, 2) Prospects for career development, 3) Prospects for training, 4) Freedom, 5) Regular leave for staff, 6) Proper systems & processes (good management).
What are the main deciding factors for determining the salary of an expat in the hospitality sector?
Ans: Years of experience is the main deciding factor as far as salary is concerned in the hospitality sector in the Maldives. Standards of the employer is also another important factor as far as employee salary is concerned.
Do all hotels in Maldives have the same average salary structure?
Ans: No. Different hotels and resorts have different salary structures. Some top-end resorts and hotels in Maldives offer a very high salary to its workers.
What are some of the top job portals of Maldives where an expat can search for jobs in Maldives?
Ans: Some of the top job portals in Maldives where an expat can search for different jobs on offer in the Maldives are:
Besides job portals what are the other methods of looking for jobs in Maldives by the expats?
Ans: Apart from job portals expats can look for jobs through various reputed employment agencies in the Maldives. Apart from this, an expat can seek help from his friends /close contacts residing in the Maldives.
What are some of the top employment agencies in Maldives?
Ans: Some of the top employment agencies where an international job seeker can search for jobs in the Maldives include: Maldives Employment Services, Maldives Job Seeker, Effort Maldives Pvt Ltd, Hola Maldives Private Limited, JFM Pvt Ltd etc.
What are some of the most frequently offered jobs in the Maldives for expats?
Ans: The following are some of the most frequently offered jobs in Maldives.
What are the top positions offered in the construction sector for expats in Maldives?
Ans: Construction Foreman, Construction Project Manager, Construction Supervisor, Producer, Operation Supervisor, Project Executive, Rig Supervisor are some of the top positions offered in the construction sector for expats in Maldives. Apart from this, architects and civil engineers are also in great demand in Maldives.
What are the key skills which an employer looks for in an international job seeker in the construction sector?
Ans: Every international job seeker in the construction sector must firstly posses a good technical degree. Employers also greatly value a candidate’s ‘soft’ or ‘life’ skills. Every international job seeker in this sector must possess excellent communication skills. Every expat must also be successful in exhibiting his/her ability to work successfully with other employees and external subcontractors. He/she must also show that he/she possesses good leadership skills. Commercial awareness is another important skill which every international job seeker must have before applying for a job in this sector. Problem-solving ability, ability to successfully manage time and enthusiasm for construction work are some of the other important skills which every expat must possess before applying for a job in this sector.
Does the healthcare sector in Maldives have good employment potential for expats?
Ans: The healthcare sector is a booming sector in the Maldives and does offer excellent employment opportunities for expats.
What are the top positions offered in the healthcare sector for expats in Maldives?
Ans; Some of the top positions offered in the healthcare sector for expats include: Optometrists, dental technician, lab technician, Pharmacist, Bio-Medical Engineer, Medical Officer.
What are top skills which every employer looks for in expats in the healthcare sector?
Ans: Firstly, every expat healthcare professional must show top class proficiency in his/her area of specialization. He/she also should have the ability to successfully manage difficult situations. Dedication and devotion is another key skill which every employer looks for in an expat who wants to work in this sector. Every international job seeker in this sector must be well abreast of the latest developments in his/her field of expertise. All expats who intend to work in this sector must be willing to strictly follow all the ethics of care.
What employment prospects does the education sector have for international job seekers?
Ans: The education sector is also a booming sector in Maldives and it offers fantastic employment opportunities for international job seekers.
What is the most popular position in the education sector for expats?
Ans: English teaching jobs are the most popular position in the education sector in Maldives for international job seekers. In Maldives National University and other private international institutions across the country, English teaching jobs are in great demand and almost all the English teaching posts are filled up by international job seekers.
Besides English teaching jobs what are the other positions available for expats in the education sector in the Maldives?
Ans: Besides English teaching jobs other positions offered for expats in the education sector include: primary school teachers, secondary school teachers, teaching jobs in colleges and Universities (Professors etc).
What are the top skills which every employer in the education sector will look for in an international job seeker?
Ans: Some of the top skills which every employer in the education sector would like to see in an international job seeker are:
Ability to attend the classes according to the timetable
Ability to attend the coordination meetings, staff meetings, co-curricular activities, professional development programs, school functions and parent-teacher meetings whether held during or after school hours.
Ability to prepare the scheme of work and lesson plan in advance
Ability to prepare necessary learning materials to make the lessons more effective and meaningful
What are some of the top positions offered in the community service sector in Maldives for expats?
Ans: Some of the top positions offered in the community services sector for expats in Maldives include: Child, Family and School Social Workers, Medical Social Workers, Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers, Community Social Workers, Social Work Administrators, Researchers, Planners, and Policymakers etc.
What are the general skills which every employer in the Maldives looks for in every international job seeker?
Ans: The general skills which every employer in the Maldives looks for in an international job seeker include:
1. Global Curiosity-- One should be excited and interested in new cultures. One should also have a passion to meet new people and an urge to learn about the world
2. Emotional Intelligence—To be emotionally intelligent means that one can discern how others are feeling. People with good emotional intelligence quickly know what others are feeling and use this information to guide one’s behavior.
3. Extreme Organization—One has to be extremely organized to tackle all situations swiftly and properly.
4. Cultural Adaptability—One must have the ability to adapt to different cultures very quickly to one’s advantage.
5. Language Skills---One must be able to converse in the local language fluently. This puts one in an advantageous position.
6. Flexibility—Every international job seeker must make it a point to adapt oneself to the traditions and way of life of the county where they intend to work. They must be extremely flexible.
7. Leadership—One’s leadership skills play a pivotal role in deciding a career of an international job seeker. One should make use of different successful strategies to take full advantage of a situation. A top class leader who commands respect and support of every employee in an organization is an asset to every organization.
8. Patience--- Patience is a virtue which every expat has to have if he wants to work and live successfully in the Maldives or for that matter any part of the world.
Does a foreign national need a work visa to work in Maldives?
Ans: It’s mandatory for every foreign national to have a work visa to work in Maldives. But if an expat marries a Maldivian and has a Maldives Marriage Visa he/she does not require a work visa to work in this country.
How much time does it take to process a work permit application in Maldives?
Ans: It takes very little time to process a work permit application Maldives. A work permit application takes just three working days to process. Employment Approval (EA) is the new term coined for the work permit. Every international worker must obtain a prior Employment Approval (EA) before they enter the country.
Who issues the Employment Permit (EA) in the Maldives?
Ans: Ministry of Higher Education, Employment and Social Security issues the Employment Permit (EA) in Maldives.
Do international job seekers need to deposit an amount while applying for Employment Approval (EA) in Maldives?
Ans: Yes, every foreign worker while seeking Employment Approval(EA) must deposit a mandatory amount of money which is to be paid by the employer to the government.
What are the documents needed for a work visa in Maldives?
Ans: The following are the documents required to successfully obtain a work visa in Maldives:
- completed visa application form (IM25),
- passport standard photograph,
- original of the employment contract or contract copy attested by a court or law firm,
- original of the employment approval,
- passport with 6 months validity,
- MVR 250 for monthly visa fee,
- original of the medical report,
- MVR 50 for annual visa card fee,
- Employer’s National Identity Card or Registration Certificate of Company,
- Medical insurance documentation.
What are the conditions set by the Maldivian government for work visa holders?
Ans: The Maldivian government has set some strict conditions for work visa holders. These conditions are:
- a passport with minimum six months validity,
- a security deposit paid to DoIE 48 hours before arrival,
- truthful answers to questions posed by Immigration Officers
- specification of the purpose of entry
- an employment approval from the concerned authority with a copy transmitted to DoIE,
- not prohibited from entry to the Maldives under article 4 of the regulation,
- being over 18 years of age.
What are the main regulatory organizations for foreign migrant workers in Maldives?
Ans: The main regulatory organizations for foreign migrant workers in Maldives are:
- Department of Immigration and Emigration (DoIE)
- Labour Relations Authority (LRA)
- Employment Tribunal (ET)
- Maldives Police Services (MPS)
- Prosecutor General’s Office
Every international worker must be in close touch with the above organizations and also have a good rapport with them for their own benefit.
Is there any personal income tax in Maldives?
Ans: No there is no personal income tax in Maldives.
Is there any other tax which an international worker in Maldives has to pay?
Ans: In the year 2016 the Maldivian government introduced something called the Remittance Tax. As per this new tax, every foreign worker working in Maldives has to pay 3% of the money remitted through any bank in Maldives. Apart from Remittance Tax the bank will also deducts other charges.
What are the general perceptions about the livings standards and cost of living in Maldives?
Ans: The living standard and cost of living in Maldives is considerably high as compared to other neighboring countries and also in the global context.
What are the essential factors which determine the standard of living for an international worker in Maldives?
Ans: The two basic factors which determine the standard of living for every international worker in Maldives are:
- The brand or the employer
- Salary and other benefits of the employee
What is the cost of living for international workers working in Maldives under various categories?
Ans: The following is a short list which shows cost of living in different categories for international workers in Maldives:
- Clothing: High
- Communication: Low
- Education: Average
- Furniture & Appliances: High
- Groceries: Low
- Healthcare: Low
- Household Accommodation: Very High
- Miscellaneous: Very Low
- Personal Care: Very Low
- Recreation & Culture: Average
- Restaurants Meal Out and Hotels: Very Low
- Transport: Very High
Is the cost of living less for international workers working in the Hospitality sector?
Ans: Yes the cost of living for the international workers working in the hospitality sector is considerably less compared to those working in other sectors in the Maldivian economy. The reason is that every international worker in the hospitality sector is provided with free food, accommodation. Other essential services are also offered for free. They are also not allowed to keep their family with them. All these factors greatly reduce the cost of living for them.
Is the overall quality of life good for international workers working Maldives?
Ans: Yes the overall quality of life is pretty good for international workers in Maldives.
What are the basic salary requirements for every international worker to live properly Maldives?
Ans: If an international worker stays with three family members he/she would require at least USD 3000 to live comfortably. However, as already mentioned above, the same doesn’t apply to those who work in the hospitality sector. If a foreign worker gets a starting salary of USD 1500 it is considered as pretty good. It also must be mentioned that junior level international staff manages quite well with a monthly salary of USD 500.
