Medical required for work permit starting Thursday

Expatriates will need to submit a medical report from a health facility registered with the Homeland Security Ministry in order to receive work permits starting Thursday.

Previously, foreign citizens who enter the Maldives on work permits were required to submit medical reports. They are only granted visas if they pass medical screening. But the practice was suspended as part of Covid-19 easements.

The Homeland Security Ministry announced on Wednesday that medicals will be required for issuance and extension of work permits starting Thursday.

The medicals must be submitted via the Xpat system.

Expatriates who enter Maldives on work permit entry pass are required to submit their medical report within 15 days of arrival to the country.

Meanwhile, expired work permit holders abroad are required to obtain a medical report from a foreign service provider, including all tests mandated by the Maldives' Ministry of Health, and submit the report via the Xpat system for a temporary 15-day approval.

Upon return to Maldives, they are required to submit a new medical report from within the country within 15 days of arrival, for a full one-year work permit medical validity.

Expatriates who received work permits without medicals are also required to submit medical reports via Xpat system by Thursday.

Meanwhile, expatriates leaving Maldives with an expired work permit and without a valid work permit medical report after February 4, will incur a fine. of MVR 2,000 for each year the medical report is invalid, calculated per work permit fee cycle year.

The ministry warned that non-compliance with the requirements will result in actions as per the Regulation on Expatriate Employment.