important: biometrics appointment updates
Employers can book appointments for Expats via Biometrics Update services through the Appointment Booking Portal.
service hours: 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Employers are kindly requested to send the employees, who have not yet completed their biometrics update, during the scheduled time. Employers with high volumes of employees may also request mobile teams through the portal to visit their preferred locations. Biometrics appointment slots will be subject to availability and may be accommodated in batches.
This service is currently available for the Greater Male' area.
For locations outside Male', employers are advised to coordinate directly with the respective Local Council Offices for biometrics collection.
Employers are required to update the pending expatriate workers' biometrics who are currently in the Maldives.
The list of employees requiring biometrics update can be accessed through the following link: View Work Permit & Fingerprint Data
Important notice:
Employers are advised to complete this requirement by 17 June 2026. Service suspensions for employers may be effective after this date if pending biometric updates are not completed.
important updates on work site declaration
Effective 24 May 2026, Work Site Declaration form and User Declaration will no longer be required for Worksite Registration.
Applicants may proceed with online registration without submitting these documents.
important announcement: temporary unavailability of online payment services
Please be informed that due to a scheduled maintenance notify by Maldives Inland Revenue Authority (MIRA), online payment services integrated with the Xpat system will be temporarily unavailable.
Maintenance details:
- Date: 23rd May 2026, Thursday
- Start time: Approximately 8:00 PM
- Expected duration: Approximately 2 to 4 hours
During this period, the following services will be affected:
- Payments via MIRA link
- MIRA online payment options within Xpat
Please kindly be advised to complete any urgent payments prior to the maintenance window to avoid disruptions. We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience caused and appreciate your understanding as this maintenance is carried out to improve system performance and reliability.
important: biometrics appointment updates
Effective 24 May 2026, tokens for the Expat-side Biometrics Update service will be issued exclusively through the Qeue mobile application.
service hours: 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Employers are kindly requested to send the employees, who have not yet completed their biometrics update.
The list of employees requiring biometrics update can be accessed through the following link: View Work Permit & Fingerprint Data
Biometrics update centers:
- Male' area: Operation Center @ GIC (BUILD Building, Male')
- Islands area: Any Local Council Office
All employees are advised to obtain a token prior to visiting the service center. Employees may monitor the live queue status via the Qeue app and are advised to arrive when their token number is nearing its turn.
important announcement: quota free quotas now available
Under the 2nd Amendment to the Regulation on Expatriate Employment (2021/R-120), Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) can now receive up to 20 free quotas each.
To receive this benefit, select "Commercial Investor" in the system. Your eligibility will be verified based on your MSME classification with the Ministry of Economic Development and Trade (MEDT).
- Employment registered as an MSME must obtain MSME classification from MEDT before applying.
- Eligible MSMEs can select up to 20 free quota slots as exempt from quota fees.
Please refer to the "Commercial Fee Tier User Guide" for more information.
important notice: work legalization program deadline extension
In accordance with (IUL) 30-OIR/30/2026/8, the deadline for the Work Legalization Program has been extended until 10 May 2026.
All eligible applicants and stakeholders are advised to take note of the revised deadline and ensure that applications are submitted within this extended period. No further extensions will be granted.
For further clarification or additional information, please contact the Ministry through official channels.
important updates on work site declaration forms
Effective 15th March 2026,
Submission is no longer required for the 'Work Site Declaration Form' submitted during Work Site Registration in the Xpat system.
Users can proceed with their submissions without obtaining notarization for this document. Other requirements for Work Site Registration remain unchanged.
For more information, please call 1591 or email us at xpat@moha.gov.mv
important notice: extension of deadline for updating permanent quota records
Please be informed that the deadline for updating records related to permanent quotas has been extended.
All employers with currently registered work sites under permanent quotas are required to update their records by submitting the Work Site Declaration Form and the User Declaration via the "Permits & Declarations" tab no later than 1 June 2026.
Failure to submit the required documentation within the specified timeframe will result in the suspension of the relevant work sites.
To assist employers in completing the forms accurately and efficiently, a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) document is available on the Xpat Home Page.
important updates: updated work site declaration form now available
The Work Site Declaration Form (Form Number: OIR-01) for permanent quota work has been revised to enhance service efficiency and ease of use. The revised version is now available for download from the Xpat Home Page.
To assist you in completing the form accurately and efficiently, the revised form includes a dedicated Help Page (page 2) and FAQ section (pages 3-7).
Going forward, please ensure that the revised form is used for all relevant submissions to avoid processing delays.
important notice: updated requirements for work site declaration under permanent quotas
Effective 1 January 2026, the registration of work sites for the issuance of permanent quotas will require the submission of standardized work site declaration form and user declaration, in addition to the existing documentation requirements. These forms are available on the Xpat Home Page.
The Ministry reserves the right to request additional supporting documents, including but not limited to copies of lease or rental agreements between the employer and the property owner, where further clarification is required regarding registration purposes.
All employers with currently registered work sites under permanent quotas are required to update their records by submitting the Work Site Declaration Form and the User Declaration via the "Permits & Declarations" tab no later than 21 January 2026.
Failure to submit the documentation within the specified timeframe will result in the suspension of the relevant work sites.
important notice: updated letter of appointment for employer change and regularized work permits
Effective 7 January 2026, the Letter of Appointment template for Employer Change and Regularized Work Permit has been updated. The revised template now requires the employer's signature and contact details.
The revised template is available on the Xpat Home Page.
Any Employer Change or Regularized Work Permit applications submitted after 7 January 2026 without the updated template will be marked as incomplete.
system announcement: updates to the work permit missing reporting and withdrawal processes
We are excited to announce key updates to the Xpat system that will improve the accuracy, efficiency, and flexibility of handling missing work permits.
1. Work Permit Missing Reporting Process Enhancements:
- Verification steps: Multiple steps have been introduced to ensure end users are submitting reports for the correct individual.
- Simplified documentation: Users may now choose between uploading required documents or declaring their inability to provide them.
- Real-time payment system: A service fee of MVR 500 is required to finalize a missing report.
- Due process tracking: Users can now monitor confirmation status updates within the Xpat system.
- Withdrawal options: You can withdraw the missing report within 7 days.
2. Work Permit Missing Withdrawal Process:
- Grace period: Withdraw your missing report within 7 days after submission without incurring a fee.
- Flexible withdrawal scenarios: Whether your report is still being processed or has already been approved, you can withdraw it as long as it falls within the applicable grace period.
- Service fee outside grace period: A withdrawal fee of MVR 10,000 will apply if the withdrawal is requested outside the grace period.
- Surpassing work permits: Upon successful withdrawal, employers can proceed with re-issuing the employee's work permit.
system announcement: quota slot change feature
We are excited to introduce a new feature in the Xpat system: Quota Slot Change. This enhancement will improve quota management efficiency for users.
- Purpose: Allows users to modify the associated quota pool, occupation, or both, for 'Open' quota slots.
- Sub-modification: Users can change multiple quota slots in a single request.
- Automated processing: Requests are processed instantly.
For any assistance or inquiries regarding this new feature, please contact our support team at xpat@moha.gov.mv
system announcement: new payment settlement option now available
We are pleased to announce that the XPAT system now offers an option to agree to a settlement declaration for closing pending dues and continuing services.
- Due date and suspension: Due payments will be settled in line under the 'Pending Fees' view.
- Service suspension status: Services will be automatically suspended if there are any outstanding dues by the end of September 2026.
- Service resumption: Services will automatically resume as soon as all pending dues are cleared.
- Affected services: Temporarily suspended services include, New Work Permit, Employer Change Work Permit, Regularization Work Permits, New Quota Push, Quota Increase, and Renew Work Site Registrations.
For more details, click the buttons below to view samples of the Settlement Declaration and User Guide.
system announcement: xpat system payment management update
We are excited to announce the latest enhancements to the XPAT system, designed to streamline your experience in managing outstanding payments and fees.
- New centralized interface: Unified outstanding payments and fees in one location for easy viewing.
- Comprehensive payment overview: Set a clear view of your total outstanding amounts, with a detailed breakdown by payment category.
- Enhanced payment filters: Improved filter options to allow you to easily identify and manage payments related to due quota slots.
- Pending term report refresh: The Pending Fees report is automatically updated each night between 12:00 AM and 3:00 AM.
system update: enhanced efficiency with automated deposit claims
We are pleased to introduce the newly automated deposit claim to assist in faster, non-refundable within the Xpat system. This significant enhancement is designed to streamline the deposit refund process, directly benefiting our employers and system users.
- Fast-track processing: The transition from a manual verification system to an automated system eliminates the current 2-day waiting period.
- Immediate availability of funds: Once processed, the refunded deposits are instantly available in your Xpat Digital Wallet.
system update: enhanced reporting capabilities in xpat system
We are pleased to announce significant enhancements to the reporting functionalities within the Xpat system. These improvements are designed to optimize data management and reporting efficiency.
- Advanced reporting resources: The system now supports advanced and custom report generation.
- Customizable report options: Improved filtering and condition applications are now available.
- Reserved flexibility: Access to all relevant reporting tools remains intact, with the added convenience of preset options.
system update: payment integration with digital pay gateway
We are pleased to announce enhancements to the deposit payment process within the Xpat portal.
- New payment gateway: We have transitioned to the BankPay (Pay Gateway) for all permit deposit payments.
- Unlimited flexibility: You will receive partial payments, using the Xpat digital wallet, with the remainder paid through alternative payment methods.
summary of maldives work permits medical requirements update (effective 4th January 2026)
- New arrivals: Submit medical report within 15 days of arrival.
- Extension for work-after 2026 arrivals: Individuals who entered the Maldives before 4th January 2026 can extend their work permits until 4th July 2026 without needing a new medical report.
- Extension for work-after 2026 arrivals: For individuals working on or after 4th January 2026, the extension of work permit validity is contingent upon having a valid work permit medical report.
- Abroad with expired permits: Temporary stay approved with foreign medical report issued within 15 days of return.
- System update: Update required before 4th July 2026 for permits expiring after this date.
- Coverage duration: Consulting a permit with an expired medical report after 4th July 2026 incurs a MVR 5000 fine per year of invalid report.
- Discontinuation of 31-day approval: The 31-day temporary approval for work permit holders is discontinued.
- Work permit medical validity period: Requirement for both work permit medical validity, necessitates renewal, is now set to 1 year.
- Non-compliance: Actions as per Regulation on Expatriate Employment (R-120/2021).