04. What are the approvals and processes required to set up a FDI in the Maldives?

For a foreign investor to invest in the Maldives an application has to be submitted to the Ministry of Economic Development and Trade to obtain a ‘No Objection Letter’ for investment. Including the first step, the foreign investment application process is a 4 stage process, where each step needs to be completed before proceeding to the next, as outlined below. 

  • Step 1 – Obtaining No Objection Letter
  • Step 2 – Completing Business Registration
  • Step 3 – Obtaining Foreign Investment Licence
  • Step 4 – Signing Foreign Investment Agreement

An administrative fee of USD 5,000 will have to be paid prior to the signing of the Foreign Investment Agreement.

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