Business Licences & Permits
The permits and licences a Maldivian business needs after registration, including premises and sector permits, importer registration and employment agency licences. We work out what applies, prepare the applications and keep track of renewals.
Registering a business is the first step. Before you trade, you may also need business licences and permits for your activity, your premises or the goods you bring in. Which ones apply depends on what you do and where you do it.
We help with three common areas:
- Business permits and licences, the trade, premises and sector permits that follow registration.
- Import licence and importer registration, for businesses bringing goods into the Maldives.
- Employment agency licence, for businesses that recruit and place foreign workers.
We confirm the current requirements, prepare each application and keep a record of renewal dates so nothing lapses unnoticed.
Business Permits & Licences
A business permit in the Maldives is the permission a registered business may need to trade from its premises or carry out a regulated activity. DBS Maldives works out which permits and …
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Import Licence
To import goods into the Maldives for business, you register as an importer with Maldives Customs Service, and restricted goods also need a specific permit. DBS Maldives checks what your goods require, …
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Employment Agency Licence
An employment agency licence in the Maldives is required to recruit and place foreign workers. It is registered and renewed through oneGov with the Ministry of Homeland Security, Labour and Technology. DBS …
Learn more →Frequently asked questions
What licences do I need to start a business in the Maldives?
It depends on your activity and location. Every business first registers with the Registrar. After that, you may need a premises permit, a sector licence such as a tourism permit, registration with Customs if you import, or an employment agency licence if you recruit foreign workers. We map out what applies to you.
Is business registration the same as a business licence?
No. Registration creates the business in law and records its name and activities. Licences and permits give permission for a specific activity, place or type of goods. A registered business can still need several permits before it can trade, and many of them must be renewed.
Where are business permits applied for in the Maldives?
Many government services for registered businesses are now offered online through the oneGov portal, including some council permits and the employment agency licence. Importer registration is made with Maldives Customs Service. Responsibility for some permits has moved between agencies, so we confirm the current route before applying.
Can DBS Maldives keep track of my licence renewals?
Yes. We keep a record of each permit and licence we handle for you, with its renewal date, and remind you in good time. Letting a permit lapse can interrupt trading, so a simple renewal calendar is one of the most useful things we set up for clients.
Not sure where to start?
Tell us what you need. An advisor will help you choose the right service and explain the next steps.