In short
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 sector licences apply to you, prepares and submits the applications, and keeps track of every renewal date.
What is a business permit in the Maldives?
A business permit in the Maldives is official permission to carry on a particular activity, at a particular place, after the business itself has been registered. Registration tells the government that your business exists. A permit or licence tells it that you are allowed to do a specific thing, such as open a shop, run a café or operate a guest house.
People search for this under several names: business permit, business licence, trade licence or trade permit. In practice there is rarely a single document. Most businesses need a combination, and the mix depends on the activity, the premises and the island.
The agency responsible for some permits has changed more than once in recent years, and older guides online often name the wrong office. We check the current route for each permit before preparing anything.
Which permits might my business need?
- Premises permits. Island councils offer a land and building use permit through oneGov, so a registered business can use land or a building for commercial purposes.
- Sector licences. Some activities have their own regulator. A tourist guest house, for example, needs a permit from the Ministry of Tourism.
- Operating permits. oneGov lets businesses obtain or change a 24-hour operating permit status.
- Import registration. If you bring in goods to sell, see our import licence service.
- Foreign investment. Businesses with foreign owners need an investment licence, covered by foreign investment registration.
Your registered activities shape all of this, so we review them first. If they do not match what you plan to do, we start with business activity registration.
How to get a business permit in the Maldives
-
Review your business
We look at your registration, registered activities, premises and plans, and list every permit and licence that is likely to apply.
-
Confirm the current route
For each permit we confirm which office handles it today, what it asks for and whether it is applied for online or in person.
-
Prepare the applications
We gather your documents, complete the forms and check every detail against your registry record before submission.
-
Submit and follow up
We submit through oneGov or the relevant office, answer any queries and keep you informed until a decision is made.
-
Track renewals
Each permit goes on a renewal calendar, so you are reminded well before anything expires.
What documents do I need for a business permit?
- Your business registration details from the Registrar
- A list of your registered business activities
- eFaas login for the person submitting online applications
- Details of the premises, such as a lease or ownership papers
- Identity documents for the owners, as we confirm for your case
- Any approvals already held from other agencies
- Sector-specific documents where a regulator asks for them
Common mistakes to avoid
- Opening before permits are in place. Trading from premises without the required permission can bring problems with the authorities and a difficult start.
- Following outdated guidance. Responsibility for some permits has moved between agencies. Old forms and office names may no longer apply.
- Signing a lease too early. Check that the premises can be used for your activity before you commit to the rent.
- Registered activities that do not match. A permit application can stall if your registry record does not cover the activity.
- Missing renewals. Many permits must be renewed. A lapsed permit can interrupt trading at the worst moment.
To find out what your business needs, send us a short enquiry.
Frequently asked questions
How do I get a business licence in the Maldives?
First register the business with the Registrar and make sure your registered activities match what you plan to do. Then identify the permits your activity and premises need, and apply to each office, many of them online through oneGov. We prepare and submit the applications for you.
Is a trade licence the same as a business permit?
People use the terms loosely. In the Maldives there is rarely one single trade licence. A business usually needs its registration plus the permits that apply to its premises and activity. We look at your business as a whole and list what you need.
Who issues business permits in the Maldives?
It depends on the permit. Councils handle land and building use permits, sector regulators such as the Ministry of Tourism handle their own licences, and Customs handles importer registration. Responsibility for some permits has changed over the years, so we confirm the current office before applying.
Do I need a permit to run a business from home?
Possibly. Using a residential building for commercial activity can need permission, and some activities need their own licence wherever they take place. Guest houses are a clear example. We check your activity and location and tell you what applies.
How long does a business permit take in the Maldives?
Processing times vary by permit, by office and by how complete the application is. The most common cause of delay is missing or inconsistent paperwork. We check everything before submission and follow each application until a decision is made.
Last reviewed 6 October 2026. Requirements change; we confirm the current rules with you before any application.