In short
Company registration in the Maldives sets up a private limited company with the Registrar through the government Business Portal. DBS Maldives plans the structure with you, reserves the name, prepares and files the application, and follows it through until the electronic registry documents are issued.
What is company registration in the Maldives?
Company registration in the Maldives is the process of incorporating a private limited company with the Registrar under the Ministry of Economic Development and Trade. The application is made online through the government Business Portal, and once it is approved the registry documents are issued electronically.
A company is the structure most owners choose when they want the business held in its own name rather than their own. It is also the route open to foreign investors, who cannot use a sole proprietorship.
The rules have changed recently. A new Companies Act was ratified at the end of 2023, and a new Foreign Investments Act followed in 2024. Guidance written before then may no longer apply, so we check the current requirements for every application we prepare.
How DBS Maldives helps
- We talk through ownership, management and future plans, so the company is set up the way you intend to run it.
- We search and reserve the company name through our business name registration service.
- We prepare the application, check every detail against your documents, and submit it through the Business Portal.
- We record the company's activities correctly from the start with business activity registration.
- We follow the application with the Registrar and respond to any queries.
- Once the company exists, we look at whether it needs GST registration with MIRA.
- If any owner is a foreign investor, we start with foreign investment registration, which comes before the company is registered.
How to register a company in the Maldives
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Initial consultation
We confirm who will own and manage the company, whether any foreign investment is involved, and what the company will do.
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Name search and reservation
We check your proposed name for availability and submit it for approval, with alternatives ready in case it is rejected.
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Prepare the application
We draft the application and supporting details, and review them with you before anything is filed.
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Submit through the Business Portal
The application is filed online using the applicant's eFaas login. We guide you through any step that needs your own sign-in.
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Registry documents and next registrations
When the Registrar approves the company, the documents are issued electronically. We then plan GST and any activity permits.
What documents do I need to register a company?
- eFaas login for the person submitting the application
- Identity documents for each owner, as we confirm for your case
- Your proposed company name, plus two or more alternatives
- A clear description of what the company will do
- Details of who will own the company and in what proportions
- Details of the people who will manage it
- The address the company will operate from
- Information on any foreign investment involved
Common mistakes to avoid
- Relying on outdated guidance. Much of what is online predates the new Companies Act. Check current requirements before you prepare anything.
- Choosing a name too close to an existing one. Names that closely resemble registered businesses can be rejected, which delays the whole application.
- Describing activities too broadly or too narrowly. Your registered activities shape which permits and approvals you will need later.
- Leaving foreign investment until last. If any owner is a foreign national, that approval process needs to be planned from the start.
- Forgetting what comes after. Registration is the first step. Tax registration and permits usually follow.
If you are ready to start, send us a short enquiry and we will set out what your company needs.
Frequently asked questions
How do I register a company in the Maldives?
Companies are registered online with the Registrar through the government Business Portal. You reserve a company name, prepare the application with details of ownership and management, and submit it using an eFaas login. Registry documents are issued electronically once the company is approved.
Can a foreigner own a company in the Maldives?
Foreign individuals who want to do business in the Maldives must register a company or a partnership, not a sole proprietorship. Foreign investment has its own approval process, so we confirm the current requirements for your situation before the company application is prepared.
Has company law in the Maldives changed recently?
Yes. A new Companies Act was ratified at the end of 2023, and a new Foreign Investments Act followed in 2024. Registry documents are now issued electronically. Older guides and templates may not reflect these changes, so check the current position before relying on them.
How long does company registration take in the Maldives?
Processing times vary with the Registrar's workload, how complete the application is, and whether foreign investment approval is needed. A well-prepared application avoids most avoidable delays. We give you a realistic picture once we know your circumstances.
Do I need to register for GST after registering a company?
Not always. If the company will supply tourism goods and services, GST registration with MIRA is required whatever its turnover. Otherwise, registration becomes necessary when taxable supplies pass MIRA's threshold. We check which applies to your company.
Do I need eFaas to register a company in the Maldives?
Yes. Online business registration applications use the applicant's eFaas login, the national digital identity. If eFaas is not set up, or a step needs your own sign-in, we guide you through it so the application is not held up.
How do I check if a company is registered in the Maldives?
Search the Maldives Business Registry on the government Business Portal, business.egov.mv. Anyone can look up registered businesses there and view their details. We use it to check names and existing registrations before preparing an application.
What is the company registration fee in the Maldives?
The Business Portal calculates the registration fee for each application, and we confirm the amount with you before submitting. Our Government fees page lists the official fees that commonly apply to businesses, each with its source and the date it was checked.
Last reviewed 6 October 2026. Requirements change; we confirm the current rules with you before any application.