In short
An expat quota in the Maldives is the allowance an employer must hold before a foreign worker enters the country. Requests are made through the National Job Centre portal, jobcenter.mv, by registered employers. DBS Maldives prepares and follows up your quota request so it supports your hiring plan.
What is an expat quota in the Maldives?
An expat quota in the Maldives sets out the foreign workers an employer is allowed to bring in. The employer must hold quota before the employee enters the Maldives. Quota requests are made through the National Job Centre's portal, jobcenter.mv, by employers registered on it.
Quota is the first approval in the foreign hiring sequence. Without it, the work permit application cannot go ahead. DBS Maldives prepares your request so it reflects the roles you actually need.
When do you need to request quota?
- When you plan to hire a foreign worker for the first time
- When you add foreign roles because the business is growing
How DBS Maldives helps
- Portal readiness. We check that your business is registered on jobcenter.mv and that its details are correct.
- Headcount review. We look at your existing quota and foreign staff to see what is genuinely needed.
- Request preparation. We describe each role clearly and consistently, using the job titles you will later use for permits.
- Follow-up. We track the request and respond to any query from the authorities.
- Planning ahead. We link your quota to your hiring calendar so candidates are not kept waiting.
How does a quota request work?
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Review your position
We list your current foreign staff, existing quota and the roles you plan to fill.
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Confirm portal access
We make sure your business is registered on jobcenter.mv and the account details are current.
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Prepare the request
We draft the request with consistent job titles and a clear reason for each role.
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Submit and track
The request is submitted through jobcenter.mv and we follow it until a decision is made.
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Move to permits
Once quota is in place, we can begin the work permit stage for each employee.
What information do you need for a quota request?
- Your business registration details
- Access to your employer account on jobcenter.mv, or our help to register
- The job titles and number of foreign workers you need
- Your current workforce, both local and foreign
- Any further information the current process asks for, which we confirm first
Common quota mistakes to avoid
- Recruiting abroad and arranging travel before quota is approved
- Requesting a job title that differs from the one on the offer letter
- Requesting more roles than you can justify, which invites questions
- Letting the employer account on jobcenter.mv fall out of date
If you also need the candidate found and brought in, our expat hiring service covers every stage. To start a quota request, get in touch.
Frequently asked questions
Where do I apply for an expat quota in the Maldives?
Quota requests are made through the National Job Centre's portal, jobcenter.mv, by employers registered on it. DBS Maldives can check your registration, prepare the request and follow it up, so it matches the roles and job titles you plan to use for work permits.
Do I need quota before my foreign worker arrives?
Yes. An employer must hold a foreign-worker quota before the employee enters the Maldives. That is why quota comes first in the hiring sequence, ahead of the work permit and work visa. We advise against booking travel until it is in place.
What is the difference between quota and a work permit?
Quota is the employer's allowance to bring in foreign workers, requested through jobcenter.mv. A work permit is the approval for a specific employee, applied for through Xpat Online. You need quota first, then a permit for each person, plus a work visa from Maldives Immigration.
Can you help if my business is not yet registered on jobcenter.mv?
Yes. We guide you through registering your business on the portal and check that the details match your business registration records. Once the account is active, we prepare the quota request, so the whole process is handled in one place.
Will my quota request be approved?
We cannot promise approval, because the decision belongs to the authorities. We can make sure your request is complete, consistent and clearly explained, and that it reflects a genuine need, which gives it the best footing for a fair assessment.
Do small businesses pay quota fees in the Maldives?
Small and medium enterprises are exempt from quota fees for a set number of expatriate quotas. The concession cannot be repeated across businesses that share the same owner, shareholder or partner. We check whether your business qualifies before you request quota.
Last reviewed 6 October 2026. Requirements change; we confirm the current rules with you before any application.