Registering a Company in Maldives

Two types of companies can be registered in the Maldives under The Companies Act (10/96). They are:

- Private Limited Companies (Pvt Ltd)  

- Public Limited Companies (Plc).

Private Limited Company (Pvt Ltd)

Both local and foreign individuals and companies can form a private limited company. The Company name will end with Pvt Ltd as a suffix.

Foreigners and foreign companies can register a private limited company in the Maldives but these companies are referred to as Foreign Investments and are governed jointly under the Companies Act (10/96) and the Law on Foreign Investments (25/79). The documents required to register foreign companies are slightly different. More information on Foreign Investments is available here.

Procedures

The Ministry of Economic Development, under The Companies Act of the Republic of Maldives, Law no. (10/96), must register all the companies in Maldives. The following describes the procedure.

Criteria/Prerequisites

· The Company to be registered must have at least two shareholders above the age of 18.

· Minimum capital for a Private limited company is 2000/- (Two thousand) Maldivian rufiyaa.

· Minimum capital for a Public limited company is 1000,000/- (One million) Maldivian rufiyaa.

Procedures

1.Take a queue number. When your number is displayed, submit the filled application form along with the necessary documents (listed in “Documents and Forms required”) to the counter two (Company Counter).

2.Provide your contact details to the staff at the counter.

3.Once the documents are approved you will be informed (via phone) to attend the Ministry.

4.Take a queue number for Counter Two (Company Counter), and when your number is displayed, obtain the payment slip issued. The payment slip will expire in three days.

6.Make payment for the Company registration fee and Annual fee at counter number five (Cashier Counter) and obtain the payment receipt. No queue number is required at this counter. 

7.After payment is made, show the payment receipt to Counter two (no queue number is required).

8.You will receive the Registration Certificate, the Instruction Letter, and an endorsed copy of articles and memorandum of association within 10 minutes.

9.Check the certificate for final verification. If any problem is noticed, directly consult the counter staff. 

Documents and forms required

Company Name Search and Reservation Form

Memorandum of Association (Dhivehi mandatory).

Articles of association (Dhivehi mandatory).

Company registration application form.

Acceptance letter of Managing director.

Acceptance letter of Company Secretary.

Original and Copy of the ID cards of the Shareholders, Board of Directors (if different) and Secretary.

Revenue stamp (Rf 500/- when collecting the Registration Certificate).

Two sets of copies of the forms and documents are required. 

Fee

Form set: Download from www.trade.gov.mv for free or purchase from the post office counter.

Registration fee: Depends on the capital of the company (Please refer to company act).

Annual fee:

Rf  2,000/- for private companies.

Rf  10,000/- for public companies.

Additional Information

The procedure of registering a company usually takes one to two working days, but it may take slightly longer if the documents are incomplete or if the Ministry faces unforeseen operational issues.