As far as we know the Maldives is not a party to the Apostille Convention, so documents are notarised in the Maldives, attested by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Malé and then by the High Commission of India. Indian citizens can usually sign directly before the Indian consular officer. The Maldives is not a reciprocating territory, but it joined the New York Convention in 2019, so arbitration awards from the Maldives can generally be enforced in India.
- Document route
- Maldivian notary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs attestation, then Indian High Commission attestation
- Time difference
- IST is 30 minutes ahead of the Maldives all year
- Foreign judgments in India
- Not reciprocating: fresh suit
- Apostille with India
- Not in force as far as known: consular attestation (check current status)
Indians in the Maldives and Maldivian business with India
Indians are one of the largest expatriate groups in the Maldives, working in schools, hospitals, resorts, construction and finance across Malé, Hulhumalé, Addu and the resort atolls. Many are on long contracts and become non-residents for Indian tax and FEMA purposes, while keeping homes, parents and property in Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and North India. Maldivian resorts and traders buy food, building materials and equipment from India, and Maldivian families travel to India for medical treatment and education.
We help with powers of attorney, selling and buying property in India, property disputes with relatives or tenants, divorce and family cases while working abroad, supply contracts and recovering money from Indian parties.
Signing documents in the Maldives for use in India
The Maldives is not, as far as we are aware, a party to the Hague Apostille Convention, so documents follow the legalisation route. Confirm the position with us before you sign. The usual chain is:
- Sign before a notary public in the Maldives with your passport and work permit.
- Have the notarised document attested by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Malé.
- Have it attested by the High Commission of India in Malé, then courier it to India and stamp it within three months.
Indian citizens can usually sign a power of attorney or affidavit directly before the consular officer at the High Commission, which is faster for those working in or near Malé. Staff on distant resort islands often plan a single visit to Malé to sign everything together, so we prepare all documents in advance.
Most requested services from Maldives
These six services cover most of what Indians and businesses in the Maldives need from an Indian lawyer. Each page explains the route from the Maldives and what then happens in India.
Power of Attorney
Sign at the High Commission in Malé and let a relative in India act on property, bank or court work.
Buying & Selling Property
NRIs in the Maldives buy and sell Indian homes through an attorney holder, with TDS and repatriation.
Property Disputes
Relatives or tenants occupying your home in India while you work on the islands.
Divorce for NRIs
Mutual consent and contested divorce in India while working in the Maldives.
Money Recovery from India
Maldivian businesses recover advances and unpaid dues from Indian suppliers.
Commercial Contracts
Resort, construction and supply contracts with Indian companies that are enforceable in India.
NRI status, bank accounts and tax
An Indian who goes to the Maldives for employment becomes a non-resident under FEMA, and usually under the Income-tax Act once they spend fewer than 182 days in India in the tax year. Savings accounts should then be converted to NRO accounts, and salary earned in the Maldives can be kept in NRE accounts. The Maldives introduced personal income tax in 2020, so Maldivian tax may apply to salary there. As far as we know there is no comprehensive tax treaty between India and the Maldives, although they cooperate on tax information, so check how any Indian income will be taxed in both places.
Property and moving money
NRIs in the Maldives can buy and sell Indian residential and commercial property, other than agricultural land and farmhouses, freely. Buyers deduct tax at source on the capital gain at non-resident rates, and NRIs can repatriate up to USD 1 million per financial year from an NRO account after tax. Maldivian citizens are not on the list of nationalities that need RBI permission, but as foreign nationals resident outside India they cannot generally buy immovable property in India unless they are of Indian origin with OCI status, so a lease is usually the practical route.
Maldivian judgments, contracts and family matters
The Maldives has not been notified as a reciprocating territory under section 44A of the Code of Civil Procedure, so a Maldivian judgment can only found a fresh suit in India, subject to section 13. The Maldives acceded to the New York Convention in 2019, so awards made there are generally enforceable in India under Part II of the Arbitration Act. For Indians working in the Maldives, divorce, maintenance and custody cases are usually filed in India, where the couple last lived together, and hearings can often be attended by video.
All services for clients in Maldives
NRI Property Law
- Property Disputes
- Encroachment & Illegal Possession
- Partition of Family Property
- Buying & Selling Property
- Title Search & Due Diligence
- Tenant Eviction
- Builder Delay & RERA
Inheritance & Documents
Cross-Border Family Law
- Divorce for NRIs
- International Child Custody
- Maintenance & Alimony
- Marriage Registration
- 498A & Dowry Case Defence
- OCI Card Issues
Doing Business in India
- Company Setup for Foreigners
- Indian Subsidiary Setup
- Branch & Liaison Office
- FDI & FEMA Compliance
- Trademark Protection in India
- Commercial Contracts
- Employment Law for Foreign Employers
- GST for Foreign Businesses
- Investing in Indian Startups
- Legal Advisory for NRI Investors
Disputes & Enforcement
- International Arbitration
- Enforcing Foreign Judgments
- Money Recovery from India
- Shareholder Disputes & NCLT
- Accident Compensation Claims
- Cyber & Investment Fraud
- Criminal Defence & Look Out Circulars
Cross-Border Tax & Money
Indian missions in the Maldives
The High Commission in Malé provides passport, OCI and attestation services for Indian nationals in the Maldives, and India also has a Consulate General in Addu City.
- High Commission of India, Malé
- Consulate General of India, Addu City
Frequently asked questions
Does the Maldives issue apostilles for documents going to India?
As far as we know the Maldives is not a party to the Apostille Convention, so documents are attested by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Indian High Commission.
Can I sign a power of attorney at the High Commission in Malé?
Indian citizens usually can, before the consular officer, which is the quickest route.
I work at a resort. Do I have to travel to Malé to sign?
For mission attestation, yes. We prepare everything in advance so that one visit is enough.
Am I an NRI while working in the Maldives?
Usually yes for FEMA, and for income tax if you spend fewer than 182 days in India in the year.
Can I get divorced in India while working in the Maldives?
Yes. Mutual consent divorce can often be completed with limited personal attendance, and contested cases can use video hearings where courts allow.
Can a Maldivian arbitration award be enforced in India?
Generally yes, since the Maldives joined the New York Convention in 2019.
Can a Maldivian citizen buy a flat in India?
Generally not, unless they hold OCI status. A lease is the usual alternative.
How do we communicate?
By video call, email and WhatsApp. The Maldives is only half an hour behind India.