Rules and changes

New or changed taxes, fees, fines, bans, limits and rules from the last 60 days that name a theme and say something changed. A day is shown only when the news names a single day, with the sentence it came from.

Parliament (bills and sittings) · Notices

Recently reported

New immigration bill proposes indefinite ban on Israeli passport holders The Standard · published 9 November · Bans and limits Source (opens The Standard in a new tab)
Veymandoo’s new hospital will be a reliable facility for the entire region: Kuwait Fund The Maldives government and the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development signed a loan agreement for 3 million Kuwaiti Dinars (about USD 9.7 million) to develop the Thaa Atoll Hospital in Veymandoo, the fund's first investment in the Maldivian healthcare sector and its 15th loan to the country. At the ceremony, the Kuwait Fund's Acting Director General also announced it is raising the Maldives' annual country limit from about USD 10 million to USD 40 million effective next year. Raajje (English) · published 6 November · Bans and limits Source (opens Raajje (English) in a new tab)
Kuwait Fund quadruples Maldives’ annual financing limit to USD... The Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development agreed to raise the Maldives' annual financing limit from USD 10 million to USD 40 million from 2027, and signed a loan agreement worth about USD 9.7 million for a 50-bed hospital in Veymandoo. The two sides also discussed possible financing for the Thilafushi port development project as the partnership marks 50 years. MM TV (English) · published 5 November · Bans and limits Source (opens MM TV (English) in a new tab)
Pension-funded Hajj bookings now open to members aged 65 and above New regulations under the sixth amendment to the Maldives Pension Act remove the age-65 restriction, allowing eligible Maldives Retirement Pension Scheme members aged 65 and above to reserve a Hajj place using their retirement savings. The Pension Office said more than 23,000 members met the conditions for pension-funded Hajj. MM TV (English) · published 5 November · Bans and limits, Rules and laws Source (opens MM TV (English) in a new tab)
SME Digital doubles business financing limit to MVR 10 million SME Digital has raised the financing limits for its Asset Financing, Business Expansion Financing and Vessel Financing facilities from MVR 5 million to MVR 10 million to expand funding access for small and medium-sized enterprises. Vessel Financing covers fisheries and tourism craft such as fishing vessels, dive dhonis, sports fishing boats and excursion vessels, and applications are submitted through the SME Portal on SME Digital's website. MM TV (English) · published 5 November · Bans and limits Source (opens MM TV (English) in a new tab)
E-commerce platform The Patchee opens doors to MVR payments E-commerce platform The Patchee has introduced a Maldivian Rufiyaa payment option for customers in the Maldives, letting purchases be completed with locally issued debit and credit cards on its Maldives website. The platform says product prices are displayed in MVR and advertises local card payments without spending limits, as foreign currency access for international online transactions remains a concern for consumers. MM TV (English) · published 5 November · Bans and limits Source (opens MM TV (English) in a new tab)
Maldive Gas limits sale of cooking gas! Maldive Gas has placed limits on the sale of cooking gas cylinders, filling them below their stated capacity because of rising global gas prices. The company said gas prices will not be increased and charges will continue at current rates. Raajje (English) · published 4 November · Bans and limits Source (opens Raajje (English) in a new tab)
MDP accuses govt of restricting opposition's role in parliament MDP MPs protested in parliament, accusing the government of restricting the opposition's role. The party cited amendments to parliamentary rules, rejection of opposition resolutions, and limits on speaking time. Atoll Times · published 4 November · Bans and limits, Rules and laws Source (opens Atoll Times in a new tab)
Maldives Gas to reduce cylinder refill quantities from 7 November Maldives Gas will reduce the quantity of gas in its cylinders from 7 November while keeping the price per kilogram unchanged, citing rising international gas prices and import difficulties amid the worsening situation in the Middle East. The company said it is working to expand storage capacity to reduce the impact of international price swings and import restrictions. MM TV (English) · published 4 November · Bans and limits Source (opens MM TV (English) in a new tab)
Agreement signed with Kuwait Fund to develop Th. Atoll Hospital The Government of the Maldives signed an agreement with the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development for a loan of 3 Million Kuwaiti Dinars (about USD 9.7 million) to build a modern 50-bed Th. Veymandoo New Hospital in Th. Atoll. The Fund also announced it will raise its annual loan limit for the Maldives from USD 10 million to approximately USD 40 million from 2027 onwards. Ministry of Finance and Public Enterprises · published 4 November · Bans and limits Source (opens Ministry of Finance and Public Enterprises in a new tab)
Tax Bill sent back to Economic Committee A bill amending the Income Tax Act to raise State revenue by MVR 496.3 million was referred back to Parliament's Economic Affairs Committee after the Whole House Committee approved the referral, with all 47 voting MPs in support. The bill, submitted by Vilufushi MP Hassan Waheed on 21 October, would cap interest deductions at 25 per cent of a taxpayer's tax EBITDA and take effect from 1 January 2027 if passed. One Online · published 2 November · Tax and duty, Bans and limits Source (opens One Online in a new tab)
Bill proposing amendments to Education Act to introduce homeschooling accepted, forwarded for committee review Parliament unanimously accepted a government-sponsored bill amending the Education Act to introduce homeschooling and forwarded it to a joint committee for review, with all 41 members present voting in favor. MDP members raised concerns that the bill restricts homeschooling to wealthy children and undermines certain Employment Act rights, saying it is unfit for passage in its current form. Raajje (English) · published 2 November · Bans and limits, Rules and laws Source (opens Raajje (English) in a new tab)
Pres. Muizzu vs undeniable record on banning Israeli passports An opinion piece arguing that President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu's claim to have pioneered the ban on Israeli passport holders is a distortion of the recorded legislative timeline. It traces the Immigration Act revision to MDP MP Meekail Ahmed Naseem in May 2023 and says the bill stalled in the 241 Committee for over a year before public demonstrations forced action. Raajje (English) · published 31 October · Bans and limits Source (opens Raajje (English) in a new tab)
RSW financing opens with increased MVR 4 million limit The Refrigerated Seawater (RSW) Financing Scheme run by SME Digital has raised its collateral-free financing limit to MVR 4 million and expanded the facility to cover the installation and replacement of fishing vessel engines, in addition to RSW systems, generator sets and solar panels. Financing carries a six per cent annual profit rate with repayment of up to 10 years including a six-month grace period, funded by the Islamic Development Bank and the Lives and Livelihoods Fund. MM TV (English) · published 30 October · Bans and limits Source (opens MM TV (English) in a new tab)
Law amendment aims to prevent student exclusion: Minister Education Minister Dr Ismail Shafeeu said a proposed amendment to the Education Act will set clear legal rules for home-schooling, restrict eligibility to students registered at a school, and require a special assessment, formalising the 2021 inclusive education policy. Huraa MP Dr Anara Naeem has submitted the bill, and 46 students currently receive home-based education. The Edition · published 29 October · Bans and limits, Rules and laws Source (opens The Edition in a new tab)
Nothing untoward with Rasmale', agreement will be sent to Parliament: President President Dr Mohamed Muizzu said the government will submit its agreement with UAE-based Eagle Hills for the 500-hectare Rasmale' development to Parliament, along with a bill introducing a special law governing real estate tourism. Speaking on PSM's Nation Chat programme, he said alcohol, pork and casinos would not be permitted, that property sales to any single country would be capped at 25 percent, and that sales or rentals to Israeli citizens would be prohibited. The Edition · published 29 October · Bans and limits, Rules and laws Source (opens The Edition in a new tab)
Only Maldivians and foreign Muslims expected to reside in Rasmalé: President President Dr Mohamed Muizzu said the USD 20 billion Rasmalé Waterfront and Marina development by UAE-based Eagle Hills is expected to be home mostly to Maldivians and foreign Muslim residents, and that Israeli nationals will not be permitted to buy or rent property there or enter the Maldives. He announced the government intends to introduce legislation capping property sales to nationals of any single foreign country at 25 percent, with no quota for Maldivian buyers. The Standard · published 29 October · Bans and limits Source (opens The Standard in a new tab)
Transformation of a super-majority into a monarchy An opinion commentary argues that the super-majority won by President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu's administration has been used to rewrite party-defection rules, fund PNC members, constrain journalists, issue a gag order, and cut funding and property powers of local councils. It also cites restrictions on informal exchange-rate reporting and a promotional campaign for the Ras Malé development. Raajje (English) · published 28 October · Bans and limits, Rules and laws Source (opens Raajje (English) in a new tab)
Parliament removes controversial Penal Code amendment from agenda Parliament removed a controversial Penal Code amendment from its sitting agenda. The move follows criticism of the proposed legislation, with opponents alleging its provisions could be used to restrict protests against the Eagle Hills project. Atoll Times · published 27 October · Bans and limits, Rules and laws Source (opens Atoll Times in a new tab)
BML sets monthly dollar withdrawal limit at $3,500 via ATMs Bank of Maldives announced a $3,500 monthly limit on US dollar cash withdrawals via its ATMs starting October, the first such monthly cap on dollar ATM withdrawals by the national bank. Daily ATM withdrawals of up to $1,600 remain unchanged, with BML describing the move as part of its digital-first banking strategy to reduce reliance on cash. Raajje (English) · published 1 October · Bans and limits Source (opens Raajje (English) in a new tab)