Maldives unveils investor residency plan to attract global wealth

MALE, Maldives (MNTV) — The Maldives has announced a new investor residency program designed to attract high-net-worth individuals seeking long-term residence in the Indian Ocean archipelago, marking a major step toward economic diversification beyond tourism.

Unveiled by Economic Minister Mohamed Saeed at the 19th Global Citizenship Conference in London, the initiative — titled “The Maldives Pearl Residence” — is scheduled for official launch in April 2026. The government described the program as part of President Mohamed Muizzu’s broader strategy to build a “sustainable, innovation-driven economy.”

According to a statement issued by the Ministry of Economic Development, the residency scheme reflects a “new era of responsible investment,” promoting ventures that blend sustainability with long-term value creation. 

The plan is being developed in partnership with Henley & Partners, a London-based firm that advises governments on citizenship and residency by investment and manages similar programs in the Caribbean, Europe, and the Middle East.

Under the arrangement signed during the Maldives–Singapore Business Forum 2025, Henley & Partners will assist in structuring the program to meet global standards of transparency and compliance. While the government has not yet disclosed the minimum investment threshold, officials said the focus would be on high-value projects in real estate, renewable energy, and technology infrastructure — sectors that align with the island nation’s Vision 2030 development roadmap.

Analysts say the move positions the Maldives to join a growing group of small island economies using investor residency schemes to draw sustainable foreign capital. Similar programs in Mauritius, Portugal, and the United Arab Emirates have been credited with boosting property markets and startup ecosystems while enhancing fiscal resilience.

For the Maldives, whose economy remains heavily reliant on tourism — contributing nearly 30 percent of its GDP — such diversification is viewed as crucial amid climate threats and fluctuating global travel demand. By linking residency to green and socially responsible investments, the government hopes to rebrand the Maldives as not only a luxury destination but also a secure, future-focused investment hub.