Part of our Nursing Councils of the World series. Last checked: November 2026.
The Maldives is famous for its islands and resorts, but behind the postcards is a health system that relies heavily on foreign nurses, many from India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal and the Philippines. Nurses work in the main hospitals in Malé and Addu, regional and atoll hospitals, island health centres and resort clinics. To practise, every nurse must register with the Maldives Nursing and Midwifery Council (MNMC) and, if newly applying, pass its competency exam.
This guide explains MNMC requirements for foreign nurses, the documents you need, the competency exam, provisional registration, and what life and work are like in the Maldives.
Imagine stepping off a speedboat onto a small island where you are one of three nurses serving a community of a few hundred people. The sea is turquoise, the beach is a short walk away, and when an emergency comes at midnight, you are the first responder until a sea ambulance arrives. Island nursing in the Maldives is beautiful, isolating and deeply responsible, and it starts with getting your MNMC registration right.
Who regulates nursing in the Maldives?
The Maldives Nursing and Midwifery Council (MNMC) operates under the Ministry of Health and the Health Care Professions Act (Law No. 13/2015). It registers and licenses nurses and midwives, sets standards, conducts the competency exam together with the Maldives National University (MNU), and handles professional conduct.
Contact: Secretariat, Maldives Nursing and Midwifery Council, Ministry of Health, Malé. Email: mnmc@health.gov.mv. Telephone: (960) 3014468.
Requirements for foreign nurses
According to the MNMC application form for foreign nurses, you will usually need:
- A recognised nursing qualification at diploma level or above.
- Two years of clinical experience, recent and verified by your nursing in-charge and immediate supervisor. References should state your area of work and that the hospital has at least 150 beds. For specialty qualifications (advanced diploma plus certificate), one year of post-qualification experience in a hospital or medical centre of at least 50 beds may be accepted.
- English language: IELTS band 5.5 or equivalent.
- Certificate of Good Standing (CGS) and verification from the nursing licensing authority where you practised in the last year. The CGS must be no older than six months when the Council receives it.
- Registration certificates from every nursing authority you are registered with.
- Police clearance certificate for contract staff.
Documents checklist
- Notarised copies of your passport.
- Notarised copies of your nursing qualifications (undergraduate and postgraduate).
- Mark sheets and academic transcripts.
- Evidence of valid nursing council registration.
- Certificate of Good Standing and verification certificate.
- Original experience letters. The Council states that it will not accept photocopies of experience evidence.
- Reference letter from your most recent employer.
- IELTS or equivalent result.
- Police clearance (contract staff).
- Employer declaration confirming the information is accurate.
Documents not in English must be submitted with official English translations. Notarisation can be done by the issuing institution, an embassy or consulate of the issuing country, or a government institution of that country. Incomplete or unclear applications are not processed.
The MNMC competency exam
Since 19 March 2018, nurses newly applying for registration at diploma level and above, both Maldivian and expatriate, must pass a competency exam conducted by the MNMC with the Maldives National University.
- Format: multiple-choice questions covering key nursing content areas.
- Pass mark: 60%.
- Fee: MVR 2,000 for expatriates (MVR 1,000 for Maldivians), payable at least 24 hours before the exam.
- Results: released within about two weeks.
- Provisional registration: new applicants receive provisional registration and a licence valid for six months or until they pass. If you do not pass within six months, provisional registration is withdrawn and you can reapply only after one year.
- Returning nurses: nurses who have been out of clinical practice for two years or more must pass the exam when renewing their licence.
Check the current exam schedule with the MNMC or MNU.
Where nurses work
- Indira Gandhi Memorial Hospital (IGMH) and other hospitals in Malé, the main referral centres.
- Regional and atoll hospitals across the country.
- Island health centres, often with small teams covering emergencies, maternal and child health, and chronic disease.
- Private hospitals and clinics in Malé.
- Resort clinics, serving guests and staff.
Government health facilities are managed through the national health system and recruit internationally through official vacancy announcements and approved recruitment agencies.
Life and work in the Maldives
- Isolation: island postings can be remote, with limited shopping, entertainment and transport. Strong teamwork and self-reliance are essential.
- Emergencies: serious cases require transfer by boat or seaplane, so early recognition and stabilisation skills matter.
- Culture: the Maldives is a Muslim country with conservative norms, especially on local islands. Dress modestly, respect prayer times and local customs, and learn about Ramadan practices.
- Language: Dhivehi is the national language. Learning basic phrases helps with patients, although English is widely used in health care.
- Climate: hot and humid all year.
- Contracts: check salary, accommodation, flights, leave and island allowance before signing, and ensure your employer handles your work permit correctly.
Tips for a smooth application
- Request your Certificate of Good Standing close to submission so it is under six months old.
- Make sure experience letters state dates, area of work and bed capacity.
- Book IELTS early if you do not already have a valid score.
- Prepare for the competency exam with a broad review of medical-surgical, maternal and child, paediatric, emergency and community nursing.
- Use only reputable recruiters; never pay large fees for “guaranteed” jobs.
Health care in the Maldives: what to expect
The Maldives has a population of a little over half a million people spread across nearly 200 inhabited islands in 26 natural atolls. Health care is organised in tiers: island health centres provide primary care and emergency stabilisation, atoll and regional hospitals provide wider services, and Malé hosts the main tertiary referral hospital and private hospitals. Transport between islands depends on boats and seaplanes, and weather can delay transfers, so nurses on remote islands often manage emergencies longer than in other countries.
Common clinical work includes maternal and child health, immunisation, non-communicable diseases such as diabetes and hypertension, injuries, and care for both locals and the large tourist and resort-worker population. Dengue and other tropical infections occur, and thalassaemia is an important public health issue in the Maldives, so familiarity with transfusion-dependent patients is useful.
Renewing your registration
MNMC registration and licences must be renewed before expiry. Keep your passport, work permit, contract and continuing education records up to date. If you are out of clinical practice for two years or more, the MNMC requires you to pass the competency exam again before renewal. Ask your employer’s human resources department to remind you of renewal dates, but remember that keeping your licence valid is your professional responsibility.
Contracts and work permits
- Your employer applies for your work permit and visa; never work on a tourist visa.
- Check salary, allowances (including island or hardship allowances), accommodation, food arrangements, flights, leave and medical cover in writing.
- Clarify the posting location and whether transfers between islands are possible.
- Keep copies of your contract, registration and work permit.
Where foreign nurses in the Maldives come from
Foreign nurses in the Maldives commonly come from India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal and the Philippines. Many use Maldivian experience as a stepping stone to the Gulf, Europe or other destinations, because island nursing builds strong skills in emergency care, independence and community health. If you are a Bangladeshi nurse, see also our guide to the Bangladesh Nursing and Midwifery Council.
Frequently asked questions
Do foreign nurses need to pass an exam in the Maldives?
Yes. Nurses newly applying for registration at diploma level and above must pass the MNMC competency exam, with a pass mark of 60%.
What IELTS score do I need for the Maldives?
IELTS 5.5 or an equivalent result.
How much experience do I need?
Usually two years of verified clinical experience in a hospital of at least 150 beds, with exceptions for some specialty qualifications.
How long is provisional registration valid?
Six months, or until you pass the competency exam.
But is island nursing right for you?
If you love independence, enjoy community health and can handle isolation, the Maldives offers a unique nursing experience in a stunning setting. If you need city life, frequent family contact or a large team around you, choose a Malé hospital posting or another country. Ask recruiters exactly where you will be posted before you accept.
Your next step: Email mnmc@health.gov.mv to confirm the current application form and exam schedule, and ask your current employer for an experience letter stating your dates, ward and hospital bed capacity.
Related: Nursing councils of the world · Fake nursing recruitment agencies: red flags
Sources: Maldives Ministry of Health, MNMC application form for foreign nurses and competency exam information; Health Care Professions Act (Law No. 13/2015). Confirm current requirements and fees with the MNMC.
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