Guest House Operating License

This service can be used to obtain a new operating licence for tourist guest house operations.

Responsible Entity: Ministry of Tourism

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Apply for Guest House Operating License

Before you start

Please ensure that the following service(s) are completed before proceeding with your application.

  • Business Entity Registration (include operation of guest house as an activity)

  • Business Name Registration

  • Land Registration

Note:

  • The establishment should comply with the Regulation for Tourist Guesthouse Operation in the Maldives gazetted on 20th December 2009. 

  • All dues should be paid to MIRA (if any).

Eligibility

  • The minimum rooms that can be registered is 3 rooms

  • The permit will be issued for guesthouses on the following lands only;

    • Land leased by government for residential purpose

    • Land leased by the Ministry of Tourism for the purpose of guest houses  

    • Land allocated by the President for tourism purpose

    • Land allocated and leased for Tourism purpose in the Approved Land Use Plan by the Council

Note: All structures should be located in connected buildings or adjacent plots or plots of land.

How to apply

  • You can apply using an Efaas account.

  • Logging into your own account will direct you to the oneGov homepage.

Documents required

  • Corporate profile sheet (“tourist guest house” should be stated under the objectives/activities of the entity).

  • Approval for building to be used as a guest house

    • For Male’ – Approval from Ministry of Planning Housing & Infrastructure/Male’ City Council

    • For Hulhumale’ – Approval from Housing Development Corporation (HDC)

    • For other islands - “No objection letter” from Island Council Office 

  • Land or premises registration certificate (not required for government leased lands)

  • ID card and Registration card of Owner

    If the owner is deceased: 

    • Official document issued by a court verifying the legal heirs of the owner

    • Deed or lease agreement between both owner and operator. Agreement should include the following:

      • Terms of Agreement

      • Purpose of agreement – should be for the operation/management of tourist guest house.

      • Termination clause

      • In case an event occurs which is not mentioned in agreement what to do

  • Sublease agreement (If the guest house is sub-leased or a third party is involved)

  • No objection of the land owner for the third party to operate a guest house.

  • Guesthouse Insurance Policy (Public Liability and Building Fire Insurance policy/Commercial Fire Policy

  • Council letter with approved land use plan (If the guest house is located in a council plot)

    Note: The plot should be included as a guest house in the approved land use plan of the island. A letter of the Council should be submitted mentioning that the plot is included as a guest house in the approved land use plan of the island.

  • Approval from the Health Protection Agency (HPA), hospital or health post for the operation of a restaurant (for guest houses with restaurant).

  • Disaster management plan.

  • MIRA tax clearance report of current operator (date of issue should not be more than one month from the submission of application form).

    Other documents:

  • Registration Card

  • Room rate sheet

  • Updated staff list (local and foreign)

  • Staff employment contract (Both local and foreign staff in the same post/rank)

After you apply

  • After successful submission, a notification will be sent to your email and phone. 

  • You can check the status of the request from the “My Applications” tab.

  • Inspection is required for all operating licence requests.

  • A request will be sent to notify a convenient date for inspection if the guest house is located in the Greater Male’ Area

  • If the guest house is located in a local island, then a request will be sent to the relevant council for inspection of the guest house

  • Council inspection team will contact the operator to inspect the guest house.

  • Once the inspection is complete all the requirements of inspection will be communicated via letter and sent by the portal.

  • A re-inspection will be done after all the requirements are complete. 

  • The application will remain pending until all requirements are completed. Once the application is processed, the Operating license will be issued via email.

Estimated time frame

  • All duly completed applications will be processed within 7 business days.

Renew Guest House Operating License

Before you start

Please ensure that the following service(s) are completed before proceeding with your application.

  • Business Entity Registration (include operation of guest house as an activity)

  • Business Name Registration

  • Land Registration

Note:

  • The establishment should comply with the Maldives Guesthouse Management Regulation 2010/R-12 gazetted on 20th December 2009.

  • All dues should be paid to MIRA (if any).

Eligibility

  • Renewal applications can be made before existing license expiry

How to apply

  • Logging into your own account will direct you to the oneGov homepage.

Documents required

  • Tax clearance report issued by Maldives Inland Revenue Authority of operator.(issued date shall not be more than 1 month)

  • Updated Tourist Guest House  Disaster Management Plan

  • Updated Tourist Guest House Whole Cover Insurance Policy (public liability and building fire insurance policy or commercial fire policy should be included).

  • Lease period extension/amendment documents (if any)

After you apply

  • After successful submission a notification will be sent to your email and phone. 

  • You can check the status of the request from the “My Applications” tab.  

  • Inspection is required for all guesthouse operating licence requests.

  • A request will be sent to notify a convenient date for inspection.

  • For hotel inspection, 2 staff from MNDF Fire and Rescue will accompany the Ministry’s inspection team

  • All requirements will be communicated via letter and sent by the portal.

  • A re-inspection will be done after all the requirements are complete. 

  • The application will remain pending until all requirements are completed.

  • Once the application is processed, the Operating license will be issued via email.

Estimated time frame

  • All duly completed applications will be processed within 7 business days.

Change Guest House Operating License

Before you start

Please ensure that the following service(s) are completed before proceeding with your application.

  • Tourist Guest House Operating license 

  • Supporting document required for change (name/change of bed numbers/ownership/changes in corporate details/replacement)

Note:

  • Depending on the change

  • The establishment should comply with the Maldives Guesthouse Management Regulation 2010/R-12 gazetted on 20th December 2009. 

  • All dues should be paid to MIRA (if any)

Eligibility

Changing Tourist Guest House Operating license applications can be made for reasons such as: 

  • Change of name

  • Change of ownership

  • Change in bed numbers

  • Change in corporate details 

  • Replacement of lost licence

How to apply

  • Logging into your own account will direct you to the oneGov homepage.

Documents required

  • Tax clearance report issued by Maldives Inland Revenue Authority of operator (issued date shall not be more than 1 month)

  • Supporting document required for change (name/owner/management change  of bed numbers/replacement)

After you apply

  • After successful submission, a notification will be sent to your email and phone. 

  • You can check the status of the request from the “My Applications” tab.

  • Inspection is required for change in owner and bed number requests.

  • A request will be sent to notify a convenient date for inspection if the guest house is located in the Greater Male’ Area

  • If the guest house is located in a local island, then a request will be sent to the relevant council for inspection of the guest house

  • Council inspection team will contact the operator to inspect the guest house.

  • Once the inspection is complete all the requirements of inspection will be communicated via letter and sent by the portal.

  • A re-inspection will be done after all the requirements are complete. 

  • The application will remain pending until all requirements are completed. Once the application is processed, the Operating license will be issued via email.

Estimated time frame

  • All duly completed applications will be processed within 7 business days.

FAQs

How can I apply for a tax clearance certificate?

Tax clearance certificate can be obtained from Maldives Inland Revenue Authority (MIRA).

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