Moving to Maldives from Canada

moving to

What to Expect

Considering a move from Canada to Maldives? Here's how the two countries compare on cost, climate, safety, and more.

If you moved from Canada to Maldives, and you’d need to navigate life in Maldivian. You’ll also switch from driving on the right to the left.

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Who Else Is Making This Move?

What the data shows about people moving from Canada to Maldives.

Living there in 2020
101 ↑ 7% vs 2015

people born in Canada live in Maldives · UN DESA

Who's moving to Maldives?

Top countries of origin for Maldives's foreign-born residents.

Foreign-born population · UN DESA (2020)

Key Indicator Comparison

The numbers behind daily life in Maldives compared to Canada.

Is it safe?

Homicide rate United Nations SDG Indicators, 2022

per 100,000 people per year

CA
2.3
MV
0.6
Road traffic deaths United Nations SDG Indicators, 2021

per 100,000 people per year

CA
4.7
MV
1.3

Maldives performs significantly better than Canada across all safety metrics.

How's the healthcare?

Healthcare spending per person World Bank, 2024

annual government + private spending per person

CA
$7,646
MV
$2,288
Doctors per 10,000 people United Nations SDG Indicators, 2022

affects wait times and access to care

CA
25.0
MV
21.6

Canada generally does better on health & wellbeing, though Maldives leads in healthcare spending per person.

What about the environment?

Air pollution deaths United Nations SDG Indicators, 2019

deaths attributable to air pollution per 100k people

CA
8.0
MV
29.0
CO₂ emissions per capita World Bank, 2024

tonnes of CO₂ emitted per person per year

CA
14.0t
MV
3.6t

Canada generally does better on environment, though Maldives leads in co₂ emissions per capita.

Will I have good infrastructure?

Broadband per 100 people United Nations SDG Indicators, 2022

fixed broadband subscriptions — key for remote work

CA
42.6
MV
17.4
Water stress level United Nations SDG Indicators, 2021

higher means greater strain on freshwater supply

CA
3.7%
MV
15.7%

Canada performs better than Maldives across all infrastructure metrics.

What are the job prospects?

Unemployment rate The World Factbook, 2023

percentage of the labour force without work

CA
5.4%
MV
4.1%
GDP per capita The World Factbook, 2023

a broad measure of economic output per person

CA
$55,800
MV
$22,400

Canada generally does better on employment & economy, though Maldives leads in unemployment rate.

Is it good for families?

Life expectancy The World Factbook, 2022

average years of life at birth

CA
83.8 yrs
MV
76.9 yrs
Infant mortality The World Factbook, 2022

deaths per 1,000 live births — lower is better

CA
4.4
MV
25.7

Canada generally does better on family life, though Maldives leads in education spending.

Data: The World Factbook, United Nations SDG Indicators, World Bank

Visitor Visa Requirements

Short-stay tourist visa rules between Canada and Maldives. To live, work, or study long-term in Maldives, you'll need a separate residence or work visa — check Maldives's immigration authority.

Canada passport

Canada passport holder visiting Maldives

Visa on Arrival
Canada passport holders can obtain a visa on arrival in Maldives.
Maldives passport

Maldives passport holder visiting Canada

Visa Required
Maldives passport holders need a visa to enter Canada.

Data: Henley Passport Index. Check with the destination country's embassy for the most current requirements.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I work remotely from Maldives?

Connectivity is usually fine (Maldives: 17.4 fixed broadband per 100). What actually decides it is legal: does Maldives offer a digital nomad visa, will your employer permit overseas work, and where are you tax-resident?

Is Maldives safe for expats?

Maldives performs significantly better than Canada across all safety metrics. The homicide rate in Maldives is 0.6 per 100,000 people, compared to 2.3 in Canada.

How is healthcare in Maldives compared to Canada?

Canada generally does better on health & wellbeing, though Maldives leads in healthcare spending per person. There are 21.6 doctors per 10,000 people in Maldives, compared to 25.0 in Canada. Maldives scores 61 on the WHO universal health coverage index (Canada: 91).

What language do they speak in Maldives?

The official language in Maldives is Maldivian. In Canada, the official languages are English and French.

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At a Glance

CA MV
Population 38,232,593 390,164
Currency Canadian Dollar (CA$) Maldivian Rufiyaa (MVR)
Languages English, French Maldivian
Driving side Right Left
Calling code +1 +960
Time zones 6 1
Emergency number 911