Foreign nationals who purchase property in the planned Rasmalé development will be eligible for a special residency visa that must be renewed periodically, Attorney General Ahmed Usham has said.
The arrangement is separate from the government’s earlier Pearl Residency initiative following disagreements with developer Eagle Hills, Usham told reporters. He described the visa as similar in structure to Malaysia’s My Second Home programme, under which long-term residents receive renewable residency rights tied to property ownership or investment.
Commercial terms for the sale of roughly 500 hectares of reclaimed land at Fushidhiggaru lagoon to Eagle Hills were signed in September. The government has indicated it aims to finalise a definitive agreement around Republic Day on 11 November.
Usham said the special visa would not automatically confer permanent residency and would remain subject to compliance with Maldivian law. He also addressed public concerns over the background of Eagle Hills founder Mohamed Alabbar, stating that Alabbar’s international connections had facilitated humanitarian and housing work for Palestinians and that religious scholars were welcome to meet him directly.
The Rasmalé project has drawn sustained criticism from opposition parties and some religious groups over the prospect of long-term foreign residency on reclaimed Maldivian land. President Mohamed Muizzu has previously assured the public that the development would prohibit alcohol, pork and casinos and would house only Maldivians and Muslims from abroad.
Legislation to facilitate the land arrangement is expected to be considered by the People’s Majlis. Opposition parties, including the Maldivian Democratic Party, have called for a public referendum before any final agreement is signed.
