The Maldives is weighing two bills that would make its entry restriction for Israeli passport holders unconditional and restrict leasehold deals in designated zones, while both proposals remain before parliament.
President Mohamed Muizzu announced the measures Nov. 9. The People’s Majlis, the Maldives’ parliament, lists the Maldives Immigration Bill and the Real Estate Development Bill at first reading after that day’s sitting. Neither proposal has become law.
Maldives Immigration says the current Israeli-passport entry restriction took effect on April 15, 2025, under the Third Amendment to the Maldives Immigration Act. The President’s Office said the proposed immigration bill would make the restriction independent of future changes in circumstances and quoted Muizzu saying Israeli passport holders “will not be permitted to enter the Maldives under any circumstances.”
The Real Estate Development Bill’s reported provisions concern leasehold rights in designated integrated real estate zones. The Edition and Ynet reported that restrictions would cover deals involving Israeli citizens, Israeli-owned entities and people acting for their benefit. The reported rules concern property rights in those zones and do not describe a blanket ban on all Israeli investment.
Muizzu also said prospective buyers would be screened and transactions involving Israeli citizens rejected, The Edition reported. The outlet quoted him as saying, “There is no opportunity for any Israeli citizen, investor or company.”
Muizzu has said foreign land ownership is prohibited under Maldivian law and that land for the planned Ras Malé development would be leased. The President’s Office framed the entry proposal as a statement of the Maldives’ support for Palestinians. It said earlier versions would have made the restriction conditional on Israel ending its actions against Palestinians; Muizzu characterized those actions as genocide in the context of events after Oct. 7, 2023. The parliamentary dockets do not list a date for a later vote.
