Maldives Licensing Information

I’ve been asked several times for information relating to licenses in the Maldives. Here’s a copy of an email I have just written:

Maldives is not part of CEPT but it was very easy to get a license. You just need to allow a few weeks for the whole process to take its course.

First, you need to complete the license application form that’s available on the web, then post it off to them: http://www.cam.gov.mv/amateur_lic.htm

You can request your call-sign but do check on QRZ.com that nobody has previously used it, otherwise it might cause QSLing headaches.

Once your license is approved you will get an email from the friendly license office directing you to pay the fee – either through your hotel / travel company, or by post. I found it easier to do it by post. They will quote the fee in USD, I think mine was $23 inclusive of airmail postage for the original license back to me. So, I simply put US$23 cash (exactly) in the post (registered mail) and addressed it to the contact the license office. Simple as that. A PDF of my license was emailed back to me within a week and the hard copy a week or so later.

Always travel with your license and be prepared to show it if they examine your transceiver and kit, however customs at Male airport is also no big deal. There is a wide ‘green’ channel lane at customs on the right hand side behind the baggage claim. Just go through there like everyone else and nobody will bother you. There was no X-ray, no officers and no inspection when I went through. Nobody batted an eye, the Maldives is a really laid-back place.

The contact in the license office that dealt with my application was mausooma@cam.gov.mv (first name is Mausooma).

Their address is:

COMMUNICATION AUTHORITY OF MALDIVES

REP.OF.MALDIVES/ MALE’.

HUSNUHEENAAMAGU

POST.CODE NUMBER:- 20/117

If you can, I suggest you get a beach villa on the northern side of your destination island. Having no palm trees between you and Europe (and NA short path) makes a huge difference – you’ll find it very difficult to contact back from southern facing beaches. Indeed, I suggest you get your antenna as close to the water as possible – verticals work better than horizontals next to the sea.

Above all, have lots of fun and enjoy the Maldives – they are beautiful!

14th August 2018