The Indian government addressed Unstarred Question No. 968 on December 5, 2025, concerning remittance restrictions on Indian teachers in the Maldives. The Minister of State in the Ministry of External Affairs (Shri Kirti Vardhan Singh) acknowledged that the Maldives Monetary Authority (MMA) limits the amount of US Dollars allocated to banks in the Maldives for foreign remittances, impacting Indian teachers earning salaries in Maldivian Rufiyaa (MVR). This has created issues for Indian nationals in remitting money to India.
The issue was raised with the Government of Maldives and the MMA. As a result, in November 2025, the MMA increased the dollar allocation to SBI Male, leading to an increase in remittance ceilings for individuals employed in the education and health sectors from USD 150 to USD 300. Indian nationals earning their salaries in US Dollars do not face difficulties in remitting their money to India.
Key Entities Referenced
Maldives Monetary Authority: The central bank of Maldives, responsible for monetary policy and regulating the financial sector, including remittance policies affecting foreign workers.
Ministry of External Affairs: The Indian government ministry responsible for India's foreign relations, addressing remittance issues of Indian teachers in Maldives.
Maldives: The country where the Indian teachers are facing remittance restrictions.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO- 968
ANSWERED ON- 05/12/2025
REMITTANCE RESTRICTIONS ON INDIAN TEACHERS IN MALDIVES
968. Shri Rajmohan Unnithan
Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state :-
(a) whether the Government is aware that Indian teachers in the Maldives
are facing severe financial hardship due to stringent remittance ceilings,
if so, the details thereof;
(b) whether any diplomatic engagement with the Maldives Monetary
Authority is proposed to restore reasonable and lawful remittance levels;
and
(c) if so, the timeline for initiating and concluding these bilateral
discussions and if not, the reasons therefor?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
(SHRI KIRTI VARDHAN SINGH)
(a) Yes, Maldives Monetary Authority allocates a limited amount of US
Dollars per month to banks in Maldives to facilitate remittances abroad.
This has impacted the ability of banks in Maldives to facilitate remittances
1beyond a certain limit for foreign nationals. Indian nationals, earning their
salaries in local Maldivian currency (Maldivian Rufiyaa - MVR) have raised
the issues faced due to the remittance cap. Indian nationals earning their
salaries in US Dollars, however, do not face difficulties in remitting their
money to India.
(b & c) The issue has been taken up with the Government of Maldives and
the Maldives Monetary Authority, requesting their support in enhancing
allocation of US Dollars to banks in Maldives. Due to these efforts,
Maldives Monetary Authority has increased the Dollar allocations to SBI
Male in November 2025, which has resulted in SBI increasing the
remittance ceilings for those employed in education and health sector
from USD 150 to USD 300.
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