Five foreigners submit documents to gain Maldivian citizenship last year. The five foreigners include three Indians, one Sri Lankan and one Jordanian.
Passed in 1969, a foreigners who wishes to become a citizen of Maldives must submit a written application to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, provided he is a Muslim, he has attained the age of 21 and is of sound mind and he has resided in Maldives for a continuous period of 12 years, according to the Maldivian Citizenship Act.
The individual also must have an adequate knowledge with regard to the Maldivian Constitution, should be able to orate in Dhivehi language; and has adequate edification, should not have committed a political offence, offences where Hudud punishments are prescribed in Islamic Shariah, or unlawfully produced, distributed or traded drugs.
Furthermore, if he is a citizen of any country other than Maldives, provided he has renounced the citizenship of that country in accordance with the law therein force in that behalf and has officially notified in writing such renunciation to the Government of Maldives. Subject to the qualification of the provisions of the act, the President of Maldives grant the citizenship of Maldives to foreigners.
Only one person, an Indian citizen passed an examination to become a citizen of Maldives, according to the Attorney General's Office of Maldives.