Bank of Maldives has raised the monthly foreign transaction limit for MVR-denominated debit cards to USD 500, while also announcing a new transaction fee of up to 30 percent on purchases from selected e-commerce platforms including Temu, Shein, Alibaba, AliExpress, Lazada and eBay.
Effective 1 July 2025, the increased USD 500 monthly cap applies to payments for goods and services made online or at physical merchants abroad. However, ATM cash withdrawals overseas using MVR debit cards will be limited to USD 125 per month and will carry a fixed withdrawal fee of USD 10.
The most significant change comes in the form of a new transaction fee of up to 30 percent applied to purchases on a list of high-usage e-commerce sites. The Bank stated that the move aims to curb misuse of personal debit cards for business purposes, particularly when such cards are handed to third parties or used for high-volume imports via foreign websites.
BML clarified that the fee will not apply to other types of foreign transactions such as hotel bookings, international flight tickets, or subscription services. Nor will it apply to customers who use debit cards linked to USD accounts or any type of credit card.
In a statement, the Bank described the new measures as necessary to ensure essential foreign payments can continue while deterring behaviour that contributes to unsustainable levels of dollar outflows.
All foreign transaction limits for MVR debit cards will now reset on the 1st of every month.
