Maldives

Whether you're planning to explore pristine coral reefs, conduct business in Malé's emerging financial sector, or pursue marine research opportunities, understanding Maldives' immigration framework is essential for seamless travel planning.

Streamlined Entry Process Overview

The Maldives maintains a visitor-friendly visa policy with a free 30-day visa on arrival granted to citizens of almost all countries, requiring no pre-approval for tourist visits. All travelers must complete a Traveller Declaration via the IMUGA portal within 96 hours before travel. Note that effective from April 15, 2025, entry is not granted on Israeli passports.

Key Traveler Categories

Our comprehensive guidance covers:

• Tourist visa-on-arrival procedures with no pre-approval required
• Business visa requirements processed through the Ministry of Economic Development
• Extended stay documentation permitting extensions up to 90 days total
• Transit passenger protocols for those traveling to another country via Maldives

Professional Immigration Support

Navigating Maldivian immigration requirements requires precise understanding of current regulations and documentation standards. Our expert team transforms complex procedures into clear, actionable strategies tailored to your specific travel objectives and timeline requirements.

Most travelers can visit the Maldives without obtaining a visa in advance. The country operates a visa-on-arrival system for tourists, making it one of the most accessible destinations worldwide.

Visa-Free Access for Tourism

Citizens of all countries can enter the Maldives without a pre-arranged visa for tourism purposes and receive a free 30-day tourist visa upon arrival at Velana International Airport in Malé. The visa can be extended for up to 90 days total with approval from Maldives Immigration.

Entry Requirements

To qualify for visa-on-arrival, you must present:

• Valid passport with Machine Readable Zone (MRZ) with at least 1 month validity from arrival date
• Proof of hotel booking or accommodation in the Maldives
• Return or onward flight ticket
• Proof of sufficient funds (minimum $100 plus $50 per day of stay)
• Traveler Declaration submitted via the IMUGA portal within 96 hours before travel

If you are arriving from a country with a risk of yellow fever transmission, you must present a yellow fever vaccination certificate.

Transit and Airport Rules

Transit passengers staying under 24 hours without leaving the airport do not need a visa. For longer layovers or if you wish to explore Malé, the standard tourist visa applies.

Special Considerations

Business travelers can use the tourist visa for meetings and conferences. A 14-day Meeting Visa is available on arrival for foreign nationals attending meetings, conferences, or conventions in the Maldives. Work permits require separate applications through Maldivian employers.

Children must have individual passports and cannot travel on a parent's passport. Always bring a copy of each child's birth certificate or other evidence of your legal relationship to each child.

Important Restrictions

Effective from 15 April 2025, entry to the Maldives is not granted on Israeli passports. However, Israeli citizens holding and using a passport from another country may still be admitted under that nationality. Visitors should ensure compliance with local laws, including alcohol restrictions outside resorts.

Verification

Always confirm current requirements through the official Maldives Immigration website or your nearest Maldivian embassy before travel, as regulations can change. Entry is granted at the port of entry after determination of admissibility by Immigration officers, as per Sections 7 and 8 of The Maldives Immigration Act 2007.

The Maldives immigration system offers streamlined visa categories designed to accommodate various travel purposes, from leisure tourism to business ventures and extended stays.

Tourist and Visitor Visas

Tourist Visa on Arrival is granted to all nationalities, provided free with no pre-approval required for 30 days upon arrival at Velana International Airport. This visa covers leisure travel, family visits, and short-term stays. The visa can be extended for an additional 60 days, totaling 90 days, by submitting an application to Maldives Immigration. Extensions are subject to approval on a case-by-case basis and require proof of sufficient funds and confirmed accommodation.

Meeting Visa

Effective from May 2023, a 14-day short-stay Meeting Visa is granted on arrival for foreign nationals attending meetings, conferences, or conventions in the Maldives. Meeting Visa is non-extendable and holders cannot obtain a Business Visa while in the country.

Business Visa Categories

Business Visas cater to commercial activities including:

• Investment consultations and property acquisitions
• Corporate meetings and conference attendance
• Market research and business development
• Trade negotiations and partnership discussions

Business visas can be granted for 30 to 90 days at a time, not exceeding 180 days in a calendar year. Processing time for business visas is 5 to 10 days. These visas require sponsor letters, business registration certificates, and proof of commercial purpose, along with approval from the relevant government authority.

Employment and Work Permits

Work Visas are permits issued for foreigners to stay in the Maldives for employment purposes. Persons traveling for employment are granted 15 days from arrival to complete the work visa process. Foreign nationals must possess a valid Work Permit issued by the Ministry of Economic Development, which does not exceed 90 days from date of issue. Work visas require employer sponsorship, medical examinations at authorized facilities, and health insurance coverage. Categories include resort staff positions, construction workers, healthcare professionals, and executive roles.

Transit and Multiple-Entry Options

Transit provisions accommodate passengers with layovers, while Business Visas serve as multiple-entry options for frequent travelers conducting ongoing commercial activities or maintaining professional connections in the Maldives.

Special Categories

The system includes Diplomatic Visas for official representatives, Student Permits for educational programs, Marriage Visas for spouses of Maldivian nationals, and Dependent Visas for family members of residents. Marriage Visas are issued for one year and extendable by five years. Each category maintains specific documentation requirements and validity periods, with applications processed through designated government portals and subject to immigration approval.

Visa-Free Entry and Processing Times

Most travelers receive a free 30-day tourist visa on arrival at Velana International Airport with instant processing. Extensions up to 90 days total stay are available for 750 Maldivian Rufiyaa (approximately $50 USD) through Immigration offices in Malé. Extensions are granted for an additional 60 days, and no visa fee is charged if the extension does not exceed 30 days total.

Entry Requirements and Documentation

• Passport with Machine Readable Zone (MRZ) with at least 1 month validity
• Valid ticket to continue the journey out of Maldives
• Hotel booking confirmation or sufficient funds
• Proof of sufficient funds ($100 USD plus $50 USD per day) or hotel reservation confirmation
• Traveller Declaration submitted within 96 hours prior to travel via IMUGA portal

Work and Business Permits

Work permits require employer sponsorship with employees granted 15 days from arrival to obtain a work visa based on a valid Work Permit. Visa applications are processed within 48 hours of submission, and the visa process takes 3 working days for passport collection after approval. Business visas allow 30 to 90 days at a time, not exceeding 180 days in a calendar year. Investment and long-term employment opportunities are available through proper sponsorship channels.

Application Locations and Contacts

• Tourist visas: On arrival at airport (no advance application needed)
• Work permits: Apply through sponsoring employer via Xpat Online System
• Extensions: Department of Immigration, Malé
• Online applications: IMUGA portal for Traveller Declaration and visa extensions

Peak Season Considerations

Airport processing remains efficient year-round, though December-April peak season may see longer immigration queues. Extension applications process faster during May-November off-peak months. All fees payable in USD cash or major credit cards at designated counters. Overstays beyond 60 days without proper authorization face fines of 15,000 Maldivian Rufiyaa (approximately $980 USD) or deportation.

Step 1: Determine Your Visa Requirements

Tourist visas are granted on arrival to the Maldives, and foreign travelers do not require pre-approval. The tourist visa on arrival is issued for up to 30 days from the date of entry. Tourist visas may be extended for 60 additional days, for a fee. Longer stays or purposes such as employment, business, or marriage require advance applications through Maldivian diplomatic missions or online systems.

Step 2: Complete the Traveler Declaration Online

All foreigners arriving in the Maldives must complete and submit the Traveller Declaration form up to 96 hours before arrival, which must be filled electronically via the IMUGA portal and is free of charge. The portal can be accessed at imuga.immigration.gov.mv. You will receive a confirmation or QR code to present at immigration upon arrival.

Step 3: Prepare Required Documentation

Gather essential documents including:

• Passport or travel document with Machine Readable Zone with at least 1 month validity
• Confirmed return flight tickets or onward journey documentation
• Prepaid confirmed booking at a registered facility and sufficient funds to cover the stay in the Maldives
• Yellow Fever Vaccination Certificate if applicable, with children under 1 year of age exempt from Yellow Fever vaccination

Step 4: Arrival and Immigration Processing

Obtaining a tourist visa in the Maldives is a simple process that does not require any prior visa application before traveling. Upon arrival at Velana International Airport in Malé, present your completed Traveler Declaration, passport, accommodation confirmation, and return tickets to the immigration officer. If all requirements are met, tourists will receive their visa on arrival at the port of entry. The Maldives tourist visa on arrival is free of charge for all travelers.

Step 5: Extension Procedures

If you need to extend your stay beyond the initial 30 days, you must apply for an extension before your current visa expires. You can extend your Maldives visa on arrival by applying to Maldives Immigration in Malé by submitting a Visa Extension Application Form at the Immigration Head Office during official working hours. The maximum amount of time you are allowed to stay in the Maldives is 90 days, so if your current visa is 30 days, you can receive a maximum 60-day extension. The fee for extension is 750 Maldivian Rufiyaa (approximately 49 USD) if the total amount of days you are spending is more than 30.

Common Application Tips

Ensure all documents are in English or officially translated. Complete the Traveler Declaration within the 96-hour window before departure and save the confirmation on your mobile device or print it. Verify that your passport has the required Machine Readable Zone and validity period. Keep digital and physical copies of all documentation throughout your stay. Avoid overstaying your visa period, as extensions require advance approval from Maldives Immigration before your current authorization expires.