Your Easy Guide to Maldives Tourist Entry Requirements

Updated: on 28 March 2024

Around two million people choose this iconic archipelago for a beach holiday in paradise every year, and thankfully the easy and friendly Maldives tourist entry requirements mean that all nationalities of the world are welcome. With tourism being the main contributor to the island nation’s economy, unsurprisingly, the government has made it incredibly easy for visitors to enjoy the sun, sea, sand and breathtakingly beautiful islands of this honeymoon-heaven on earth. Although a Maldives visa on arrival is available to citizens of every nation, there are certain stipulations. Before you are allowed to relax in your overwater bamboo-thatched bungalow or cruise the stunning waters of the archipelago, you will need to be able to produce a valid passport, or other recognized travel document with a Machine-Readable Zone, that is valid for at least one month past the date of your departure from the islands. Maldives visa on arrival requirements also include being able to show proof that you have accommodation booked for the duration of your stay as well as a return flight out of Velana International Airport. Although it is unlikely, you may be asked to prove that you have adequate funds for your stay in the form of cash or a bank statement. Allow around USD100 per day per person.

Before travelling to and from the Maldives, requirements for tourists mean every visitor must complete the online Imuga form found here: https://travel.immigration.gov.mv/. This is an electronic embarkation and disembarkation card requiring basic information including passport details, flight numbers, where you intend to stay and for how long, and your destination when you leave the country. The form is free to access online and should be submitted at least 96 hours before you arrive and 96 hours before you depart.

The Maldives visa process also requires any nationals entering from a country where Yellow Fever is endemic to be able to produce an up-to-date vaccination certificate for immigration. Holders of a Maldives visa on arrival are permitted to extend their stay on the islands by an extra 60 days. This means a total of 90 days or three months in paradise. The documents required for Maldives visa extensions include at least one fully empty page in your passport, a passport-sized photo taken recently, confirmation of your accommodation arrangements, and proof of onward travel out of the country. It is important to start the process of extending your visa at least 10 days before your Maldives visa on arrival expires and check with staff at your accommodation for any changes in the Maldives visa process regards extensions. Expect to pay Rf750 for a 60-day tourist visa extension. And once you have your visa ready, book your dream holiday to the Maldives with Secret Retreats, the Asia Travel Experts.

Maldives Visa Entry Requirements for Other Types of Visas

Unfortunately, the current Maldives visa entry requirements do not allow foreign nationals the opportunity of obtaining a working holiday visa, however working visas are available to those able to secure employment at one of the country’s many resorts and hotels. The Ministry of Economic Development issues Work Permits, and these are a prerequisite to obtaining a valid Work Visa. Among the documents applicants will need to supply is a passport that is valid for at least a year, a recent passport-sized photograph of themselves, and an up-to-date medical health report. Other conditions may need to be met, but an applicant's employer will be able to explain any additional Maldives visa entry requirements where applying for a working visa is concerned. Also available as of 2023 is a Meeting Visa aimed at foreign nationals visiting the country to participate in a meeting, convention, or conference. Entry requirements for the Maldives Meeting Visa include a passport valid for at least a month, a complete travel itinerary, prepaid confirmed hotel booking, confirmed tickets for a flight out of the Maldives, and proof of adequate funds for the duration of the stay. The Meeting Visa is valid for up to 14 days after the date of arrival and is non-extendable. A Business Visa is also available to foreigners who need to visit for business purposes and applications should be made to the Ministry of Economic Development.

Whichever Maldives visa process you need to go through, Secret Retreats are the Asia Experts for your holiday plans in this fascinating continent. Our team is on hand to help create and book a complete travel itinerary for you to this fantasy destination, the Maldives, and elsewhere in wider Asia. Our travel concierges and teams on the ground can help with everything from the perfect places to stay, the most delicious places to eat, and the most beautiful beaches to visit. We look forward to creating an unforgettable trip for you to the paradise on earth that is the Maldives.