Traveling to Maldives
Comprised of several islands, the Republic of the Maldives is a popular tourist destination with a thriving economy. It attracts travelers of all kinds for a variety of purposes including tourism, business, studies, and more.
The visa requirements for the Maldives depend on the visa type and purpose of travel. For example, all nationalities are eligible to travel to the Maldives and receive a Tourist or Meeting visa on arrival. For any other travel purpose, applicants are required to complete the appropriate visa application online.
The validity and duration of stay of a Maldives visa will depend on the visa type and the intended purpose of travel. For instance, a Maldives tourist visa is issued for 30 days, and a Marriage visa is issued for up to one (1) year and is extendable up to five (5) years.
Maldives Visa Types
There are several types of Maldives visas that travelers can choose from depending on their purpose of travel. The following are the available visa types for the Maldives:
- Meeting visa:
- The meeting visa, introduced in May 2023, is a visa valid for 14 days that is issued to any foreign national traveling to the Maldives for a conference, meeting, or convention. It is a visa-on-arrival.
- Work visa:
- Foreign nationals traveling to the Maldives for the purpose of employment can be issued this long-stay permit.
- Tourist visa:
- This is a 30-day visa that is granted to all nationalities upon arrival in the Maldives. This visa is issued to travelers coming to the Maldives for the purpose of tourism.
- Marriage visa:
- Any foreign national who is married to a Maldivian national can be issued this one-year visa that is extendable by five (5) years.
- Dependent visa:
- Dependents of a Maldives national can apply for this visa online.
- Business visa:
- This is a temporary, multiple-entry visa issued to foreign nationals who wish to conduct business activities in the Maldives.
Maldives Visa Requirements
To apply for a Maldives visa, all applicants must submit some basic required documents. The requirements will vary depending on the visa type and the application process. The following are the basic requirements for eVisa applications and visas obtained upon arrival:
eVisa applications
A valid passport
Passports should be machine-readable and meet the minimum validity requirements of the visa type. Any passports with extended validity will not be accepted.
Passport-sized photo
Applicants should have at least one recent passport-sized photograph that meets the guidelines for the Maldives immigration portal.
A complete application form
Application forms can be completed online. The electronic application portal will vary depending on the visa type.
Valid payment method (if applicable)
If fees apply, applicants must pay online using a valid form of payment.
Depending on the visa type, additional requirements may apply. These additional materials might include a valid Work Permit, a marriage certificate, health insurance, or a complete travel itinerary.
Visa-on-arrival
Tourist and Meeting visas can be obtained upon arrival in the Maldives provided they meet all the requirements. These requirements include:
A valid passport
Passports should be machine-readable with at least one (1) month validity.
A complete travel itinerary
- The travel itinerary should include one of the following options:
- Onward or return tickets, with confirmed hotel bookings
- Proof of financial means for the duration of the trip
- Pre-approved Maldives Immigration visa sponsorship
A complete Traveller Declaration
This form must be completed and submitted by all travelers arriving in and departing from the Maldives, within 96 hours of their flight time. It can be submitted electronically through the official IMUGA portal.
Yellow fever vaccination certificate (if applicable)
Some nationalities may be required to obtain a yellow fever vaccination certificate before arriving in the Maldives. A list of required countries can be found on the official immigration website.
Maldives Visa Application Steps
With the exception of the Maldives Tourist and Meeting visas which are visas-on-arrival, all Maldives visas can be applied for online through one of the official application portals.
For all visa types that can be applied for online, applicants can take the following basic steps:
- Complete visa application form
Visa forms can be completed online through the appropriate online portal.
- Submit the required documents
• Applicants must upload the required documents for the specific visa type.
- Pay the visa fee (if applicable)
• If any fees apply, applicants must proceed with payment online using a valid credit or debit card.
- Await visa processing
If approved, the visa will be sent to the applicant electronically. Additional steps may be necessary depending on the visa type and purpose of travel.
Travelers coming to the Maldives for tourism (Tourist visa) or for short-term conferences, meetings, or conventions (Meeting visa) must present the required documents at the point of entry to obtain their visa upon arrival. They must also be sure to complete the Traveller Declaration form online within 96 hours of their flight time upon arrival and departure.
Where to Apply for a Maldives Visa
For nearly all visa types, applicants can submit the visa application and required documents online through the official IMUGA visa portal unless otherwise stipulated. Business visa applications must be submitted through the Ministry of Economic Development’s Business Portal. Work visas can be applied for by employers or recruitment agencies through the Xpat Online System. Tourist and Meeting visas can be obtained upon arrival in the Maldives provided the applicant meets the requirements.
Maldives Visa Processing Time
Processing times for a Maldives visa will vary depending on the visa type. Applicants should be sure to understand the validity period of their visa type before submitting their application or making any travel plans to the Maldives.
