Visa to the Maldives: who needs it and how to get it

The Maldives is one of the most traveler-friendly countries: no visa complications. You can get a stamp in your passport upon arrival by following a few simple rules.

The Maldives offers a free 30-day visa on arrival for nearly all nationalities. This means you don’t need to apply for a visa before your trip. It will be issued upon arrival at Velana International Airport.

• Citizens of Russia and India can travel to the Maldives visa-free for up to 90 days.
• For citizens of CIS countries, such as Ukraine, Kazakhstan, and Belarus, a tourist visa is provided for up to 30 days, with the possibility of extension up to 90 days.
• Passports of Uzbekistan citizens must have a stamp from the Ministry of Internal Affairs (permission to travel abroad).
• EU and US citizens can also obtain a 30-day visa on arrival, with the option to extend up to 90 days.
• Israeli citizens have been banned from entering the Maldives since April 2025 due to the conflict in the Gaza Strip.

Keep in mind that there is no diplomatic representation of any CIS country in the Maldives. If needed, you’ll have to travel to nearby countries like India or Sri Lanka.

Asad Photo Maldives

Cost of a Tourist Visa to the Maldives

The tourist visa on arrival in the Maldives is provided free of charge to all travelers.

Documents for a Maldives Visa

To receive a Maldivian stamp upon arrival, you must present a valid passport to the immigration officer at the Maldivian airport. The passport must be valid for at least one month from the date of entry into the Maldives.

Requirements for foreign passports:

• The passport must be machine-readable or biometric. Features of a machine-readable passport: the bottom of the page contains two lines of alphanumeric code, the data page is laminated or plastic, and the top contains a photograph, personal details, and document information.
• The passport must include the owner’s signature.
• The passport must have been issued no more than 10 years ago.
• It must have at least 2 blank pages marked "VISAS."

Depositphotos

Documents for the Maldives Besides a Passport

Proof of accommodation. A reservation for a hotel, resort, or guesthouse. Those attempting to enter without pre-booked accommodation may need to prove they can financially support themselves during their stay.

If staying on a liveaboard vessel, you’ll need booking confirmation from the operator. Immigration officers may request additional information, though this is rare.

Round-trip ticket: A purchased ticket for departure from the Maldives. When asked how long you’ll stay, show your return flight reservation.

Funds. While no specific amount is mandated, it’s advisable to have at least $100 per day of stay plus accommodation costs. Funds can be on a card (bank statement) or in cash.

Travel insurance. You may be asked to present travel insurance covering medical expenses. Without it, medical services in the Maldives can be costly.

Yellow fever vaccination. If arriving from a country with a risk of yellow fever, you must present a yellow fever vaccination certificate upon entry.

COVID-19 rules. The Maldives has relaxed many COVID-19 entry requirements. Currently, fully vaccinated travelers are not required to present a negative PCR test. However, unvaccinated travelers may need to provide a negative PCR test taken within 96 hours of departure. Carry your vaccination certificate.

Migration card. Typically, the migration card is provided on the plane, but if not, it can be obtained at the airport at a designated counter. It must be filled out in English, in capital letters, and is mandatory for all entrants, including children.

Main fields:

• Full Name - full name (as in passport).
• Nationality - nationality.
• Date of Birth - date of birth (DD-MM-YY).
• Sex - gender (Male / Female).
• Passport Number - passport number.
• Country of Birth - country of birth.
• Passport Expiry Date - passport expiration date (at least 6 months from entry date).
• Length of Stay - duration of stay (usually up to 30 days).
• Flight Number - flight number.
• Address in Maldives - accommodation address (name of hotel, guesthouse, or resort is sufficient).
• Purpose of Visit - trip purpose (Holiday, Transit, Business, Conference, Official, Employment, Visiting Friends/Relatives, Other).
• Residence Permit Holders (if applicable) - permit category, number, and expiration date.
• Signature - signature.
• Health Information (for arrivals from yellow fever risk countries):
• List of countries visited in the last 14 days.
• Date of last yellow fever vaccination.

Customs section:

• Full Name
• Passport Number
• Nationality
• Number of Hand Luggage Items
• Number of Checked Baggage Items

For arrivals by private yacht or boat. A free visa is granted until the expected departure date. Vessels outside Malé Atoll must obtain prior permission from an agent in Malé.

Health Declaration. All travelers must submit an online Health Declaration form within 96 hours of departure. This form is available on the Maldives Immigration website. By the time you land, you should have completed the Traveler Declaration. Airlines typically require you to present it at check-in. It includes basic information like passport details and accommodation. The form can be filled out via the official Maldives immigration portal IMUGA.

Health Declaration: How to Fill It Out

1. Visit the IMUGA website.
2. Click "Health Declaration," then "New Application."
3. Select "Arrival."
4. Fill in personal, passport, flight, itinerary, and health details.
5. Upload a photo.
6. Specify the name of the resort or island (if staying at a guesthouse).
7. Optionally, indicate participation in Maldives Border Miles.
8. Confirm the purpose of your trip.
9. Submit the form and save the QR code (screenshot or PNG file).

Depositphotos

Traveling to the Maldives with Children: Required Documents

If traveling with children, additional documents are required:

• The child must have their own passport (biometric or machine-readable).
• A notarized copy of the birth certificate + English translation (via a translation agency).

If a child travels with one parent or an accompanying person:

• Original notarized consent for travel.
• English translation of the consent (via a translation agency).
• Passport of the accompanying person.
• Copies of the parents’ passports listed in the consent.
• The consent must specify the destination country (Maldives) and is valid for no more than 3 months.
• If traveling with one parent, notarized consent from the other parent may be required.

Depositphotos

Denial of Entry

Meeting the required criteria does not guarantee visa issuance—final decisions rest with officials. However, for most tourists, it’s a quick and straightforward process. Denials typically occur due to:

• Missing required documents.
• Incorrectly filled-out forms.
• Criminal records at the time of visa issuance.
• Previous violations of Maldivian law during past visits.
• Association with anti-Islamic organizations.

Depositphotos

How Long Can You Stay in the Maldives

The standard tourist visa is valid for 30 days. To extend your stay beyond 30 days, you can apply for an extension through the Maldives Immigration Service.

Visa Extension in the Maldives

An extension may be granted for up to 60 days, allowing a total stay of 90 days. However, extensions are at the discretion of immigration authorities. You must provide proof of sufficient funds and a return ticket.

Unfortunately, visa extensions are a complex and slow process, poorly outlined on the Maldives Immigration website. The complexity depends on where and when you stay. A sponsor is required for any extension—you cannot extend a visa independently. The process can take weeks, so start applying immediately upon arrival. Fines for overstaying can reach $1,000 per day.

One Resort

The simplest case is staying at one resort island for a period exceeding 30 days. The resort acts as your visa sponsor and typically manages the process on your behalf, usually without requiring a visit to Malé.

Guesthouse

The second scenario is staying at one guesthouse for your entire stay. The guesthouse operator will be your sponsor, but you’ll likely need to handle more of the process yourself. Plan for 2-3 trips to Malé to complete the process, depending on whether the first step is done online or in person.

Island Hopping

The most challenging scenario is island hopping or staying at multiple locations for over 30 days. Most resorts are unfamiliar with this situation, and even the immigration service may not provide clear answers via email. Your sponsor will be the resort or guesthouse where you stay on day 29. You’ll need to fully pay for your stay, possibly in advance. You’ll also need to arrange logistics for delivering your passport to the immigration office in Malé and retrieving it later. The sponsoring resort may assist if you stay with them for at least a week or two before day 29.

Discuss your plans with hotels before booking. A large chain with an office in Malé is better equipped to handle this. Alternatively, given the complexity, consider leaving the Maldives on day 30 and continuing your trip later. Sri Lanka, another fantastic destination, is just 1 hour 30 minutes away.

Maldives Visa Extension Requirements

• Form IM23.
• Sponsor for your visa extension.
• Current 30-day visa number.
• Passport-style photo.
• Accommodation invoice with proof of payment.
• Confirmed return flight reservation.
• Physical passport submitted to the immigration service.
• Payment of the visa extension fee.

The main document is Form IM23, downloadable from the Maldives Immigration website. Besides basic personal details, it includes a section for your sponsor to complete and requires a recent passport-style photo. The 30-day visa number is found in your passport, stamped upon entry.

How to Apply for a Visa Extension

Your sponsoring resort will likely handle the application for you, including submitting your passport to immigration and returning it without requiring a trip to Malé. The resort will pay the visa fee and add it to your final bill.

If applying independently, use the IMUGA portal to start a new visa application, selecting the tourist visa (IM23) category. Upload the IM23 form (PDF or scanned), accommodation invoice, return flight reservation, and pay the application fee. Monitor the portal for updates, as approval is only the first step, and immigration may request additional information.

Note that a local Maldivian phone number is required to receive the verification code. International numbers can be entered but may not work.

Depositphotos

Customs Regulations

When traveling to the Maldives, note that the following items are strictly prohibited:

• Alcohol. As an Islamic country, alcohol in the Maldives is only available at resorts and on safari vessels. Importing alcohol is illegal.
• Pork and pork products: For religious reasons.
• Drugs and psychotropic substances. Possession of illegal drugs can lead to severe penalties, including lengthy prison sentences.
• Pornographic materials. Importing pornographic materials is prohibited.
• Duty-free allowances. You may bring limited duty-free items like personal belongings, clothing, and electronics. Excessive quantities may incur customs duties.

Depositphotos

Exit Rules

When leaving the Maldives, keep in mind:

• The departure tax is included in your airfare, so no separate payment is required at the airport.
• Souvenirs. Exporting sand, corals, or certain marine life (including shells and starfish) without special permission is prohibited. Keep receipts for purchased souvenirs.

Deportation from the Maldives

Any foreigner in the Maldives may be immediately deported if they:

• Worked on a tourist visa.
• Engaged in illegal activities.
• Are suspected of violating public, political, or religious order.
• Overstayed their visa or work permit.

Depositphotos