Have you ever wondered whether or not you need a visa for Maldives? If you’re planning on visiting the tropical island paradise, then you’ve likely seen many articles about visa requirements. Most of these articles can be confusing and conflicting, though. I will be addressing all of your questions in this article — and hopefully saving you some time and money!

Visas are required by foreign travellers who must travel to other countries. Obtaining visa is a time-consuming process, and requires your time, patience and skills. The most important thing that you should know is whether or not you will need a visa. You must be prepared with all the necessary documents to apply for a visa. The very first thing that must be done is the country which you are going to visit must be picked from any available list. The next step is locating the nearest embassy or consulate of the country where you want to go.

Do I Need Visa For Maldives

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Maldives Visa and Passport Information

Maldives Tourist Visa

You do not need to apply for a visa before you travel to the Maldives on holiday.

All tourists, of all nationalities, can receive a 30 day visa free of charge on arrival in the Maldives.

To receive a tourist visa on arrival at Malé International Airport, you will need:

Should posses a valid passport with Machine Readable Zone (MRZ) -(standard ICAO Annex 9, chapter 3.10.1)and should have at least 1 month validity
A return flight ticket, or a flight ticket to another destination, for departure within 30 days of arrival;
Either confirmation of a hotel/resort booking, or evidence of sufficient funds to cover your expenses in Maldives (at least US$100 + US$50 per day demonstrated by cash or bank statement).

Please Note:

You must not undertake any work paid or unpaid or any business engagements while in the Maldives on a tourist visa. Visitors found to be employed, or found to have overstayed their visa, may be deported or fined.

Disclaimer: The issuance of tourist visas ultimately lies at the discretion of the Immigration officer. As a tourist, you do not have a right to claim a 30 day visa, and the information above should be seen as guidance.

Renewal of Tourist Visa

You can extend your 30 day on-arrival visa for an additional 60 days by applying directly to the Department of Immigration and Emigration before the expiration of your on-arrival visa. For more information, please visit Maldives Immigration website.

Other Types of Visa for the Maldives

Further information on entry requirements, other types of visas, and tourist visa extensions is available on the website of the Maldives Immigration.

Tourist Visa

Tourist visa is granted for all nationalities on arrival to Maldives. As such, a foreigner travelling to Maldives as a tourist does not require pre-approval for the visa. However, the person must satisfy the basic entry requirements to get immigration clearance upon arrival.

The basic entry requirements are as follows;

A passport or a travel document with Machine Readable Zone (MRZ) with at least 1 months validity.
A pre-paid hotel booking/accommodation.
Sufficient funds to last for the intended period of stay in Maldives.
Confirmed onward/return tickets to home country or to country of residence (not applicable for valid resident permit holders).
Entry facilities to their onward destinations; for example, the visa.
Traveller Declaration must be filled in and submitted by all travelers travelling to and from Maldives, within 96 hours to the flight time. The form has to be submitted electronically via IMUGA.
Yellow Fever Vaccination Certificate, if applicable. Click here to check the Yellow Fever endemic countries.

The maximum number of days granted on arrival would be 30 days, unless agreed by any bilateral means or treaty. This period of stay is not for the visitor to claim, but lies at the discretion of the Maldives Immigration to grant any number of days less than or equal to 30.

The period of stay granted is shown on the endorsement in the passport. Visitors are advised to check their passport for the arrival endorsement and take note of the number of days granted to stay in Maldives. Once arrived as a tourist, the visitor is not permitted to engage in any form of business, occupation, profession or paid employment while in Maldives.

Categories like; social visitors, friends, family visitors or media and business visitors, who are not considered as genuine tourists, are highly advised to declare sponsorship prior to their arrivals (if applicable), in order to facilitate the flow of passage.

All travelers are also reminded that it is a punishable offence to overstay in Maldives beyond the number of days given.