Maldives Visa Guide: Everything You Need to Know

Visa

Visa Information You Must Know Before Travelling to Maldives

Educating yourself about the norms surrounding the Maldivian VISA is vital before travelling to avoid unnecessary hiccups and hassles. You can do so by visiting the official website of the Maldivian government, the local Maldivian embassy in your country or consulting a travel agent.

(I) Do you need a Maldivian VISA?

Foreign nationals from all countries are entitled to a VISA-on-arrival in the Maldives as long as they are travelling for tourism purposes. The duration of this VISA is for up to 30 days. However, nationals from India and Russia are granted a stay for up to 90 days without any VISA.

(II) List of Essential Documents to Get VISA-on-arrival for Maldives

You will need the following documents to get your VISA-on-arrival at the Maldives, regardless of your nationality.

A machine readable passport which is valid for at least six months ahead of your date of travel.
Prepaid accommodation in the Maldives or proof of hotel reservations.
Proof of means via bank statements which prove you can afford the stay in the Maldives.
A copy of your return or onward flight from the Maldives.
A VISA for your next destination (if required).

Here are some exceptions to keep in mind:

Even if you show all the relevant documents a stay of up to 30 days is not guaranteed. It is up to the immigration office to decide the duration.
The VISA-on-arrival service is only available to people travelling to the Maldives for tourism. Hence, this VISA does not give you the permission to pursue a job or run a business here.
For all other purposes that are not tourism, you can get a specially allocated VISA.

(III) Guidelines to ensure you get the VISA-on-arrival at the Maldives

Tourists often get overwhelmed and intimidated by the VISA application process. However, it does not need to be so. By following the guidelines mentioned below, you will surely get your Maldivian VISA.

Make sure your passport is valid for six months ahead of your date of travel.
Ensure to provide the most recent bank statements and income slips when requested.
Make sure you have at least $100 per day per person in your bank account while providing the proof of means.
Minors are also required to have their own passport.
Make sure you have hotel reservations with a registered hotel.
Visit the official government website or the embassy in your country frequently to stay updated with the norms surrounding the Maldivian VISA-on-arrival.

(IV) How can you extend your Maldivian VISA-on-arrival?

The Maldivian Immigrations Office offers a service to extend the tourist VISA-on-arrival for every tourist. To apply for an extension you will need to:

Apply for an extension before the current VISA expires.
Apply using the extension form available at the Immigrations Office in the capital city.
Provide proof of means to show that you can financially cover the extended stay.
Pay the extension fees if the total number of days exceeds or is equal to 30.

Note:You can only stay in the Maldives, as a tourist, for a total of 90 days. So, if your current VISA is only valid for 30 days, you can only get a 60 day extension.

(V) Types of Maldivian VISAs

Like most countries, the Maldives also provides different VISAs based on the purpose and duration of a person's visit. They are as follows:

Tourist VISA:Tourists can get a VISA-on-arrival regardless of their nationality.
Business VISA:Meant for people travelling to the Maldives for specific business activities with a specified duration.
Student VISA: Meant for foreign nationals who want to pursue higher education in the Maldives.
Work VISA:Meant for foreign nationals with a job in the Maldives. This requires an offer letter from the Maldivian employer and sometimes an additional work permit.
Diplomatic or Official VISA: Meant for government officials from other countries.
Residence VISA: Meant for foreign nationals seeking to stay in the Maldives for more than 90 days. This is typically for people looking to retire or make long-term investments.
Investor VISA: Meant for foreign nationals looking to invest a considerable sum in the Maldives.
Transit VISA: Meant for foreign passengers changing flights at the Maldives.

Note: These types are subject to change often and to stay updated with the latest and accurate list, you must refer to the government's website or visit the embassy.