Maldives

Visa-On-Arrival, stay 30 days
For ALL passports
Posted: 2017-09-18 - Last updated 2021-07-16
Source:
Maldives Immigration
Maldives map

Region: South Asia

Pandemic Travel Alert

OPEN: to international leisure travel

Most recent update: 2021-07-07 - Issuance of on-arrival tourist visas for travellers from South Asian countries resumed

Entry

General Policy
  1. On 15 July 2020, the Velana International Airport (VIA) reopened to the first commercial flight since borders closed on 27 March 2020.
  2. Starting 15 July 2020, resorts, hotels and liveaboards located on uninhabited islands are allowed to resume operations. Hotels and guest houses located on inhabited islands will be allowed to open from August 1, 2020.

(Source: "Maldives Welcomes Back First Tourists" [PDF download])

COVID-19 Related Entry Requirements

(Source: "Maldives: A Safe Haven for Travellers" [PDF download])

Visa
  1. Effective 15 July 2020, the suspension of visa-on-arrival has been lifted. All travellers are granted a free 30-day visa upon arrival.
  2. Effective 15 July 2021, the issuance of on-arrival tourist visas for travellers from South Asian countries is resumed. (Source: Visit Maldives - Update on Eases granted for Travel Restrictions [PDF download]
Vaccination
  1. Effective 3 May 2021, all travellers (including those who have completed the prescribed dosage of a Covid-19 vaccine) must present a negative result for a Nucleic Acid Test (PCR test) for Covid-19 on arrival.
  2. Effective 8th July 2021, travellers who have completed the prescribed doses of a Covid-19 vaccine 2 weeks prior to travel date may be exempted from the mandatory travel quarantine (within Maldives, to islands/tourist establishments not under monitoring status). However, approval through “HAALUBELUN PORTAL” required.
  3. Effective 20th April 2021, travel quarantine will be exempted for ALL travellers to an island where 60% of the island population has completed of 14 day period after the prescribed dosage of an approved vaccine
Sources:
  1. Visit Maldives - Update on Negative PCR test for Covid-19 requirement on arrival [PDF download]
  2. Visit Maldives - Update on Eases granted for Travel Restrictions [PDF download]
  3. Visit Maldives - Ease of Travel Restriction [PDF download]
Testing
  1. All travellers are required to hold a negative PCR test for COVID-19 conducted 96 hours prior the scheduled time of departure from the first port of embarkation enroute to Maldives.
  2. The PCR test result should be submitted online within 24 hours prior to departure to Maldives. In addition, the lab result should be presented in paper or electronic format during the airline check-in.
  3. If a transit exceeds 24 hours, the PCR test must be repeated prior to embarkation at the port of transit.
  4. Travellers staying in Greater Male’ area may also need to test again before exiting. See Exit section below for details.
Data Collection
  1. All travellers are required to submit an online Health Declaration Form within 24 hours prior to departure, and again 24 hours prior to exiting.
  2. All travellers are encouraged to install the Contact Tracing app.
Movement Restrictions
  • Quarantine upon arrival is not required.
Insurance
  • A Maldives COVID-19 insurance plan is available.

Exit

Exit Requirements
  1. Travellers whose entire stay is in Greater Male’ area for more than 48 hours must do a PCR test for COVID-19 not more than 72 hours prior to departure from Maldives. The result of this PCR test must be negative to allow them to travel. The guest house or hotel must ensure that PCR results are obtained prior to checkout.
  2. All travellers departing the Maldives are required to fill an online health declaration form within 24 hours prior to their scheduled departure from the Maldives. In addition to this, all outbound passengers to India are required to fill the “Air Suvidha” form prior to departure from the Maldives. The tourist facilities should ensure that forms are completed online prior to checkout.
Sources:
  1. "Guideline for re-opening of tourist guest houses and hotels in Greater Male’ area" [PDF download]
  2. "Air Suvidha and IMUGA Forms" [PDF download]

Other

Accomodation Restrictions
  1. A confirmed booking in a tourist establishment registered with the Ministry of Tourism is mandatory.
  2. Requests for approval of Split-Stays should be submitted to the Ministry of Tourism two days prior to the traveling date.

(Source: "Maldives: A Safe Haven for Travellers [Brochure]" [PDF download])

Pre-pandemic visa rules

Requirements

Passport Validity
6 months
Other Documents
Must have a valid ticket to continue the journey out of Maldives,enough funds to cover the stay in Maldives, (US$100 + $50 dollars per day) or a confirmation of reservation in a Tourist Resort or a Hotel
Transit
No information found.
Dual Nationality
U.S. policy on dual nationality can be found here.

Additional Notes

  1. A Tourist visa may be renewed by applying before the expiration of the visa to Immigration, who will reassess traveller's finances. Extension is only granted to a duration not exceeding a total of 90 days.
  2. Maldives Immigration warns: 'Caution: Full thirty day visa is not a right of the passenger to claim, but lies at the discretion of the Immigration to issue not more than thirty days and any period less than thirty days.'
Sources:

Applicable Passports: