Byevisa » Maldives Travel Visa

All About the Maldives Visa

If you plan to visit the Maldives, a common question you may be asking is, “Do you need a visa for the Maldives?” Fortunately, this country is among the most welcoming nations in the world, allowing all its visitors to obtain a Visa on Arrival free of charge at the airport.

Everyone needs to get this authorisation upon arrival except nationals of India and Russia, who can stay for up to 90 days without a visa. Citizens of Brunei can enter visa-free for a 15-day stay. There is no e-Visa system to obtain your authorisation online at this time.

The Maldives, which is officially known as the Republic of Maldives, is an archipelago of 26 atolls which are composed of 1,200 islands and reefs in the Indian Ocean’s Arabian Sea. Tourists flock to this stunning destination each year to celebrate honeymoons, snorkel among the extensive reefs, and dive in the clear blue waters of the Ari Atoll.

Known for its over-water bungalows, blue lagoons and white sandy beaches, the Maldives is an attractive destination for those who love water sports, thanks to its year-round warm water, high visibility and diversity of marine life. You can see manta rays, spotted whale sharks and even pods of dolphins.

While Byevisa can’t assist you in applying for an authorisation for this tropical paradise, we have provided useful travel information below so you know what to expect as you plan your trip.

e-Visa versus Maldives Visa on Arrival

An eVisa is a travel document that you apply for online before travelling. It’s a secure and fast way to get the authorisation you need to enter a country by simply showing your passport and eVisa at the border control.

However, at this time the Republic does not offer an eVisa and directs visitors to obtain a Visa on Arrival (VoA). You can obtain your VoA by going to the airport’s visa area and filling out the application form. You’ll need to present a valid passport that expires no less than 6 months from your arrival date.

Maldives Visa Requirements and Eligibility

All nationalities except Russia, India and Brunei must get a Visa on Arrival when entering the Maldives. To confirm that you’re eligible, use our checker tool below.

Check Visa Eligibility

In addition, you must meet the following conditions:

  • You must have a passport that is Machine Readable and valid for at least 6 months from the date you arrive.
  • You need to present a return ticket showing your planned departure date.
  • You should have sufficient funds to cover your expenses during your entire stay, which is calculated as a 100.00 USD flat fee plus 50.00 USD per each day you plan to stay.
  • You need to show confirmation of your hotel booking or other accommodation.
  • You may need a yellow fever vaccination certificate if you’re arriving from a country where there’s a risk of infection. See the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) recommendations here.

Immigration Department officials have the final authority to approve your entry and decide how many days you are allowed to stay, but the maximum is 30 days.

Maldives Visa on Arrival Application Form

When you arrive, you fill out a form with the following information:

  • Your gender.
  • Your name and surname.
  • Your nationality.
  • Your date of birth.
  • Your date of arrival.
  • Your passport number and its issue and expiry dates.
  • Your occupation.
  • The name and address of your hotel.
  • Your home address, including the street, city and country.

What to Expect Upon Arrival to the Maldives

If you’re travelling by air, you land at Velana International Airport in Malé, the capital and largest island. You pass through immigration, at which point you fill out the aforementioned VoA application form and show proof of funds and accommodation.

It’s important to note that if you don’t have a hotel booking, you could be refused entry. Otherwise, you may have to pay exorbitant rates for your first night’s stay if the customs officer assists you with the hotel booking.

After finalising your VoA application and being allowed through, you have your hand luggage screened. Your checked baggage is screened before it arrives at the baggage claim carousel, but you may be asked to screen it again if you’re found with a restricted or prohibited item.

You aren’t allowed to bring alcohol into the country, so it’s recommended not to buy any alcoholic beverages at the duty-free airport shops. Any prohibited items discovered by the customs agent in your luggage will be held behind, and you get a receipt to have your items returned to you on the date of your departure.

It’s worth mentioning that when you leave, it’s forbidden to take any natural objects with you including sand, turtle shells, seashells and other marine products.

You may also exchange your money for local currency inside the airport, which is recommendable if you plan to visit any local islands.

How Much Does a Maldives Visa Cost?

The Maldives government does not charge any fee for a VoA, you can get it free of charge. If you want to apply for an extension that’s longer than 30 days, you have to pay a fee of 750 Rufiyaa, which is around 50.00 USD.

However, you have to show proof of sufficient funds to cover your visit, calculated as a 100.00 USD flat fee plus 50.00 USD for every extra day you’re saying.

More Maldives Visa Questions and Information

Do you have more questions about travel to Maldives? We’ve compiled some useful travel tips below to help you have a smooth journey.

While it’s likely you will be welcomed in without hesitation, the immigration officer reviewing your application makes the final decision on allowing or refusing entry to visitors. You are interviewed when you submit your application, and you could be refused entry if the immigration officer suspects any of the following:
  • That you are supplying fraudulent travel documents.
  • That you have the intention of disrupting the peace or participating in unlawful activities.
  • That you harbour extreme political, religious or anti-Semitic views.
Yes, it is possible to renew your authorisation by applying for an extension before your current travel pass expires. To do so, you have to go in person to fill out a Visa Extension Application Form at the immigration department’s main office during working hours.

If the extension is granted, you may stay up to 90 more days. The extension is free of charge if you apply to stay for 30 days or less. Otherwise a fee of 750 Rufiyaa, the local currency which equates to around 50.00 USD, will be charged. You’re sure to fall in love with this charming island nation, but be careful not to stay beyond your approved visa or extension dates, or else you may risk being deported.
British citizens can get their Visa on Arrival upon landing on the island by going to the visa area in the airport. This is currently the only way to get a visa for Maldives from the UK.
No authorisation is needed, as Indian citizens can visit this spectacular island for up to 90 days visa-free.
As this island nation is warm and sunny year-round, you need lightweight clothing and you can generally dress casually for most occasions.

Today the most prominent religion in the country is Islam, and therefore women should wear modest clothing, especially when around local people. A swimsuit should be worn at all times on the beaches, as nudism and topless sunbathing are prohibited on all the islands.
It’s recommended to make photocopies of your airline tickets and passport and any insurance policy you have purchased, for example for scuba diving or extreme sports.
Yes, there are a few items that are prohibited. Aside from the obvious prohibition of illegal drugs, you may not enter the country with firearms, alcoholic beverages, pork products, pornography or religious idols. You can purchase alcohol and pork products on resort islands in shops or bars with specific licenses for these products.
As the archipelago of atolls and islands are spread apart, you have to travel by air or water to get from one place to another. Ferries, speedboats and seaplanes are the 3 most common options, with ferries being the slowest and least reliable, speedboats becoming more commonplace, and seaplanes being the fastest option and the best for travelling further distances.

Once you’re on each island, you can easily get around on foot or by bicycle. Some of the smaller islands are not prepared for cars, but on the larger islands you may hire a taxi if necessary.
The government allows visitors to stay up to 30 days with a Visa on Arrival, or 90 days visa-free for Russian and Indian citizens and 15 days for Brunei nationals.
No, it is strictly forbidden to work in the Maldives with a tourist visa. If you are discovered to be working, you may be removed from the country immediately. In addition, the following are grounds for dismissal from the island:
  • Being discovered participating in or have the intention to participate in any illegal activity.
  • If you are suspected of disrupting the country’s religious or political harmony.
  • If you’ve been reported as a public nuisance.
  • If you’re discovered with an expired visa or work permit of any kind.
Remember to respect the local customs, don’t overstay your travel authorisation, and behave peacefully during your stay and you are sure to have a wonderful experience.
Yes, if you arrive by private yacht or boat you can receive a visa at no cost which is valid until your planned departure date. If you arrive at an atoll besides Malé, you should get proper clearance from the authorities in Malé first. You’ll be met by a customs or immigration agent wherever you anchor.
The Maldivian currency is called the Rufiyaa. At the time of writing, 1.00 US Dollar is roughly equivalent to 15.42 Rufiyaa. You can get your country’s currency changed only in the Maldives when you arrive, and if you have any left over, you should convert it back before leaving.

Fortunately, many resorts accept and operate in US dollars, and dollars are accepted in many local establishments such as shops and restaurants on the main island.
It’s a good idea to take all the medications and hygiene products you normally use, as it may not be easy to find a proper shop once you get to the smaller islands.

There’s generally no problem with bringing medication, as long as you can show a doctor's prescription and you don’t bring more medication than you need for the duration of your stay in the Maldives.
As the climate is sunny, be sure to pack sunglasses and sun cream. Since the islands are sparsely populated and therefore not well lit, you should bring a torch to walk in the evenings. You can buy in local shops in the capital of Malé, on the larger islands, or in resort shops if you find you need something.
You may observe religious practices in your own personal accommodation or residence. Be careful not to invite Maldivians to join you as you could face a fine, jail sentence, or expulsion from the country. Islam is the only religion allowed to be practised publicly. Though you can’t bring religious idols, you may bring what’s necessary for your own private religious observance.
Here’s an example of the travel document you receive:
Would you like to know more about this small island nation in South Asia before you go? Then please find below a selection of helpful links:
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