Maldives

Maldives visa guide

6 visa types
checked 24 October 2026

How visas for the Maldives work

The Maldives does not require tourists to obtain a visa in advance. Visitors of every nationality except holders of Israeli passports receive a tourist visa on arrival, which Maldivian missions describe as up to 30 days free of charge. Admission is decided by the immigration officer at the port of entry under sections 7 and 8 of the Maldives Immigration Act 2007, on the basis of a passport valid for at least one month, a confirmed return ticket, a prepaid booking at a registered tourist facility and sufficient funds.

Every traveller, including children, must also file an individual Traveller Declaration on the IMUGA portal of Maldives Immigration, free of charge, within 96 hours before arrival. IMUGA is also the channel for tourist visa extensions, sponsorship declarations and most resident visas; work visas are handled in the Xpat Online System and business visas in the Business Portal of the economic ministry. Since 15 April 2025 the Maldives does not admit holders of Israeli passports.

Beyond tourism, the main categories are the multiple-entry Business Visa (up to 90 days in 12 months), the 14-day Meeting Visa for conferences, the Work Visa linked to an employer's work permit, the Dependent Visa for families of professional workers, the Marriage Visa for spouses of Maldivians and the Corporate Resident Visa for investors. All visas are now issued electronically; passport stickers for work visas lost validity on 23 November 2025.

Which visa do I need?

Holiday, honeymoon or diving trip: tourist visa on arrival, up to 30 days, extendable by 60 days on IMUGA. Conference or convention: Meeting Visa on arrival (14 days, not extendable). Business visits invited by a Maldivian company: Business Visa, multiple entry, up to 90 days in 12 months.

Job offer: your employer obtains a work permit (Entry Pass) and then the Work e-Visa. Joining a professional worker: Dependent Visa. Married to a Maldivian: Marriage Visa. Investing US$250,000 or more: Corporate Resident Visa.

Visa types for the Maldives

Visits and short stays

Tourist visa Tourist Visa (granted on arrival)
Tourists of every nationality do not apply for a Maldives visa in advance: a tourist visa of up to 30 days is granted free of charge on arrival, except to holders of Israeli passports, who are not admitted.
Maximum stay: Up to 30 days on arrival; extendable by 60 days (90 days in total)

Business and self-employment

Business visa Business Visa (and 14-day Meeting Visa)
Foreigners invited by a locally registered business or organisation can obtain a Maldives Business Visa, a multiple-entry e-visa allowing a cumulative stay of up to 90 days within 12 months.
Maximum stay: Up to 90 days in total within a 12-month period (Meeting Visa: 14 days)
Investor visa Corporate Resident Visa (foreign investors)
The Corporate Resident Visa is the Maldives' resident visa for eligible foreign investors.

Work

Work visa Work Visa (Work e-Visa linked to a work permit)
Foreigners can work in the Maldives only through an employer.
Maximum stay: As long as the work permit; renewals for a maximum of one year

Family

Family reunification visa Dependent Visa (family of professional-category workers)
Foreigners working in the Maldives under a professional-category Work Visa can bring their spouse, children under 18 or parents on a Dependent Visa.
Processing time: Sponsorship declarations are normally processed within five working days
Spouse and partner visa Marriage Visa (resident visa for spouses of Maldivians)
The Marriage Visa is the resident visa for a foreign national legally married to a Maldivian citizen.
Maximum stay: 1 year initially; renewals for up to 5 years

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a visa for the Maldives?

Not in advance. Tourists of all nationalities except holders of Israeli passports receive a free tourist visa of up to 30 days on arrival if they meet the entry requirements and have filed the IMUGA Traveller Declaration.

What is the IMUGA Traveller Declaration?

A free online form that every traveller, including children, submits individually on the IMUGA portal within 96 hours before arriving in the Maldives (and before departing). It is shown at immigration.

How long must my passport be valid?

For tourists and meeting visitors, at least one month, with a machine-readable zone. Passports whose validity has been extended are not accepted. Business visa applicants need six months.

Can I stay longer than 30 days?

Yes. The tourist visa can be extended for an additional 60 days by applying on IMUGA before it expires; since April 2026 only a recent photo is normally needed and decisions are expected within 48 hours.

Can I work in the Maldives on a tourist visa?

No. Paid or unpaid work and business engagements are prohibited on a tourist visa; visitors found working or overstaying may be fined or deported.

Do I need a yellow fever certificate?

Only if you arrive from, or have recently transited through, a country with a risk of yellow fever transmission. Children under one year are exempt.