Maldives tourist visa

The Maldives grants tourist visas on arrival without pre-approval to foreigners travelling as tourists. Maldivian missions state that visitors of all nationalities can receive up to 30 days free of charge. The exception is holders of Israeli passports, who have not been admitted since 15 April 2025.

The visa is a decision of the immigration officer, not an entitlement: meeting the requirements does not guarantee entry, and the officer may grant a shorter stay. Children need their own passport.

At the border you need a passport with a machine-readable zone and at least one month of validity (passports with an extended validity are refused), a confirmed return or onward ticket, a prepaid confirmed booking at a registered tourist facility, and enough money for the stay or an approved sponsorship. Maldivian missions quote a guide figure of US$100 plus US$50 per day, shown in cash or by bank statement, for travellers without a hotel or resort booking. You must also meet the entry rules of your next destination.

A valid yellow fever vaccination certificate is required if you arrive from, or have recently transited through, a country with a risk of yellow fever transmission; children under one year are exempt. Carry the certificate with you if this applies, as it is checked on arrival.

Every traveller, including infants and minors, must submit an individual Traveller Declaration on the IMUGA portal of Maldives Immigration. It can be filed up to 96 hours (four days) before arrival, is free of charge and is presented at immigration on arrival. The same portal lets you edit or verify a declaration. A family travelling together therefore files one declaration per person.

Maldivian missions explain that the on-arrival visa can be extended for an additional 60 days by applying to Maldives Immigration before it expires. Since 23 April 2026 the extension is requested on IMUGA under a simplified process: the system fills in your details from your passport number or biodata page, you can update your hotel if you have moved, and normally only a passport-size photo taken within the last 12 months is required. The passport page is needed only if your passport was renewed or your details do not match. Applications are expected to be completed within 48 hours.

A tourist visa does not allow any paid or unpaid work or business engagement. Visitors found working, or staying beyond their visa, may be fined or deported. For a conference you need a Meeting Visa, and for business visits a Business Visa.