Maldives
United States
United States visa for Maldivian citizens
Entry requirement
Maldivian citizens need a visa for the United States, obtained before travel.
- Where to apply
- No mission in your country
- Visa guide
- United States visa guide
Checked 7 November 2026 · Passport Index
Which United States visa?
Key facts
- Maximum stay
- Set by CBP on the I-94 at entry, usually up to 6 months for visitors
- Fee
- US$185
- Processing time
- Interview wait times vary; most visas are decided at or shortly after the interview unless administrative processing is needed
All visa types for the United States
The United States’ tourist visa costs US$185 at the standard rate published by its authorities. Processing time, as the United States states it: Interview wait times vary; most visas are decided at or shortly after the interview unless administrative processing is needed. Longest stay on the tourist visa: Set by CBP on the I-94 at entry, usually up to 6 months for visitors.
Where Maldivian citizens apply for a visa for the United States
United States has no embassy or consulate in Maldives on our records; applications usually go through a mission in a neighbouring country or an online portal.
- Embassy of the United States in Colombo765 km
Galle Road 210, Colombo 03
- 1,234 km
- 2,401 km
The nearest US missions to Malé are in Colombo, Sri Lanka (765 km from Malé), Chennai, India (1,234 km) and Karachi, Pakistan (2,401 km). The United States sets which of its missions takes applications from the Maldives; the mission or the official visa portal confirms it before an appointment is booked.
US visas issued to citizens of the Maldives
| Visas issued | FY 2024 | FY 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| Visitor (B) | 158 | 134 |
| Student (F, M) | 50 | 9 |
| Exchange (J) | 10 | 10 |
| Work and treaty (H, L, O, E…) | 2 | 7 |
| Transit and crew (C, D) | 17 | 6 |
| Diplomatic and official (A, G) | 249 | 209 |
| Fiancé(e) (K) | 2 | 0 |
| Total | 488 | 375 |
| B visa refusal rate (adjusted) | 25.8% | 10.6% |
In fiscal year 2025 (October 2024 to September 2025) the United States issued 375 nonimmigrant visas to citizens of Maldives, the 173rd highest number of the 206 nationalities listed. Diplomatic and official visas (A, G) made up 56%, visitor visas 36% and exchange visitor visas 3%. That is 23% fewer than in fiscal year 2024 (488).
From October 2025 to February 2026, citizens of Maldives received 103, 26% fewer than in the same months a year earlier.
For visitor visas (B1/B2) the State Department reports an adjusted refusal rate of 10.6% for citizens of Maldives in fiscal year 2025 (fiscal year 2024: 25.8%). The adjusted rate counts a refusal that was later overcome, for example with further documents, as an issuance. A rate below 3% is one of the conditions for a country to join the Visa Waiver Program.
These figures count visas issued to citizens of Maldives anywhere in the world, not only at the US missions in Maldives.
Source: US Department of State, Bureau of Consular Affairs, monthly nonimmigrant visa issuances up to February 2026 and adjusted refusal rates (public domain). US fiscal years run from October to September. How these figures are made
US citizens travelling to the Maldives
United StatesMaldives Visa on arrival Maldives visa for citizens of the United States
Travel advice for the United States
- UK Foreign Office (FCDO) No advice against travel
- German Foreign Office No travel warning
What the US, British and German foreign ministries tell their own citizens about travelling there, in each ministry’s own terms.
Maldivian citizens planning a trip to the United States can compare how foreign ministries rate it: the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office does not advise against travel to the United States (updated 30 October 2026) and the German Foreign Office has no travel warning for the United States (updated 30 October 2026). Each ministry writes for its own citizens.
Good to know
How long Maldivian citizens can stay in the United States
How long Maldivian citizens may stay in the United States is set by the visa issued, and the visa type must match the purpose of the trip.
How Maldivian citizens apply
The United States has no embassy or career consulate in the Maldives. Maldivian citizens apply through a mission of the United States accredited to the Maldives from abroad; the official visa portal of the United States names the right place.
The United States’ neighbours for Maldivian citizens
Canada and Mexico require Maldivian citizens to obtain a visa in advance.
US citizens travelling to the Maldives
US citizens receive their visa for the Maldives at the border; it covers up to 30 days.
Frequently asked questions
Do Maldivian citizens need a visa for the United States?
Maldivian citizens need a visa for the United States, obtained before travel.
Is there an embassy of the United States in the Maldives?
No. The United States has no embassy in the Maldives. The nearest US embassy is in Colombo, Sri Lanka, 765 km from Malé.
How much does the United States tourist visa cost?
The United States’ official sources give a standard fee of US$185 for the tourist visa. Processing time: Interview wait times vary; most visas are decided at or shortly after the interview unless administrative processing is needed.
Do US citizens need a visa for the Maldives?
US citizens receive their visa for the Maldives at the border; it covers up to 30 days.
Can Maldivian citizens enter the United States visa-free?
No; Maldivian citizens need a visa for the United States obtained in advance.
Visa data: Passport Index via passport-index-data, as of 7 November 2026. Rules change, sometimes overnight. Confirm with the embassy or the official government portal before you book.