South Africa
Maldives
Maldives visa for South African citizens
Entry requirement
The Maldives issues South African citizens a visa on arrival for stays of up to 30 days, so nothing has to be arranged in advance.
- Maximum stay
- 30 days
- Where to apply
- Nothing to apply for in advance
Checked 7 November 2026 · Passport Index
Which Maldives visa?
Tourist Visa (granted on arrival)
Key facts
- Maximum stay
- Up to 30 days on arrival; extendable by 60 days (90 days in total)
- Fee
- US$0
- Processing time
- Granted at the port of entry; extensions expected within 48 hours
All visa types for the Maldives
The Maldives’ official sources list no fee for the tourist visa; applications go through imuga.immigration.gov.mv. Processing time, as the Maldives states it: Granted at the port of entry; extensions expected within 48 hours. Longest stay on the tourist visa: Up to 30 days on arrival; extendable by 60 days (90 days in total).
Maldivian citizens travelling to South Africa
MaldivesSouth Africa Visa-free, 30 days South Africa visa for citizens of the Maldives
Travel advice for the Maldives
- US State Department Level 2: Exercise increased caution
- 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.
For a trip from South Africa to the Maldives, the published travel advice reads as follows: the US State Department rates the Maldives at Level 2, exercise increased caution (updated 6 October 2025), the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office does not advise against travel to the Maldives (updated 12 August 2026) and the German Foreign Office has no travel warning for the Maldives (updated 13 October 2026).
Good to know
How long South African citizens can stay in the Maldives
South African citizens may stay in the Maldives for up to 30 days. The stay granted is recorded on entry to the Maldives.
How South African citizens apply
South African citizens receive the visa for the Maldives at the port of entry, so they should have their passport, the fee and any documents the officers may ask for, such as a return ticket.
Maldivian citizens travelling to South Africa
Maldivian citizens do not need a visa for South Africa: stays of up to 30 days are visa-free.
Frequently asked questions
Do South African citizens need a visa for the Maldives?
The Maldives issues South African citizens a visa on arrival for stays of up to 30 days, so nothing has to be arranged in advance.
How long can South African citizens stay in the Maldives?
South African citizens can stay in the Maldives for up to 30 days with a visa on arrival.
How much does the Maldives tourist visa cost?
The Maldives’ official sources list no fee for the tourist visa.
Do Maldivian citizens need a visa for South Africa?
Maldivian citizens do not need a visa for South Africa: stays of up to 30 days are visa-free.
Can South African citizens enter the Maldives visa-free?
No; South African citizens need a visa on arrival in the Maldives.
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.