Maldives visa - everything you need to know before you go

The Maldives, with its turquoise waters, white beaches and luxurious resorts, is a dream destination that has become a symbol of exotic holidays and a paradise for those looking for peace, natural beauty and unforgettable views. However, as with any traveler, before traveling to the Maldives, it is worth familiarizing yourself with the necessary formalities, which may vary depending on the purpose of your visit. To ensure a peaceful stay, it is crucial to understand the entry rules, visa regulations and immigration requirements, which can affect the comfort of your trip. Although the Maldives offers relatively simple entry rules for tourists, it is worth knowing what documents you will need and what rules apply for longer stays before planning your trip. Understanding these issues will allow you to fully focus on what is most important - enjoying the beauty and peace of this tropical paradise.

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Maldives | Furaveri, Kodhiparu

Maldives Visa Process – Costs, Duration and Details

Are you planning? holidays in the Maldives? Great news – a tourist visa is free and you will receive it upon arrival. It is valid for 30 days and is quick and easy to obtain, provided you meet a few basic requirements. Upon arrival, the immigration officer will ask for a passport valid for at least one month from the date of departure, a return or onward ticket, confirmation of accommodation reservation for the entire stay and proof of financial means to support yourself – this can be cash or a payment card. Additionally, before travelling, you must complete the IMUGA form online, available on the Maldivian Immigration Service website. It is worth remembering that if you are travelling to the Maldives for a purpose other than tourism, e.g. for work, studies or business, you will need to obtain the appropriate visa in advance.

The visa process in the Maldives is one of the easiest in the world, which means that traveling to these paradise islands does not require complicated formalities. Just take care of the required documents and enjoy the blue lagoons, white sand and unforgettable atmosphere of this unique place. The Maldives are waiting - let yourself be enchanted by the paradise landscapes!

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Maldives, Sri Lanka | Negombo, Sigirya, Kandy, Nuwara Eliya, Yala, Tangalla, Maldives

Maldives without a visa – when is it possible?

The Maldives is one of the most tourist-friendly destinations in the world, and its visa policy makes traveling to the islands exceptionally easy. A tourist visa is issued free of charge at the airport upon arrival, meaning that obtaining one in advance is not necessary. However, there are situations in which you can visit the Maldives without a visa, and the key factors here are the length of your stay and the purpose of your stay.

The most important case when you don't have to worry about a visa is a transit trip. If you're planning a short layover in the Maldives and don't intend to leave the airport, no additional documentation or fees are required. A visa is also not needed if your stay is less than 24 hours and is only for transferring to another flight. In practice, this means that travelers changing planes can stay at the airport without having to go through border control. However, it's worth remembering that if you're staying longer than one day, even if it's a short trip to one of the nearby islands, you'll need to get a standard visa on arrival, which is free and valid for 30 days.

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Maldives

What visas are available for the Maldives?

The Maldives offers several types of visas depending on the purpose of travel. The most popular option is a tourist visa, issued free of charge at the airport upon arrival. For those traveling for business purposes, a business visa is provided, which allows for a stay of up to 90 days. It cannot be obtained automatically upon arrival - a Maldivian company or institution must apply for it in advance at the Immigration Office. To obtain a business visa, it is necessary to present an invitation from a local company, confirmation of accommodation and documents related to business activities.

If you plan to work in the Maldives, a tourist visa is not enough – you need a work visa. The process of obtaining one begins with an application from a Maldivian employer for a work permit. Once approved, you can enter the Maldives with a temporary visa, and upon arrival, undergo medical examinations and submit the results to the office. Only then is a full-fledged work visa issued for the duration of the employment contract.

For those who plan to stay longer, a resident visa is available. It can be obtained on the basis of marriage to a Maldivian citizen, investment in the local economy, or special international agreements. This visa gives the right to legal residence for a longer period, but obtaining it involves additional formalities.

Those who wish to study in the Maldives must apply for a student visa, which is issued based on an acceptance letter from a Maldivian university. To obtain it, it is also necessary to show proof of financial resources, proof of accommodation, a valid passport and health insurance. The student visa is valid for the entire duration of the study and can be extended.

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Maldives

Extending your stay in the Maldives – practical tips

If you are planning a longer stay in the Maldives, you can extend your tourist visa from 30 days to a maximum of 90 days. The process is relatively simple, but requires a few formalities. The extension of your visit must be done at the Maldives Immigration Office in Male. It is important to apply for the extension at least 2 days before your current visa expires, although it is best to do it earlier to avoid any problems with time.

To extend your stay, you must prepare the appropriate documents. You will need a valid passport, which should be valid for at least 6 months from the date of application. You must also complete the visa extension application form, which is available online on the IMUGA website: https://imuga.immigration.gov.mv/visa-application/create or at the office itself. Another important document is confirmation of the accommodation reservation for the period for which you plan to extend your stay. In addition, it will be necessary to provide proof of sufficient financial resources for the further stay, which can be proven, for example, by a bank statement or cash.

The cost of extending a tourist visa to the Maldives is 750 MVR (approximately 50 USD). Extending your visa gives you the opportunity to spend a total of 90 days in the Maldives. It is worth remembering that if you do not extend your visa after the original deadline, you may be subject to a financial penalty. For those who exceed the permitted stay, fines are provided, which range from 500 to 3000 MVR (approximately 30-200 USD), and in extreme cases, a ban on re-entry to the Maldives may be imposed.

An alternative to extending your stay is a so-called visa run, i.e. going to another country and re-entering the Maldives. Popular destinations for such short trips are Sri Lanka, India and the United Arab Emirates. However, it should be remembered that this option does not guarantee success, because the decision to issue a visa depends on immigration officials.

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Maldives

Frequently asked questions about formalities regarding travel to the Maldives

The Maldives is one of the most desirable tourist destinations in the world. Known for its beautiful beaches, turquoise waters and luxurious resorts, it attracts millions of tourists every year. To fully enjoy this paradise, it is worth familiarizing yourself with the formalities related to traveling to the Maldives in advance.

One of the first questions that come to mind for travelers is the issue of a visa. The good news is that a tourist visa to the Maldives is available at the airport upon arrival and is granted for 30 days. Tourists do not have to apply for a visa before traveling, which makes planning a vacation much easier. However, to obtain a visa to the Maldives, you must meet a few basic conditions: a passport valid for at least one month from the date of departure from the Maldives, a return or onward ticket, and a confirmed accommodation reservation. Additionally, it is worth having enough funds with you to prove that you will be able to cover the costs of your stay. Another question that often arises is the possibility of extending your stay. In the Maldives, there is an option to extend a tourist visa for up to 90 days. The extension process takes place at the Maldives Immigration Office in Male. However, it is worth remembering that the extension is subject to a fee and requires the presentation of documents such as confirmation of accommodation for the next period of stay and proof of sufficient funds. It is also worth remembering that a tourist visa can be extended only once.

What are the health and vaccination requirements? The Maldives is a relatively safe place, but it is worth checking the vaccination recommendations before traveling. Although there are no mandatory vaccinations, vaccination against hepatitis A and B, tetanus, and typhoid is recommended. In addition, if you are traveling from countries where yellow fever occurs, you must present a certificate of vaccination against this disease before entering the Maldives. It is also always worth taking basic medications with you, and also check whether there are medical facilities on the island you are traveling to in case of an emergency.

The Maldives has quite strict customs regulations. It is forbidden to bring alcohol, drugs, pornography, and items that may be considered illegal under Maldivian law. Although alcohol is available in hotels and tourist resorts, it is not allowed to bring it to the islands. In addition, you should avoid bringing animal products (e.g. coral, shells) and antiques.

The Maldives is a paradise for lovers of exotic travel, offering countless attractions of the Maldives, among which white, sandy beaches predominate beaches of the maldives surrounded by turquoise water. The weather in the Maldives is perfect for year-round relaxation, with high temperatures and a warm ocean, ideal for water sports. Diving in the Maldives is an unforgettable experience, allowing you to discover colorful coral reefs and the richness of the underwater world. It is also worth remembering safety in the Maldives, it is one of the most peaceful tourist destinations, offering comfortable and carefree relaxation.