Visitors are issued a maximum of 30-day tourist visa on arrival. All visitors who enter or leave the Republic of Maldives shall possess a valid passport or travel document. Visitors who enter should fulfill the following requirements in order to obtain the entry permit into the country:
Should possess a valid international travel document issued by a government of a sovereign state.
Should possess a valid return air ticket to a destination where the visitor has permission to enter, together with necessary visas for the onward journey to his/her next destination.The visitor should also possess a minimum of US$.30.00 per day or confirmed hotel reservation for the intended period of stay in the Maldives.
Following personnel are exempted from this requirement:
- Diplomats
- UN Personnel
- Approved persons for employment
- Technical and other experts attached to the Government
- Those who have confirm bookings in registered tourist Maldives resort /hotels etc.
- Those sponsored by Maldivians
Visitors do not require prior visa to enter the Republic of Maldives. Based on the immigration requirements, entry permit will be granted to visitors on arrival at designated ports of entry.
Visitors are not allowed to take up employment on entry permit, nor can they set up any business or exercise any profession whether paid or unpaid except with the consent and in conformity with the pertinent laws and regulations of the Maldives. However, a visitor or foreign delegation visiting the Maldives to conclude business agreements, contracts or to negotiate business transactions with their counterparts do not require work permits if the stay does not exceed the duration granted on arrival.
An expatriate who seek to engage in employment must obtain a work permit from the Ministry of Human Resources Employment and Labour, prior to arrival in Maldives.
Visitors who stay beyond the period for which they have been approved may be deported. Transit passengers must leave Maldives within 24 hours of arrival. If he fails to leave within 24 hours, the passenger shall revise his permit to stay. Passport or valid international travel document is acceptable for temporary admission in to the Maldives.
Disembarkation and Embarkation card shall be filled by every visitor and submitted to the Immigration Officer on entry/departure.The Government of Maldives refuses admission and transit to holder of Merchant Seaman books.
