Do I need a visa to the Maldives?

You do not need to pre-apply for a tourist visa before your holiday in the Maldives. All tourists, regardless of nationality, can obtain a 30-day visa free of charge upon arrival in the Maldives. Whilst in the Maldives on a tourist visa, you must not undertake any paid or unpaid work, nor must you undertake any business commitments. Those who engage in work commitments or exceed the validity of the visa may be deported or subject to fines. It is important to note that the issuance of tourist visas is left to the discretion of immigration officials.

Purpose: tourism

Duration: 30 days

For persons travelling to the Maldives for the purpose of employment, a work visa is granted for a period of 15 days from the date of arrival. To obtain such a permit, a foreign national must have a valid work permit issued by the Ministry of Economic Development, valid for a maximum of 90 days from the date of issue. To enter the country, the citizen must present the same passport on the basis of which the work permit was issued. Under certain circumstances, the holder of a work permit may be allowed to leave the country once and return once without obtaining a visa, provided that the work permit remains valid.

Purpose: Employment

Duration: maximum 90 days

Re-entry: possible

From 14 May 2023, any foreign national travelling to the Maldives for the purpose of attending a meeting, conference or congress held in the Maldives and who meets the mandatory entry requirements will be able to obtain a short-term visa for up to 14 days upon arrival. It is important to note that the meeting visa will be non-renewable. A person holding a meeting visa will not be eligible for a business visa during their stay in the Maldives.

Purpose: To attend or participate in a meeting, conference or convention

Multiplicity: single entry

Duration: 14 days

A business visa is a temporary multiple entry visa that can be obtained by a foreign national planning to stay in the Maldives for business purposes.
According to the new Business Visa Regulations published on 25 August 2021, applications for a business visa must be submitted to the Ministry of Economic Development through the Ministry's Business Portal. The visa will then be issued by Maldives Immigration upon the arrival of the foreigner.

A marriage visa is issued to a foreigner married to a Maldivian national for temporary stay in the Maldives.
A foreigner who is travelling to the country to marry a Maldivian or is already married to a Maldivian must be sponsored prior to his/her arrival.
Upon arrival in the Maldives, the foreigner must complete all legal procedures related to the marriage and apply for a marriage visa within the prescribed time frame. If the foreigner is already a resident of the Maldives, the translation of the marriage visa must be done after the completion of all legal procedures related to the registration of the marriage.

Purpose: Marriage or marriage to a Maldivian national.

Duration: 1 year

Extension: renewable for 5 years

The dependant visa is granted to the immediate family members of foreign workers (professional categories only) who are working in the Maldives. The following documents are required to apply for a dependent's visa: Application for permit renewal.Scanned copy of passport with biographical details of the applicant. Passport size photograph (must meet the Maldives immigration photo standards and be up to date). Copy of the foreign worker's work visa. Documents proving the relationship to the dependent. Medical certificate issued by a hospital/clinic authorised by the relevant government authority. Medical insurance. Copy of the last page of the visa (issued for stay in Maldives only if applicable). Latest visa issued for stay in Maldives (applicable for renewal only). Application Information Form (IM30, required for high risk countries only). Payment for dependent's visa using Visa card. Payment for a dependent's visa.