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Maldives · Entry rules

Who needs a visa for the Maldives?

Entry rules for the Maldives by nationality, for short tourist or business visits, from Maldives Immigration, checked .

In brief

No nationality can visit the Maldives without a visa under its official rules. 1 need a visa before they travel. Everyone else, 197 nationalities, gets a visa on arrival.

Visa-free
0
On arrival
197
eVisa or ETA
0
Visa required
1

About 10 m people (0% of the world's other nationalities by population) need a visa arranged before they travel to the Maldives: a visa, an eVisa or a visa only with another permit.

Checked 31 Oct 2026Source: Maldives ImmigrationReport a change

Most commonIndiaUnited StatesPakistanHong KongVietnamSaudi ArabiaAll passports

Maldives entry rules at a glance

GroupStayNationalitiesExamplesSource
Visa on arrival30 days197India, United States, Pakistan, ChinaMaldives Immigration
eVisa90 days in any 12 months, multiple entry197India, United States, Pakistan, ChinaMaldives Immigration
Entry suspendedNot stated1IsraelMaldives Immigration

Visa on arrival for 30 days: India, the US, Pakistan and 194 more

197 nationalities

No pre-approval needed; IMUGA Traveller Declaration within 96 hours before arrival; confirmed return ticket, prepaid booking at a registered facility and sufficient funds; passport with MRZ valid at least 1 month.

Source: Maldives Immigration, checked Tourists receive a 30-day visa on arrival.

eVisa for 90 days in any 12 months: India, the US, Pakistan and 194 more

197 nationalities

Business visits only: invitation by a locally registered Maldivian business, applied through the Ministry of Economic Development and Trade Business Portal (business.egov.mv) and approved before arrival.

Source: Maldives Immigration, checked A Business Visa is a multiple-entry visa granted to foreign nationals travelling to the Maldives for approved business purposes.

Entry suspended: Israel

1 nationality

Since 15 Apr 2025, entry on Israeli passports is refused.

Source: Maldives Immigration, checked Effective from 15th April 2025, entry to the Maldives will not be granted on Israeli passports.

If you live in the UAE

Emirati citizens: visa on arrival, 30 days (no pre-approval needed; IMUGA Traveller Declaration within 96 hours before arrival; confirmed return ticket, prepaid booking at a registered facility and sufficient funds; passport with MRZ valid at least 1 month).

UAE residents, any passport: Visa on arrival for all nationalities, Not stated on the current official page. Passport valid 1+ month, confirmed return ticket, paid booking at a registered facility, enough funds; IMUGA traveller declaration within 96 hours before arrival. Source: Maldives Immigration, checked 1 Nov 2026. See Maldives in the visa-free table for UAE residents, by passport.

Where to apply

A visa is applied for at an embassy or consulate of the Maldives, or the visa centre it names, in the country where you live.

These rules cover ordinary passports and short visits; work, study and transit have their own rules.

Most searched passports

FAQ

Do I need a visa to visit the Maldives?

It depends on your passport: 197 get a visa on arrival and 1 need a visa. Choose your passport above.

Do Indian citizens need a visa for the Maldives?

Not in advance. Indian citizens get a visa on arrival (30 days); no pre-approval needed; IMUGA Traveller Declaration within 96 hours before arrival; confirmed return ticket, prepaid booking at a registered facility and sufficient funds; passport with MRZ valid at least 1 month (Maldives Immigration, checked 1 Nov 2026).

Do US citizens need a visa for the Maldives?

Not in advance. US citizens get a visa on arrival (30 days); no pre-approval needed; IMUGA Traveller Declaration within 96 hours before arrival; confirmed return ticket, prepaid booking at a registered facility and sufficient funds; passport with MRZ valid at least 1 month (Maldives Immigration, checked 1 Nov 2026).

Sources and changes

  1. Maldives Immigration: tourist visa on arrivalimmigration.gov.mv · checked 1 Nov 2026
  2. Maldives Immigration: business visaimmigration.gov.mv · checked 31 Oct 2026
  3. IMUGA Traveller Declaration (official)imuga.immigration.gov.mv · checked 31 Oct 2026
  1. Sources and wording fixed for the Maldives, Serbia, Barbados, Jamaica and Taiwan; the rules are unchanged
  2. All groups checked against Maldives Immigration.

Something out of date? Tell us and we'll check it against the official source.

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Rules change without notice. Always confirm with the official source linked on each page before you travel.