Getting into the Maldives is one of the easiest parts of planning a resort holiday. There is no visa to apply for in advance. If you meet a short list of entry requirements, you are given a free tourist visa when you land.
This guide explains what the visa on arrival is, what immigration officers expect to see, how the online Traveller Declaration works, and how to avoid paying for things that are actually free.
Rules can change, so always check the official Maldives Immigration website shortly before you travel. We link to it at the end of this guide.
The free tourist visa on arrival
The Maldives gives tourists a visa on arrival. According to Maldives Immigration, foreigners travelling as tourists do not need pre-approval. You do not fill in a visa application before your trip, and you do not pay a visa fee.
Maldivian diplomatic missions describe it as a free visa of up to 30 days, issued on arrival to all nationalities that meet the requirements. For most resort holidays, that is more than enough time.
The visa is stamped at the immigration counter at the airport where you first land, usually Velana International Airport near Malé. Once you are cleared, you continue to your resort transfer.
One exception is published on the official site. Since 15 April 2025, entry is not granted on Israeli passports. If this could affect anyone in your group, check the official page before booking.
What immigration officers ask for
Maldives Immigration lists a few basic entry requirements. Have them ready in your hand luggage, not in your checked bag.
A valid passport
You need a passport or travel document with a machine-readable zone (the two lines of letters and numbers at the bottom of the photo page). The official minimum is at least one month of validity.
Many airlines and travel sites recommend six months of validity. That is not the Maldives rule, but it is a sensible buffer. It also helps if your onward country or transit airport has stricter rules.
Passports with a handwritten or stamped extension are not accepted, according to the official page.
A confirmed return or onward ticket
You must show a confirmed ticket out of the Maldives. A return flight home is the simplest proof. If you are flying on to another country, make sure you also meet that country's entry rules.
A confirmed booking
Immigration expects a prepaid, confirmed booking at a registered tourist facility, such as a resort. Keep your resort confirmation on your phone and, ideally, on paper too.
When you book one of our hand-picked resorts through Maldives Desk, your confirmation includes the resort name and dates you will need here.
Enough funds for your stay
The official requirements also mention sufficient funds to cover your stay. In practice, a confirmed resort booking and a working bank card are what most resort guests rely on. Officers may still ask, so do not travel with no means of payment.
Yellow fever certificate, only in some cases
The official page says you need a valid yellow fever vaccination certificate if you are arriving from, or have recently travelled through, a country with a risk of yellow fever. Children under one are exempt. If this might apply to you, check with your doctor or travel clinic well before you fly.
The IMUGA Traveller Declaration
Every foreign traveller arriving in the Maldives must complete a Traveller Declaration. It is filled in online on the official IMUGA portal run by Maldives Immigration.
When to fill it in
You can submit the declaration up to 96 hours (four days) before you arrive. Doing it two or three days before departure is a good habit. Your flight details and resort name are usually final by then.
The IMUGA portal also describes the declaration as required within 96 hours of departure. Your resort team can usually remind you of this before you leave.
What it asks for
The form asks for personal details, passport details, travel information and where you are staying. Have your passport, flight numbers and resort name next to you before you start.
One form per person
Each traveller needs their own declaration, including children and babies. A family of four completes four forms.
Children also need their own passport to enter the Maldives.
What happens after you submit
After you submit, you receive a confirmation. Save it on your phone or take a screenshot. You may be asked to show it at immigration.
Do not pay third parties for the visa or the form
Both the visa on arrival and the IMUGA Traveller Declaration are free. The official immigration page says the declaration is free of charge.
Some websites look official but charge a "processing" or "service" fee to submit the form for you or to sell you a Maldives "e-visa". There is no need to use them. They can also ask for your passport details, which you should share only with official services.
To stay safe:
- Use only the official IMUGA portal at imuga.immigration.gov.mv.
- Check the web address carefully before entering passport details.
- Ignore adverts offering a paid Maldives tourist visa.
- If you are unsure, ask your airline, your resort or our team.
Arriving at the airport
Once you land, follow the signs to immigration. Have your passport, return ticket, resort confirmation and declaration confirmation ready.
Officers check your documents and stamp your passport. After baggage reclaim and customs, a representative from your resort usually meets you in the arrivals hall. They look after your transfer by speedboat, seaplane or domestic flight.
Our guide to airports in the Maldives explains the arrival hall and transfers in more detail.
Staying longer or changing plans
The tourist visa on arrival is generally for up to 30 days. If your plans change while you are in the Maldives, speak to your resort team early. They can explain your options with the official authorities.
Do not overstay your visa. Work of any kind is not allowed on a tourist visa.
Entry is decided at the border
Even with every document ready, the official site notes that entry is granted at the port of entry by immigration officers, in line with the Maldives Immigration Act. In practice, resort guests with complete paperwork are cleared quickly, but the final decision is theirs.
Quick checklist
- Passport with a machine-readable zone and enough validity
- Confirmed return or onward ticket
- Confirmed resort booking
- A bank card or other means of payment
- IMUGA Traveller Declaration for every traveller, submitted within 96 hours before arrival
- Yellow fever certificate, only if it applies to your route
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to apply for a Maldives visa before I travel?
No. Tourists receive a free visa on arrival, as long as they meet the entry requirements set by Maldives Immigration.
How long is the Maldives tourist visa?
Official sources describe it as a free visa of up to 30 days, issued at the airport when you land.
Is the IMUGA Traveller Declaration free?
Yes. Submission on the official IMUGA portal is free. Avoid websites that charge a fee to fill it in for you.
When should I fill in the Traveller Declaration?
Within 96 hours (four days) before you arrive. Each traveller, including children, needs their own declaration.
How long must my passport be valid?
The official minimum is one month with a machine-readable zone. Many travellers keep at least six months as a buffer for airlines and transit countries.
Do I need to show my resort booking at immigration?
You may be asked for it. Keep your confirmed booking, return ticket and declaration confirmation ready in your hand luggage.
