Maldives Travel Requirements: Everything You Need To Know Before You Go

To travel to the Maldives, you'll need to meet the country's entry requirements, including having the right travel documents. The Maldives Traveller Declaration is one of the papers you need to visit the country from overseas. It acts as an entry/exit card and gives each passenger permission to enter and leave the country. It's important to note that this is not a visa, and you may or may not need a visa depending on the country's visa policy. All nationalities travelling to the Maldives for tourism can stay in the country for 30 days and are automatically issued a 30-day visa on arrival. If you're visiting for another reason or intending to stay longer, you'll need to obtain a visa.

A negative PCR test, taken within 96 hours of departure, is required for all travellers, regardless of vaccination status

The Maldives is a destination like no other. An archipelago of over 1,000 islands in the Indian Ocean, it offers immaculate beaches, clear blue waters, incredible marine life, and overwater bungalows. To ensure the safety of all visitors, the Health Protection Agency (HPA) has made it a mandatory requirement for all tourists to present a negative PCR test result for Covid-19 on arrival. This rule applies regardless of vaccination status and came into effect on 10 September 2020. The sample for the test must be taken within 96 hours of the scheduled departure time from the first port of embarkation en route to the Maldives.

The PCR test certificate must include the name and address of the laboratory that performed the testing, the result and date of the test, as well as the name and signature of the issuing officer. It must be submitted to Maldives Immigration via the IMUGA platform when filling out the Traveller Health Declaration. It is important to note that providing a negative PCR test result does not exclude travellers from screening or other surveillance measures by airport authorities.

In addition to the PCR test requirement, the Maldives has implemented several other measures to ensure the safety of visitors during the Covid-19 pandemic. These include social distancing, mandatory mask-wearing, hand sanitization, and random sampling on arrivals. The government of the Maldives also requires all tourists to have a confirmed pre-booking at a registered tourist facility and a passport with at least one month's validity from the expected departure date.

It is recommended that travellers follow the guidance of their airline and crew, maintain good hand hygiene, and inform the airline crew immediately if they experience any symptoms while on board. By following these measures and requirements, travellers can help ensure a safe and enjoyable trip to the Maldives.

A Traveller Health Declaration form must be submitted online within 24 hours before arrival

All travellers to the Maldives are required to submit a Traveller Health Declaration form online within 24 hours before their arrival. This mandatory document is required for all nationalities, regardless of their purpose of travel. It serves as an entry/exit card for foreign passengers, giving them permission to enter and leave the country. It is important to note that this declaration is only valid for a single entry/exit, and a separate declaration must be submitted for each journey.

The Traveller Health Declaration form is easily accessible through a simple online form. Once approved, travellers will receive a digital document with a QR code, which serves as proof of their entry/exit card. Upon arrival at Maldivian immigration, individuals must present their passport along with the QR code, which will be checked by a border control officer against their system to confirm the traveller's identity.

It is worth noting that the Traveller Health Declaration is not a visa, and it does not dictate the duration of stay in the Maldives. The amount of time one can stay in the country depends on its visa policy. For instance, tourists are automatically granted a 30-day visa upon arrival. However, for stays exceeding 30 days or visits for other purposes, individuals must obtain a visa for their trip.

A valid passport, with at least six months' validity, is required for entry

A valid passport is one of the most important requirements for travelling to the Maldives. Here are some key points to remember about passport validity:

• Your passport must be valid for at least six months beyond your expected date of departure from the Maldives. This means that when you are planning your trip, you should carefully check the expiry date on your passport and ensure that it meets this requirement.
• The requirement for passport validity is in place to ensure that you have a valid form of identification throughout your stay in the country and to allow for any unexpected delays or changes to your travel plans.
• It is important to note that the six-month validity period is calculated from the date of your expected departure from the Maldives, not from the date of your arrival or the date of issuance of the passport.
• In addition to the validity period, you must also ensure that your passport has at least one blank page for the entry stamp. This is a standard requirement for most countries, including the Maldives, to allow for necessary immigration procedures and documentation.
• It is always a good idea to carry additional copies of your passport or to keep scanned copies securely stored online. This can provide added peace of mind in case your original passport is lost or stolen during your travels.
• Finally, while a valid passport is a crucial requirement, it is not the only document you will need. You will also need to have an onward/return ticket, sufficient funds for your stay, and a completed Traveller Health Declaration (THD) submitted electronically within 96 hours before your travel.

A tourist visa is required for entry, which can be obtained upon arrival for a maximum stay of 30 days

A tourist visa is required for entry to the Maldives. This can be obtained upon arrival and is valid for a maximum stay of 30 days. The visa is free of charge, but you must meet the following requirements to obtain immigration clearance:

• You must have a passport or travel document with a Machine Readable Zone (MRZ) with at least one month's validity.
• You must have a complete travel itinerary, including return tickets, a confirmed hotel booking, and proof of sufficient funds for your stay.
• You must comply with the entry requirements for your onward destination, such as having a valid visa and passport.
• You must fill in and submit a Traveller Declaration form within 96 hours of your flight time.
• If applicable, you must have a Yellow Fever Vaccination Certificate. Children under one year of age are exempt from this requirement.
• Children/minors must have their own passport to enter the Maldives.

Please note that having a complete travel itinerary does not guarantee entry to the Maldives. Entry will be granted at the port of entry after the determination of admissibility by immigration officers.

A confirmed booking at a registered tourist facility is mandatory before entering the Maldives

Requirements to Enter the Maldives

To enter the Maldives, you must have a passport with an 'expiry date' of at least one month after your arrival. Your passport also needs to be in good condition, as a damaged passport may be flagged by immigration.

You will be denied entry if you do not have a valid travel document or if you try to use a passport that has been reported lost or stolen.

Tourists must have a confirmed booking at a registered tourist facility before entering the Maldives. You will get a 30-day tourist visa on arrival.

Tourism is a major industry in the Maldives, with most of the country's islands dedicated to tourist resorts. As such, the Maldivian government requires that all tourists have a confirmed booking at a registered tourist facility before entering the country. This is to ensure that visitors have appropriate accommodations and to facilitate a smooth arrival process.

• It is recommended to book with a reputable travel company or resort specialist, such as Premier Destinations, who can provide unbiased information and assist you in finding the most suitable resort for your dream holiday.
• Book well in advance, especially during the peak season (December to January and March to April) and high season (January to March and April to May). This will increase your chances of securing your preferred resort and room type.
• Consider the meal plan options offered by the resort. Most resorts offer bed and breakfast, while some offer half or full board for an additional charge. If you have special dietary requirements, be sure to inform your travel agent or resort so they can accommodate your needs.
• If you are travelling with children, some resorts may have specific policies or facilities that cater to families. It is important to inform your travel agent about the ages of your children to ensure the resort is suitable and to take advantage of any applicable discounts.
• If you require a wheelchair or have other accessibility needs, please inform your travel agent or the resort directly so they can make the necessary arrangements.
• Be aware of the transfer options and duration to your chosen resort. Transfers are usually made by speedboat, seaplane, or domestic flight, and the cost may be included in your booking or charged separately.
• Read the fine print and understand the cancellation policy before confirming your booking. Unexpected departures or cancellations may result in additional charges.
• Some resorts may require a deposit or charge a non-refundable fee for high/peak season bookings.

Frequently asked questions