Maldives Visa for Indians

The Maldives is renowned for its pristine white-sand beaches, crystal-clear blue waters, and vibrant coral reefs teeming with marine life. Comprising over 1,000 islands, it offers a perfect escape for honeymooners, divers, and sun-seekers alike. Each resort island is a sanctuary of luxury and relaxation, where visitors can indulge in overwater bungalows, spa treatments, and exquisite cuisine amidst breathtaking natural beauty. The Maldives is a bucket-list destination for those seeking serenity and unparalleled natural beauty. Apart from tourism, many Indians visit the country for business opportunities, work, meetings, etc. In this blog, we will discuss various Maldives visa requirements and the visa application process in detail.

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About The Maldives Visa

Maldives is an accessible and welcoming destination for Indian tourists. Before we understand how to apply for a Maldives visa, here are some essential facts about the country.

Category	Information
Country	Maldives
Currency	Maldivian Rufiyaa (MVR)
Time Zone	Maldives Time (MST), UTC+5
Capital City	Malé
Official Languages	Dhivehi
Popular Tourist Destinations	Male, Maafushi, Hulhumalé, Ari Atoll, Baa Atoll
Visa Application Method	Visa on arrival/Online

Features of a Maldives Visa

Visa On Arrival: The Maldives offers visas to individuals of all nationalities upon arrival. Indians who follow the basic entry requirements can get their visa after reaching The Maldives. You can get a tourist visa and a meeting visa on arrival.
Travel Declaration: Tourists travelling to The Maldives have to submit a travel declaration within 96 hours of the flight time. It can be filed electronically through the IMUGA website.

The Documents Required for Maldives Visa

Documentation is an essential aspect of the Maldives visa application process. The requirements for each visa type are generally different.

Maldives Tourist Visa
The Maldives issues tourist visa on arrival to Indians. However, you must submit the following documents during immigration.

Document Required	Description
Passport or Travel Document	Must have Machine Readable Zone (MRZ) and at least 1 month validity beyond the intended stay. Passports with extended validity are not accepted.
Travel Itinerary	Complete itinerary, confirmed return journey tickets, confirmed hotel booking paid in advance
Proof of Financial Means	Evidence of having sufficient funds to cover expenses during the stay in The Maldives. Alternatively, hold a recognised sponsorship.
Entry Requirements for Onward Destinations	Ensure compliance with visa and passport validity requirements for onward travel destinations.
Traveller Declaration Form	Mandatory form to be filed electronically via the IMUGA portal. You can submit it in 96 hours before your flight.

Documents Required for Maldives Meeting Visa

Are you planning to visit The Maldives for business meetings or conferences? You can get a Meeting Visa on arrival, subject to the following entry requirements.

Document Required	Description
Purpose of Visit Document	Documentation proving attendance at a business meeting, conference, or convention approved by the Registrar of Businesses or a government authority in The Maldives.
Travel Itinerary	Complete itinerary with confirmed return journey tickets. Must also include a confirmed hotel booking paid in advance.
Proof of Financial Means	Evidence of having sufficient funds to cover expenses during the stay in The Maldives.
Traveller Declaration Form	Mandatory form to be filed electronically via the IMUGA portal. You can submit it in 96 hours before your flight.
Passport or Travel Document	Must have Machine Readable Zone (MRZ) and at least 1 month validity beyond the intended stay. Passports with extended validity are not accepted.
Entry Rules for Onward Destinations	Ensure compliance with visa requirement and passport rules.

Documents Required for Maldives Work Visa

You must apply for a Work Visa, in advance, through the designated visa portal. Here's a list of documents you must submit.

Document Required	Description
Passport of the Employee	Must be valid and have at least 1 year of validity beyond the intended stay in The Maldives.
Passport Size Photo	Recent photo meeting The Maldives visa photo requirements.
Medical Screening Report	Required if specified by the relevant government authority, issued by an authorised Hospital/Clinic.
Passport Bio-data Page Copy (MRZ)	Copy of the machine-readable bio-data page of the passport with at least 1 year of validity remaining.
Valid Entry Pass	Entry permit not exceeding 90 days from the date of arrival.
Traveler Declaration	Mandatory electronic submission via the IMUGA portal maximum before 96 hours prior to departure from the first port of embarkation.
IM29 Form Submission Receipt	Receipt generated from Xpat System confirming submission of IM29 form.

Documents Required for Maldives Marriage Visa

If your spouse is a Maldivian national or you are planning to marry a Maldivian national, you can visit them via a Marriage Visa. Here's a list of papers required for the visa.

Document Required	Description
Application for Permit Extension Form (IM23)	Stamped by the family court indicating the application for a marriage visa extension.
Passport Biodata Page Copy	Include the biodata page of your passport.
Last Arrival Stamp	Mandatory for those arriving to register their marriage for the first time.
Last Page of visa	If you have a Maldives visa, submit a copy of the last page.
Marriage Certificate	Marriage certificate proving the marital status.
ID of Maldivian Spouse	National ID of the spouse.
Photos as per Maldives visa photo requirements	Recent photo adhering to The Maldives visa photo requirements
Health Report	Report from an authorised Hospital/Clinic if it is your first application.
Health and Travel Insurance	Mandatory if it is your first application, covering health-related expenses.

Documents Required for Maldives Dependent Visa

Those applying for a Dependent Visa need to submit the following documents.

Document Required	Description
Work Visa	A valid work visa.
Proof of Relationship	Document proving relationship with dependents such as marriage certificate.
Medical Screening Report	Required from authorised hospital/clinic
Health/Travel Insurance	Mandatory for fresh applications and extensions, covering health expenses.
Last Page of visa (if applicable)	The last page if you had a visa.
Last Visa Issued	For renewal applications
Application Form (IM30)	Required for applicants from high-risk countries, providing additional information.
Fees	Fee for the dependent visa card.
Dependent Visa Fee	Visa fee payable for every 3 months of stay under the dependent visa.

ocuments Required for Maldives Business Visa

Here's the list of documents you must submit for a business visa to The Maldives:

Document Required	Description
Passport Bio Data Page Copy	Clear colour copy of the passport's bio-data page, with validity exceeding 6 months from the intended date of entry.
Letter Stating Purpose of Visit	Official letter detailing the purpose of the business visit to The Maldives.
Entry and Exit Page (if applicable)	Proof of previous travel to The Maldives within the current calendar year.
Passport Size Digital Photo	Recent colour photo meeting the standards set by The Maldives' Immigration.
Travel and Health Insurance	A valid insurance policy issued by a licensed company, covering both travel and health aspects, and must be in English.

Maldives Visa Types

Before you pack your bags for The Maldives, it's important to know about the different Maldives visa types. Here's a summary of various visa types along with the essential information about them.

Maldives Visa Types	Description	Maximum stay permitted
Meeting Visa	For attending conferences, meetings, or conventions approved by relevant authorities in The Maldives.	14 days
Work Visa	Issued for employment purposes, allowing foreign nationals to work legally in The Maldives.	15 days from the date of arrival
Tourist Visa	Enables visitors to explore The Maldives for leisure and recreational purposes.	90 days
Marriage visa	Allows spouses of Maldivian nationals to extend their stay for marital purposes.	1 year
Dependant visa	Granted to dependents of expatriates working in The Maldives, facilitating family reunification.	Not mentioned
Business visa	Required for individuals conducting business activities such as meetings, negotiations, or exploratory visits in The Maldives.	180 days within a period of 12 months

Visa Guide

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Who Can Apply for a Maldives Visa?

Any Indian citizen fulfilling the following criteria can apply for a Maldives visa:

Individuals visiting The Maldives for tourism, business, meetings, work, study, marriage, or other valid travel purposes.
Holders of a valid Indian passport with at least 6 months validity from the arrival date.
Individuals with confirmed hotel accommodation in The Maldives.
Indian citizens with evidence of having sufficient funds to stay in The Maldives.
Individuals who have other entry documents that are required for their respective visa type.

How to Apply for a Maldives Visa?

Maldives offers tourist visas and meeting visas on arrival. For other visa types, you must follow the proper procedure.

Here are the steps explaining how to apply for A Maldives visa:

Choose the Right Portal: Determine the appropriate online portal based on your visa type:
- Xpat Online System: For work visas and dependent visas.
- IMUGA Portal: For marriage visas.
- Business Portal of the Ministry of Economic Development: for business visas.
Register or Log In: Create an account or log in to the selected portal.
Fill Out Application Form: Complete the visa application form with accurate personal information, the purpose of the visit, and other required details.
Upload Documents: Scan and upload all necessary documents, including passport copy, photo, travel itinerary, proof of accommodation, financial means, health insurance, and any specific documents required for your visa type.
Submit Application: Review all information entered and documents uploaded. Submit your application through the portal.
Wait for Processing: Allow time for your visa application to be processed by the Maldives Immigration.

Maldives Visa Fees

Indians do not need to pay any visa fees for any visa type to The Maldives. Visa fees are payable for Work Visas, but they are paid by your employer in The Maldives.

How to Check Maldives Visa Status?

If you are visiting The Maldives for tourism, you can instantly get a visa on arrival. However, if you are applying for any other visa, follow the steps below:

Visit the website through which you applied for the visa.
Log in to your account.
Check your Maldives visa status.

FAQs

Q: Do I need to apply for a tourist visa before visiting The Maldives?

Ans: No, Indians get a visa on arrival in Maldives. However, you must fill out a travel declaration form online before visiting the country.
Q: How long can I stay in The Maldives as a tourist with an on-arrival visa?

Ans: You can stay in Maldives for 90 days with the visa that you receive upon arrival in Maldives.
Q: Can I get a visa on arrival for a business trip to Maldives?

Ans: No, for business visits you must apply for a Maldives visa through the Business Portal of the Ministry of Economic Development.
Q: Is a Maldives visa from India free of cost?

Ans: Yes, Indian nationals can get all visa types free, except an Employment visa. However, your employer pays the fees for this visa.
Q: Do I need travel insurance to visit the Maldives?

Ans: You need travel insurance for certain visa types, such as a Dependent visa and Marriage visa, to the Maldives.

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