What must a tourist prepare for arrival in the Maldives?

A tourist normally needs a passport valid for at least one month, a return or onward ticket, a confirmed booking at a registered facility, sufficient funds or approved sponsorship, and a free Traveller Declaration submitted through IMUGA within 96 hours before arrival. A Tourist Visa On Arrival normally requires no prior visa application, but admission remains subject to the immigration officer's decision.

How does arrival at Velana International Airport work for an international visitor to the Maldives?

The usual sequence is immigration clearance, baggage collection, customs inspection and onward transfer. The visitor then continues by speedboat, seaplane, domestic flight or selected public ferry service, depending on the island, provider, timetable and weather.

What goods and cash must a person declare during arrival in the Maldives?

Cash or monetary instruments worth USD 10,000 or more must be declared to Customs. Alcohol, pork products, weapons, ammunition, explosives, chemicals and certain animals or plants require permits or special controls, while narcotics, vapes and e-cigarettes, pornographic material, idols, pigs and materials contrary to Islam are prohibited.

What documents does a worker or dependent need for arrival and initial settlement in the Maldives?

A worker needs a valid Entry Pass, or Work Permit, on arrival, and the employer or authorised representative must obtain the Work e-Visa within 15 days after entry. A dependent needs an approved Sponsorship Declaration before travel, followed by a Dependent Visa after arrival, proof of the family relationship, a medical report and expatriate health insurance.

Arrival in Maldives

Arrival in the Maldives differs for tourists, workers and dependents. Tourists normally need a passport valid for at least one month, a confirmed return ticket, a booking at a registered facility, sufficient funds or approved sponsorship, and a free Traveller Declaration, an online arrival form submitted through IMUGA within 96 hours before arrival. Velana International Airport (VIA) is the main international gateway, while onward travel to resort and local islands depends on the destination, provider, weather and timetable.

Tip

Treat arrival in the Maldives as a linked document, admission and transfer plan. Match your preparation to your status as a tourist, worker or dependent, and confirm the final island connection before travel. Keep every confirmation available because admission, customs clearance, weather and onward transport can each change the plan.

byAishath&Mohamed

Tourists generally receive a Tourist Visa On Arrival without applying for pre-approval. Entry still depends on the immigration officer's decision, and complete travel documents do not guarantee admission. The passport must normally be machine-readable and valid for at least one month. Each traveller, including a child or minor, submits the Traveller Declaration through the official IMUGA portal within 96 hours before arrival. The declaration is free. A confirmed return or onward ticket, a prepaid booking at a registered resort, hotel, guesthouse or liveaboard, and sufficient funds are normally required unless approved sponsorship covers the stay. A Yellow Fever certificate may be required after arrival from or recent transit through a risk country; children under one year are exempt. Israeli passports have not been accepted for entry since 15 April 2025. Workers need a valid Entry Pass, also called a Work Permit, when they arrive. The employer or an authorised representative must obtain the Work e-Visa within 15 days after entry. A dependent normally needs an approved Sponsorship Declaration before travel, with at least seven working days allowed for approval, followed by a Dependent Visa after arrival. The application requires proof of the family relationship, a medical report and expatriate health insurance. The Dependent Visa fee is MVR 750. At VIA, the usual sequence is immigration clearance, baggage collection, customs inspection and onward transfer. Incoming passengers and baggage may be inspected. Alcohol, pork and pork products, dogs or dangerous animals, CITES-listed plants or animals, weapons, ammunition, explosives and chemicals require permits or special controls. Materials contrary to Islam, narcotics and psychotropic substances, vapes and e-cigarettes, pornographic material, idols and pigs are prohibited. Cash or monetary instruments worth USD 10,000 or more must be declared to Customs. Personal-use goods valued up to MVR 10,000 may qualify for duty exemption under applicable rules. The final transfer depends on the island. Speedboats commonly serve nearby destinations. Seaplanes use Noovilu Seaplane Terminal, and domestic flights serve more remote islands. MTCC public ferries operate on selected connections. Providers set fares and schedules, and weather or the last connection of the day can affect travel. A resort island and a local island have different access arrangements, services and local expectations. The resort, guesthouse, employer, sponsor or local council usually provides practical arrival information. The Maldives has no evidenced nationwide registration or municipal registration office equivalent to a general residents' registration system. Health access also depends on the island: health centres, regional or atoll hospitals, tertiary facilities and emergency services do not provide the same level of care everywhere. Immigration can be reached at 1434, Customs at +960 3322001, Police at 119, Ambulance and EMS at 102, and MTCC at 1650. Keep the passport, booking, declaration confirmation, sponsorship or work documents and transfer details available throughout the journey.