Maldives Visa Guide: Eligibility, Documents & Process for Indians

About Maldives

The Maldives is a unique country in the Indian Ocean as almost all of the territory of the nation is water. Maldives is a chain of small islands that is famous for its beaches and a fabulous cultural mix of different traditions.

Majority of the tourists visit maladies to enjoy the serenity of nature away from the humdrum of city life. The waters in and around Maldives are unique as they offer a distinct blend of marine flora and fauna. You could get a glimpse of the breathtaking and magnificent coral reefs or you can witness the majestic marine fauna. Maldives home to 21 different species of whales and dolphins. Maldives is also turning into a popular spot adventure sport enthusiasts. There are various activities like snorkelling, diving, Jet Skis, Kayaking, Kite Surfing, and Water Skiing among others that are bound to offer a good experience. Maldives is fast becoming a popular destination for surfing. Hanifaru Bay and Baa Atoll are one of the famous sites for marine sites which are also a great gathering of Manta rays. Finolhu is a glitzy party island, where you can enjoy live music. Dhidhdhoo Beyru is the best place to swim with whales and sharks.

Why is a Maldives Visa needed?

The applicant will be issued the Maldives Tourist Visa on arrival for visiting the place for minimum 30 days which can be extended for sixty days on request. For other categories, the applicant would be required to apply beforehand and get the things done before arriving at the Maldives.

Maldives Visa Application Process

How to Apply for Maldives Visa:

Maldives Visa for Indians no pre-arrival visa is required. But the applicant must have a valid passport with minimum six months validity and which should be Machine Readable Zone. A thirty days visa would be granted to the person who would be having the return ticket and could take care of the expenses for their stay in the Maldives. An applicant can get sixty days extension on request.

But to receive a work permit in the Maldives applicant need to complete the work permit form beforehand.

Generally, it would take 30 minutes to 40 minutes of a wait depending upon the queue. And if you have all the necessary documents you can easily pass through this.

Where to Apply for Maldives Visa for Indians?

To submit your applications, you might visit any of the below address:

Maldives Visa Documents Requirements

Maldives Visa requirements are:

• Passport Photo Size 35mm*44mm
• Confirmed reservation document for your stay
• Valid Two-Way tickets
• Passport which will be valid for six months from the date of submission
• Thirty days visa might not be claimed to the applicant directly, depending on the discretion of the immigration.

Maldives Visa Eligibility Requirements

• Maldives Tourist Visa: This type of visa is given to those who are just on a visit to the place for 30 days and don't seek employment.

• T1: This visa type is for the foreign visitors who do not gain any profit in the city and wish to stay there for 30 days, and they can extend their visa on request for 90 days.

Documents Required:

• Application Form
• Passport Size Photo
• Passport
• Return Ticket
• Sponsorship Declaration
• Health Insurance

• E1: This type of Maldives Tourist Visa applies to the foreigners of countries where Maldivian government has a bilateral agreement.

Documents Required:

• Application Form
• Passport
• Passport Size photo
• Health Insurance

• Maldives Diplomatic Visa: This visa allows the foreign government official to engage in duties or activities on behalf of the national government.

• Diplomatic Visa (D1): To stay in the Maldives for some time granted to a foreign national, whom the Government of Maldives take in as an entitled diplomatic immunity pursuant. A person can be allowed a maximum of 3 years for this type.

Document Required:

• Application Form endorsed by the Embassy and Ministry of Foreign Affairs/High Commission
• Passport size photo
• Valid Diplomatic Passport

• Diplomatic Family Visa (D11): It is granted to the immediate family of a Diplomatic Visa holder. The maximum period for this visa is three years.

Documents Required:

• Application Form endorsed by the Embassy and Ministry of Foreign Affairs/High Commission
• Passport Size Photo
• Valid Diplomatic Visa

• Non-Diplomatic Visa (D2): This visa is issued to employees of foreign missions based in the Maldives which does not have diplomatic immunity.

This visa can be applied to a maximum for three years.

Documents Required:

• Application Form which has to be endorsed by the relevant High Commission/Embassy and Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
• Passport
• Passport Size photo

• Non-Diplomatic Family Visa (D21): This visa is issued to the immediate family of a Non-Diplomatic Visa holder. With the maximum validity of three years.

Documents Required:

• Passport
• Passport Size Photo
• Application form which should be endorsed by relevant high commission/Embassy and Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

• Maldives Student Visa (S1): It is issued to the person seeking education in the place and might be granted for one academic year.

Documents Required:

• Application Form
• Passport Size Photo
• Passport
• Health Insurance
• Letter From registered College
• Medical Report

• Maldives Business Visa: This category of visa is permitted to person with the purpose of engaging in business or professional work in the Maldives.

Documents Required:

• Application Form
• Registration Copy from the Association
• Passport
• Qualification Certificates
• Health Insurance
• Application Form

• Security Screening Of NGO volunteers
• Security Screening Foreign Journalism or Media

• Maldives Dependent Visa (A11): This visa is granted to the person who is an immediate family of Maldives holding a professional category visa. It is valid till the validity of the specific work visa.

Documents Required:

• Application Form
• Passport
• Passport Size photo
• Valid work visa / Employment Approval (Copy)
• Marriage certificate
• If Children (Birth Certificate)
• Health Insurance
• Medical Report

• Maldives Work Visa: This category of visa is permitted to the person who is indulging in work approved by the Maldives government.

Documents Required:

• Application form

• Maldives Resident Visa :

• B1: It is granted to the person married to a Maldivian nationalist, and this would be allowed for a maximum one year.

Documents Required:

• Application Form endorsed by Family court
• Passport
• Valid Passport
• Health Insurance
• Medical Report

• CR: This is granted to the investors with a minimum of USD 50 is invested in the Maldives or else deposit of USD 1 million at Maldivian Bank for minimum two years or invested USD 1 million in a real estate which should be approved by the government authorities. This visa would be granted for five years.

Documents Required:

• Tourism-related Investors have to submit the details to the Ministry of Tourism
• Non-Tourism related investments should provide all the data to the Ministry of Economic Development

• Maldives Special Visa (N1): Visa issued to the foreign national who is visiting the Maldives for purposes which might be one of these:

• Humanitarian Work
• Parents of a Maldivian Citizen
• Volunteer of the Government project
• Medical Treatment
• Organising Social, Cultural or Economic programs
• Sports activities(Approved by Sports Association)

Documents Required:

• Application Form
• Passport
• Passport Size Photo
• Letter from Relevant Government Authority

Maldives Visa Fees

Maldives Visa Cost

Tourist Visa:

For the permit as stipulated it would be Ruffiya 750 for every three months or part of it.

Student Visa:

Ruffiya 300 for every three months or part of it.

Business Visa:

For every three months or part of it would be Ruffiya 750.

Dependent Visa:

Ruffiya 750 for every three months or part of it.

Work Visa:

It would be granted only if a sum of Ruffiya 250/per month is paid to an authority specified by the government.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here is a list of commonly asked questions while applying for visa.

How can I commute between places in the Maldives?

As a tourist, you can go for various options like:

Seaplane: Which can be Maldivian Air Taxi or Trans Maldivian Airways which can carry 15 passengers but these are not available at night.

Ferry: The best options for tourists having a limited budget but these are of no use after dark.

Taxi: This might be available late at night, but they are only in Male and Addu.

Speedboat: For the travellers who love adventure can check this one out.

Yacht: If budget is the last thing on your list you should go for this one. You can rent a private yacht here.

Dhoni: Locals use this mode for travelling and can be a good option for island hopping.

Bus: This might be a cheaper option, but they operate on specific routes. Avoid it if you have too many carry bags.

Cycle: The best way to explore a place you can get these at your resorts also.

What is the reason for asking health insurance in some categories of Visa?

There might be conditions where a disease might travel through you or to you so to secure your trip you might want to get covered up in such cases. To have a safe journey you can enrol for health insurance here.

Which is the safest way to travel without worrying about my trip to the Maldives?

As you might not be aware of the place and reading about it online may leave you worried about your safety and your luggage too. So, to keep all of it save you can take up the ICICI Lombard General Insurance Travel insurance here.

What are the reasons that I may not get thirty days Maldives Visa?

You might not get thirty days visa if you are unable to take care of your expenses or you don't have a passport with minimum validity of six months, or you might have some issue with the application form.

What is the process if I want to extend my travel?

You need to pay a visit to the Department of Immigration and Emigration, near Jumhoree Maidan in Male. Fill out the Permit Extension form. And fulfil the requirements for the same.

Is there any chance that I can apply Maldives Visa Online?

As the process doesn’t require a visa before you arrive at the place so you can’t Maldives Visa Online instead get it on the airport with your valid passport and all your bookings for the site and your return ticket.

Is it necessary to take travel insurance?

It is always recommendable for you to take travel insurance for every trip, regardless of destination. It is most recommended for international trips to ensure that you never face problems if facing an emergency in an unknown country. Furthermore, you can visit ICICI Lombard General Insurance to create your own customised travel insurance policy based on the nature of your travel.