Male Entry Requirements
Visa, immigration, and customs information
Visa Requirements
Entry permissions vary by nationality. Find your category below.
The Maldives offers one of the world's most liberal visa policies for tourism, granting free 30-day visa-on-arrival to all nationalities without prior application, provided travelers meet standard entry requirements.
All nationalities receive a free 30-day tourist visa upon arrival at Velana International Airport
No advance application required. Visa is granted free of charge at the airport. Must have valid passport with 6+ months validity, confirmed accommodation, return/onward ticket, and proof of sufficient funds (USD 100 + USD 50 per day recommended). Visa is for tourism purposes only.
Tourist visa can be extended beyond initial 30 days
Cost: Approximately USD 750 for 60-day extension (fees subject to change)
Must apply before current visa expires. Overstaying results in fines of USD 100 per day. Extensions are discretionary and not guaranteed.
Long-term visas for employment, business, or residence
Tourist visa-on-arrival cannot be converted to work visa. Must apply from home country or leave Maldives and apply properly. Work permits issued separately by Ministry of Economic Development.
Arrival Process
The entry process at Velana International Airport is streamlined for tourists. Most travelers clear immigration within 30-60 minutes, though peak season arrivals may experience longer waits. The process involves document checks, biometric data collection, and customs clearance.
Documents to Have Ready
Tips for Smooth Entry
Customs & Duty-Free
The Maldives enforces strict customs regulations reflecting Islamic law and environmental protection policies. Alcohol, pork products, and religious materials for proselytizing are strictly prohibited. Customs officers conduct thorough inspections, including x-ray screening and physical bag checks.
Prohibited Items
- Alcoholic beverages and liquor - Strictly prohibited under Islamic law
- Pork and pork products - Prohibited under Islamic law, includes lard and gelatin
- Narcotics and illegal drugs - Severe penalties including long prison sentences
- Pornographic materials - Including magazines, videos, and digital content
- Religious materials for proselytizing - Bibles, religious texts for distribution
- Idols and religious sculptures - For worship purposes
- E-cigarettes and vaping devices - Banned since 2016, will be confiscated
- Firearms and weapons - Including replicas and decorative items
- Explosives and fireworks - Including flares and ammunition
- Spear guns - Prohibited to protect marine life
- Dogs - Prohibited except certified service dogs with advance approval
- Drones - Require special permit from Ministry of Defense (rarely granted to tourists)
Restricted Items
- Medications - Prescription drugs allowed with doctor's letter and prescription. Controlled substances require prior approval from Maldives Food and Drug Authority. Carry in original packaging.
- Pets (except dogs) - Cats and other pets require import permit, health certificate, rabies vaccination certificate, and quarantine arrangements. Apply at least 30 days before travel.
- Plants and seeds - Require phytosanitary certificate and import permit from Ministry of Fisheries and Agriculture
- Marine products - Shells, coral, and turtle products require CITES permit. Protected species strictly prohibited.
- Professional photography/video equipment - Commercial equipment may require temporary import permit and customs bond
- Religious items for personal use - Allowed in reasonable quantities for private worship only, not for distribution
- Satellite phones - Require approval from Maldives Communications Authority
Health Requirements
The Maldives has specific health requirements for entry, primarily focused on preventing the introduction of infectious diseases. Requirements vary based on traveler's origin and transit countries.
Required Vaccinations
- Yellow Fever - Required ONLY if arriving from or transiting through yellow fever endemic countries (parts of Africa and South America). Certificate must be presented at immigration. Exemptions for airport transits under 12 hours where passenger doesn't leave airport.
- Polio - May be required for travelers from polio-endemic countries. Check current WHO list and Maldives requirements before travel.
Recommended Vaccinations
- Hepatitis A - Recommended for all travelers due to potential food/water contamination
- Hepatitis B - Recommended for travelers who may have intimate contact with locals or require medical treatment
- Typhoid - Recommended, especially if visiting local islands or eating outside resorts
- Routine vaccinations - Ensure up-to-date with MMR, DPT, chickenpox, polio, and annual flu vaccine
- Japanese Encephalitis - Generally not required for typical resort stays
- Rabies - Consider for extended stays, adventure travelers, or those working with animals
Health Insurance
Travel health insurance is strongly recommended but not mandatory for entry. Medical facilities in Maldives are limited, with only basic services available in Male. Serious medical conditions require evacuation to India, Sri Lanka, or Singapore, costing USD 50,000-100,000+. Ensure insurance covers: medical treatment, emergency evacuation, repatriation, and hyperbaric chamber treatment (for diving accidents). Many resorts have doctors, but services are expensive for uninsured travelers. Keep insurance documents accessible and inform your insurer immediately of any medical issues.
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Special Situations
Additional requirements for specific circumstances.
Children of all ages require valid passports (no exceptions). Minors traveling without both parents should carry: notarized letter of consent from absent parent(s), birth certificate copy, and custody documents if applicable. Single parents should carry child's birth certificate. Unaccompanied minors (under 18) require special arrangements with airline and written consent from both parents plus receiving party details in Maldives. Some resorts have age restrictions - verify before booking. Children receive same 30-day visa-on-arrival as adults. Ensure children's passports have 6+ months validity.
Dogs are PROHIBITED in Maldives (except certified service dogs with advance approval from Ministry of Fisheries). Cats and other pets require: import permit from Ministry of Fisheries and Agriculture (apply 30+ days before travel), health certificate issued within 7 days of travel, rabies vaccination certificate (at least 30 days but not more than 12 months old), veterinary certificate of good health, microchip implantation record. Quarantine may be required. Pets not allowed on resort islands without resort permission. Process is complex and expensive - strongly discouraged for tourist visits. Contact Maldives High Commission/Embassy in your country for detailed procedures.
Tourist visa can be extended up to 90 days total (initial 30 days + 60-day extension). Apply at Immigration headquarters in Male before initial visa expires. Requirements: valid passport, confirmed accommodation for extended period, proof of sufficient funds (bank statements), return ticket dated within extension period, completed application form, passport photos, extension fee (~USD 750 for 60 days). Extensions granted at discretion of Immigration - not guaranteed. For stays beyond 90 days, must leave Maldives and re-enter (visa run) or apply for different visa category. Overstaying results in USD 100/day fine plus potential ban. Work or business activities prohibited on tourist visa.
Media professionals require special accreditation from Ministry of Youth, Sports and Community Empowerment before arrival. Tourist visa does not permit journalistic activities. Apply at least 30 days before travel with: detailed itinerary, letter from media organization, purpose of visit, equipment list. Unauthorized journalism can result in deportation. Filming drones requires separate permit from Ministry of Defense (rarely approved). Social media influencers conducting commercial activities should declare purpose and may need accreditation.
Visitors coming for medical treatment should obtain medical visa through sponsoring hospital/clinic in Maldives. Tourist visa acceptable for short treatments. Carry: doctor's referral letter, medical records, appointment confirmation from Maldivian facility, proof of payment/insurance. Major medical facilities in Male only. Inform immigration of medical purpose. Medical visa allows extensions if treatment requires longer stay.
Cruise passengers receive shore pass (not full visa) for duration of ship's stay in port, typically 12-24 hours. Passport must have 6+ months validity. Ship handles immigration formalities. Passengers must return to ship - cannot remain in Maldives after ship departs without proper visa. Some cruise lines offer pre-clearance. If planning to stay in Maldives after cruise, arrange proper visa and inform ship and immigration in advance.
Passengers transiting through Velana International Airport without leaving airport don't need visa. If staying in airport transit area under 24 hours, no visa required. To leave airport and visit Male during layover, must obtain standard 30-day visa-on-arrival (free) with all required documents. Some airlines offer free accommodation for long layovers - check with carrier. Transit hotels available near airport.
Use same passport for entire journey (entry and exit). Maldives doesn't recognize dual citizenship for Maldivians, but foreign dual citizens can enter on either passport if both valid. Recommended to use passport with longest validity and best visa-free access for onward travel. Ensure passport used for entry has return ticket matching that nationality.