Male Entry Requirements

Male Entry Requirements

Visa, immigration, and customs information

Important Notice Entry requirements can change at any time. Always verify current requirements with official government sources before traveling.
Before you travel: official formalities
  • IMUGA Traveller Declaration

    Who
    All foreigners arriving in the Maldives
    When
    Within 96 hours before arrival
    Cost
    Free

    A free service from Maldives Immigration. Maldives Immigration reports websites charging a fee to submit the declaration. Use only the official IMUGA portal.

    Official site
    Checked against the official source 2026-09-26
Getting into Male, the capital of the Maldives, is straightforward for most visitors. Velana International Airport is the main international gateway, and that's where you'll handle immigration. Every traveler, no matter where you're from, needs to complete an online traveler declaration before you arrive. Most visitors from many countries receive a tourist visa on arrival, though terms vary by passport. Check the official Maldives Immigration website well ahead of your trip. Rules shift. After landing, you'll head through immigration where officers check your passport, your pre-arrival declaration confirmation, and possibly onward travel details. The process moves efficiently, though it bogs down when multiple flights arrive simultaneously. Keep documents organized and within reach. Male sits on its own island, but you'll clear immigration at the airport before catching a speedboat or ferry to the city. Handle all entry paperwork at the terminal. Your passport needs at least six months validity from your entry date into the Maldives. This is non-negotiable. Airlines will likely verify this before boarding. Have proof of confirmed accommodation ready. Immigration officials may request it. They want confirmation you have somewhere to stay during your visit to Male and the wider Maldives.

Visa Requirements

Entry permissions vary by nationality. Find your category below.

The Maldives runs a visa-on-arrival system for tourism at Velana International Airport. Eligibility and permitted stay length depend completely on your nationality. Some passports get longer stays than others. A very small number of nationalities must arrange visas in advance. These details change with bilateral agreements. Check the official Maldives Immigration website. It's the only reliable source.

Visa-Free Entry
The allowed stay varies by nationality. Common durations are 30 days or 90 days.

Passport holders from these countries do not require a prior visa and are granted a visa on arrival.

Includes
United States United Kingdom Canada Australia All European Union member states China India Japan Singapore

The visa on arrival covers tourism only. You need a valid passport, a return or onward ticket, and proof of sufficient funds for your stay.

Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA/eVisa)
This is not a visa. It is a mandatory pre-arrival declaration. Your visa duration is determined by your nationality upon arrival.

All travelers, regardless of nationality, must complete the IMUGA Traveller Declaration online before arrival.

Includes
All foreign nationals
How to Apply: The free declaration must be submitted via the official IMUGA portal within 96 hours before your arrival in the Maldives. Processing is typically instant. Carry a digital or printed copy of the confirmation.
Cost: Free. Note that Maldives Immigration has reported third-party websites charging a fee. Use only the official portal.

This is compulsory for all arriving foreigners. Failure to complete it may cause delays at immigration.

Visa Required
Determined by the issued visa.

Nationalities that must obtain a visa before traveling to the Maldives.

How to Apply: Applicants must contact the Maldives Embassy or Consulate in their home country or a neighboring country that represents Maldives interests. Processing times vary.

This category applies to a limited number of nationalities. Verify your specific requirements with Maldives Immigration or an official diplomatic mission well in advance of travel.

Arrival Process

Upon landing at Velana International Airport, follow signs to immigration. The hall is well-signposted in English. The process involves sequential steps. Officers are generally efficient, though patience helps during peak arrival times. Your immigration interaction happens here at the airport. Not later in Male city.

1
Pre-Arrival Online Declaration
Before your flight, complete the IMUGA Traveller Declaration on the official immigration website. Have the confirmation email or QR code ready to show.
2
Passport Control
Join the queue for foreign passports. Present your passport, the IMUGA declaration confirmation, and your disembarkation card if one is provided on the plane. The officer will stamp your passport with a tourist visa.
3
Baggage Claim
After clearing immigration, proceed to the baggage claim area to collect your luggage.
4
Customs
Walk through the green channel if you have nothing to declare, or the red channel if you have items that exceed duty-free allowances or require declaration.
5
Arrival Hall
Here you'll find currency exchange counters, SIM card vendors, and transport desks to arrange your transfer to Male city or a resort.

Documents to Have Ready

Passport
Must be valid for at least six months from your date of entry. Ensure it has blank pages for the entry stamp.
IMUGA Declaration Confirmation
The digital or printout confirmation from the online pre-arrival declaration. It's checked at passport control.
Onward/Return Ticket
Proof of your intention to leave the Maldives, such as a flight reservation. Immigration may ask to see it.
Proof of Accommodation
A hotel booking confirmation or a letter from your resort host. This confirms you have a place to stay during your visit.
Sufficient Funds
While not always checked, you may be asked to show evidence of enough money for your stay, such as bank statements or cash.

Tips for Smooth Entry

Complete the IMUGA declaration as soon as your flight details are finalized. But within the 96-hour window. Don't leave it for the airport check-in counter.
If you're heading straight to Male city after immigration, have some US dollars or Maldivian rufiyaa for the ferry or speedboat fare from the airport island.
Keep your passport and IMUGA confirmation in a handy, secure pocket of your carry-on to avoid digging through bags at the immigration counter.

Customs & Duty-Free

Customs procedures at Velana International Airport are standard. The Maldives, including Male, is a Muslim country with strict laws prohibiting certain items. Duty-free allowances are designed for personal use only.

Alcohol
None for import.
Leave the duty-free at home. Importing alcohol into the Maldives is prohibited. Alcoholic beverages are available only at licensed resort bars.
Tobacco
200 cigarettes.
Or 25 cigars, or 250 grams of tobacco.
Currency
No limit on foreign currency import.
Amounts exceeding USD 10,000 (or equivalent) must be declared upon arrival.
Gifts/Goods
Reasonable quantity for personal use.
Watch your spending. The total value should not exceed USD 6,000. Items like drones require prior permission.

Prohibited Items

  • Idols of worship - prohibited under Maldivian law
  • Alcohol and pork products - prohibited for import
  • Narcotics and drugs - illegal
  • Pornographic materials - illegal
  • Religious materials offensive to Islam

Restricted Items

  • Prescription medication - should be in original containers with a doctor's note
  • Drones - require prior approval from the Maldives Civil Aviation Authority
  • Animals and pets - require an import permit

Health Requirements

Paperwork is light. There are few formal health document requirements for entry into Male. But sensible precautions are advised.

Required Vaccinations

  • One exception exists. Yellow fever vaccination certificate if arriving from a country with yellow fever risk.

Recommended Vaccinations

  • Routine vaccinations (MMR, diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis)
  • Hepatitis An and Typhoid, given potential food and water exposures

Health Insurance

Buy the insurance. Travel insurance is strongly recommended. Check the current entry rules on the official government website before you travel. Medical facilities in Male are adequate for routine care. But serious conditions often require medical evacuation, which is extremely expensive.

Current Health Requirements: Rules shift fast. Aside from the yellow fever certificate in specific cases, no health documents are currently required for entry. This can change, so it's a good idea to check the Maldives Health Protection Agency website or your home country's travel advisory shortly before departure.

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Important Contacts

Essential resources for your trip.

Embassy/Consulate
Find your country's embassy or consulate
Check your government's travel advisory website
Immigration Authority
Official immigration website
For visa applications and official information
Emergency
Emergency services number
Police, ambulance, fire

Special Situations

Additional requirements for specific circumstances.

Traveling with Children

Kids need papers too. Children under 18 must have their own passport. If traveling with one parent or alone, it's advisable to carry a notarized letter of consent from the non-traveling parent(s) to avoid questions at immigration.

Traveling with Pets

Leave Fido behind. Importing pets is highly restricted and involves quarantine. You must obtain an import permit from the Maldives Food and Drug Authority well in advance. The process is complex and time-consuming.

Extended Stays

Extensions are possible. If you wish to stay longer than your initial visa-on-arrival allows, you can apply for an extension at the Maldives Immigration head office in Male. Extensions are not guaranteed and require a fee, a valid reason, and proof of funds.

Know What to Pack

Climate-specific clothing, travel documents, electronics, and gear, with shopping links for every item.

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