Entry Procedures
Visa and entry requirements depend on the country that issued your passport. The information here is general guidance. Always confirm the requirements for your own nationality with the official source.
This information is for general guidance only. Please verify with the embassy or official government sources before traveling.
Visa Requirements
Types of visas required and their conditions
A free visitor visa, commonly for 30 days, is generally issued on arrival to travelers of most nationalities, and no advance visa is usually needed. Conditions, durations and rules can change, so do not assume firm rules and always check the official Maldives Immigration site before you travel. You typically also complete the IMUGA online traveler declaration before departure and arrival.
- Visa
- On-arrival, often 30 days
- Declaration
- IMUGA online
- Check
- Official Immigration site
- Durations and conditions can change by nationality
- Confirm the latest conditions on the official site
Passport Conditions
Required validity period and blank pages
Your passport should be valid for your intended stay and have blank pages for the entry stamp; many airlines and destinations expect at least six months validity, so keep that as a safe margin. A damaged passport can cause problems at immigration. Keep a copy of the photo page separate from the original, and check the latest requirements as rules can change.
- Validity
- 6 months as safe margin
- Pages
- Blank page for stamp
- Backup
- Keep a copy
- Damaged passports may cause issues at entry
- Store a copy separately from the original
Required Documents & Pre-registration
Arrival cards, health declarations, and other preparations
Immigration commonly asks for a valid passport, an onward or return ticket, confirmed accommodation such as a resort or hotel booking, and proof of sufficient funds for your stay. You typically also complete the IMUGA online traveler declaration within the required window before arrival. Requirements can vary, so check the official Maldives Immigration and IMUGA guidance before you travel.
- Travel
- Onward/return ticket
- Stay
- Booking + funds
- Declaration
- IMUGA online
- Confirmed resort or hotel booking is usually expected
- Complete IMUGA within the required window before arrival
Pre-arrival procedure — IMUGA Traveller Declaration: free, mandatory online self-declaration for all travellers, submitted within 96 hours before your flight time for arrival (and again before departure). The Maldives grants free visa on arrival, but IMUGA is a separate requirement. Use the official IMUGA portal; beware paid look-alike sites.
Official IMUGA (imuga.immigration.gov.mv)- Family name
- SMITH
- First / given name
- MICHAEL
- Nationality
- Your nationality (e.g. UNITED STATES)
- Passport No.
- A1234567
- Date of birth
- 1990-05-20
- Flight No.
- Q2 401
- Date of arrival
- 2026-04-10
- Accommodation in Maldives
- Resort/hotel name & island
How to submit
- 1 Open the official IMUGA portal imuga.immigration.gov.mv and choose the arrival Traveller Declaration.
- 2 Enter passport and personal information.
- 3 Enter travel details and your confirmed accommodation.
- 4 Complete the health part and review all entries.
- 5 Submit and save the QR/confirmation; show it on arrival.
The declaration is free and must be inside the 96-hour window; requirements can change. Confirm the current rules on the official portal before you travel.
Last updated: 2026-08-30
Cash Import Limits
Declaration-free limits and procedures for excess amounts
Large amounts of cash may need to be declared to customs on arrival or departure. The exact declaration threshold can change, so do not assume a fixed figure and confirm the current limit with official Maldives Customs guidance before you travel. Keep records of large sums and any exchange receipts to avoid problems.
- Rule
- Declare large cash
- Threshold
- Confirm official limit
- Records
- Keep receipts
- The declaration threshold can change over time
Duty-Free Allowances & Restricted Items
Limits on tobacco, alcohol, food, and other goods
Personal effects for your trip are usually fine, but the Maldives applies duty-free allowances and restrictions on certain goods, and some items may be taxed or require declaration. Commercial quantities and high-value goods can attract duty. Check the official Maldives Customs allowances before you travel, as limits and lists can change.
- Personal use
- Generally allowed
- Duty
- Commercial goods may be taxed
- Check
- Official allowances
- High-value or commercial quantities may attract duty
Prohibited Items
Items that are strictly forbidden from import
As an Islamic country, the Maldives strictly prohibits importing alcohol, pork and pork products, pornography, and religious idols or images that conflict with Islam. Bringing in alcohol for personal use is not allowed, though resorts serve it to guests. Illegal drugs are banned with severe penalties. Check official Maldives Customs prohibitions carefully before you pack.
- Banned
- Alcohol, pork, idols
- Also banned
- Pornography, drugs
- Resorts
- Alcohol served on-site
- Personal alcohol imports are prohibited; resorts serve it
- Drug offenses carry severe penalties
Medication Import Rules
Rules for bringing prescription and over-the-counter drugs
Bring prescription medicines in their original packaging with a copy of the prescription or a doctor's letter, and carry only the quantity you need for your trip. Some drugs, including certain painkillers and controlled substances, may be restricted or require documentation. Check the official Maldives Customs and health guidance before you travel, as rules can change.
- Packaging
- Original + prescription
- Quantity
- Only what you need
- Check
- Restricted substances
- Controlled substances may require documentation
Vaccinations & Health Requirements
Required and recommended vaccines for entry
No specific vaccinations are generally required for most travelers, but a yellow fever certificate may be required if you are arriving from, or have recently transited, a country with risk of yellow fever transmission. Routine and recommended travel vaccinations are worth discussing with a clinic. Check the latest official health guidance before you travel, as requirements can change.
- Required
- Usually none
- Yellow fever
- If from risk areas
- Advice
- Ask a travel clinic
- Yellow fever proof may be needed if arriving from risk countries
Immigration Process
Step-by-step guide from arrival to clearing immigration
On arrival at Velana International Airport you clear immigration, where officers check your passport, IMUGA declaration and may ask about your accommodation and return travel. After the visa stamp you collect baggage and pass customs. Have your resort or hotel details and IMUGA confirmation ready to speed things up.
- Airport
- Velana International
- Check
- Passport, IMUGA
- Ready
- Accommodation details
- Officers may ask about accommodation and return travel
Tips for Smooth Entry
Practical advice for a hassle-free arrival
Complete the IMUGA online declaration within the required window before departure and arrival to smooth your entry. Arrange your resort or guesthouse transfer, often a speedboat or seaplane, in advance. Respect local customs, dress modestly on inhabited local islands, and remember alcohol is served only at resorts. Keep digital and paper copies of key documents.
- IMUGA
- Submit before travel
- Transfer
- Speedboat or seaplane
- Respect
- Dress modestly locally
- Dress modestly on inhabited local islands
- Alcohol is served only at resorts