Can you get a visa on arrival in Maldives? For eligible nationalities you can, without applying in advance. This 2026 guide covers who qualifies, the fee to bring, the documents to have ready and how the counter process works.
Maldives visa at a glance
| Visa required? | Yes, for many nationalities |
|---|---|
| Main visa type | Free visa on arrival (all nationalities) |
| Government fee | Free (US$0) |
| Processing time | Immediate on arrival |
| Validity | Issued on arrival at Velana International Airport |
| Permitted stay | 30 days |
| Where to apply | https://imuga.immigration.gov.mv |
| HolidaySG assistance fee | S$65 per applicant (usually S$100) |
Maldives visa on arrival at a glance
- Who it is for: All nationalities including Indian and Singapore passport holders
- Fee at the counter: Free (US$0)
- Permitted stay: 30 days
- Validity: Issued on arrival at Velana International Airport
How visa on arrival works
- Before you fly, confirm your nationality is eligible and your passport has six months' validity.
- Carry the exact fee (Free (US$0)) — cash in an accepted currency is safest.
- Bring a passport photo, return/onward ticket and proof of accommodation.
- Complete the arrival/landing card and queue at the visa-on-arrival counter before immigration.
- Pay, receive the sticker or stamp, then clear immigration.
What to have ready at the counter
- Passport valid at least 1 month beyond stay (6 months recommended)
- Confirmed onward/return ticket
- Confirmed hotel/accommodation booking
- Proof of sufficient funds
- Completed IMUGA Traveller Declaration
Common mistakes, delays and rejection reasons
From handling Maldives visa applications, these are the issues that most often cause delays or refusals. Avoiding them is the single biggest thing you can control:
- Passport validity: many countries require at least six months' validity beyond your travel dates — renew early if yours is close.
- Insufficient proof of funds: bank statements that are too thin, too new, or not in your name are a common reason for delays. Show a stable balance over the last 3–6 months.
- Photo specification errors: wrong size, background colour, glasses or a smile can bounce an application. Follow the exact spec for Maldives.
- Applying too late: submit well before departure — allow the full processing window plus a buffer, not the minimum.
- Mismatched documents: names, dates and passport numbers must match exactly across your form, flight and hotel bookings.
- Weak ties to your home country: employment letters, leave approval and return bookings help show you intend to return.
- Prior overstays or refusals: declare them honestly; hiding history causes more problems than the history itself.
- Forgetting the arrival card: IMUGA Traveller Declaration — mandatory & free within 96 h before arrival — imuga.immigration.gov.mv — complete it in the correct window or you can be delayed at the border.
Before you travel to Maldives
- Arrival card / declaration: IMUGA Traveller Declaration — mandatory & free within 96 h before arrival — imuga.immigration.gov.mv
- Onward or return ticket: carry proof — airlines and immigration can ask for it.
- Funds: have evidence of enough money for your stay (card and some MVR (Maldivian Rufiyaa)).
- Travel insurance: strongly recommended, and mandatory for some destinations.
- Copies: keep a digital and paper copy of your visa/approval and passport photo page.
Things to do once your Maldives visa is sorted
Popular experiences in Maldives you can book on HolidaySG:
- Maldives Day Tour from Hulhumale — from SGD 312
- Male Island Hopping Tour — from SGD 211
- Malé Local Food Tour — from SGD 88
- Sandbank, Snorkeling, and Sunset Cruise Experience in Hulhumale — from SGD 183
- The Original Villimale Eco Walking Tour — from SGD 81
Official sources
- Maldives Immigration — verified 19 August 2026
Last updated 20 August 2026. Written and reviewed by the HolidaySG visa team and checked against the official sources above (facts verified 19 August 2026). Visa rules change and depend on your passport, residence and purpose of travel — always confirm with the official source before booking, or use our visa checker. HolidaySG re-confirms current requirements at the time of your application.