Want to see a place where white powder sand lies against the crystal clear water? If so, then the Maldives would be the best place to witness the glory of the islands.
Moreover, it is a popular destination for travelers from India. This is due to the close ties between both countries and the ever-increasing number of Indian travelers moving to the target state.
Therefore, please read the article till the end as it will highlight the documents required for Maldives visa for Indians. Besides, different types of visas are available for your trip to Maldives. For example, this may include a tourist, business, work, marriage, and dependent visa.
Do Indian Citizens Need a Visa When Traveling to Maldives?
Indian citizens can travel to Maldives for short-term or tourism purposes without a visa. After landing in the target country, they can apply for a visa on arrival and enjoy their stay for thirty days (one month).
A visa on arrival for tourism purposes will help you explore the beauty and islands of Maldives without prior paperwork.
Moreover, as per the rules of the Maldives Immigration, a visa on arrival can be extended for an additional 60 days (two months). However, make sure that you start the visa extension process at least 2 days earlier before your current visa expires.
If your purpose of visiting Maldives is not sightseeing or tourism, you have to apply for a specific visa to enter the country legally such as a business or dependent visa.
General Information About Maldives Visa
A Maldives visa allows Indian citizens to enter and stay in the country for a specified period. It is an official approval from the government that permits foreigners to travel to another land.
Therefore, make sure that you know the following details before applying for a Maldives visa.
- Other than a tourist/visit visa, Indians are required to apply for a visa considering the purpose of traveling to Maldives.
- Moreover, you can visit Maldives as a tourist on a visa on arrival. The maximum duration of the stay is 90 days (30 days initial and 60 days after extension). Besides, it is necessary to have a confirmed hotel booking.
- The Maldives Immigration allows passengers traveling to the country on business visas or on duty to get a visa on arrival. For this purpose, they must have an application form approved by the relevant authority.
- Furthermore, as per the latest information from the Controller General of Immigration, the citizens of Maldives, when entering or leaving the country by air, are not required to submit the Online Traveler Declaration Form. Alternatively, it is known as ‘the electronic Embarkation/Disembarkation card of the Maldives’.
- You must have at least 100 dollars per day to manage your stay. However, this does not apply to passengers who have a Maldivian sponsor.
- In addition, if you do not have an onward or return ticket, the authorities will not let you enter the country.
Various Types of Maldives Visas for Indians
The government of Maldives issues almost five different types of visas to foreigners including Indian nationals. Each of them is briefly discussed below.
Tourist visa
Alternatively known as a visa on arrival, foreigners including Indians can travel to Maldives to experience the culture and traditions of the target country. Therefore, there is no need to approve this visa before starting the journey. A tourist visa stays valid for thirty days.
In addition, you can submit the traveler declaration form electronically via the IMUGA website.
Processing time
There is no specific processing time for a visa on arrival. The officials will issue you the visa as soon as you clear the immigration process.
Work visa
If you want to travel to Maldives for employment purposes, you should apply for a work visa. For this purpose, your Maldivian employer will start the application process.
Before that, make sure that you have a valid work permit taken from the Ministry of Economic Development website.
Moreover, you are also required to undergo medical screening at any authorized medical facility.
You can stay in Maldives with a work visa for up to ninety days in 12 months.
Processing time
After your employer applies, it will take the Immigration of Maldives to process your application and issue you a visa within 15 days.
Business visa
Indian nationals traveling to Maldives for business purposes can receive this multiple-entry but temporary visa. You can submit this visa to the Ministry of Economic Development through the website of the Ministry’s Business Portal.
Besides, they can do business activities in the country with their visa on arrival valid for 90 days. For example, this may include signing contracts, negotiating business deals, or finalizing agreements.
Processing time
The relevant party will process your business visa between 5 to 10 working days.
Dependent visa
If you, as an Indian, are dependent on your spouse or family, you must apply for a dependent visa to travel to the country. You can submit the dependent visa application via the IMUGA website.
This visa is valid for almost one year (12 months) after arriving at the destination country.
Processing time
The standard processing time for a dependent visa is up to two weeks if you have fulfilled the visa requirements.
Marriage visa
An Indian national can stay in Maldives on a marriage visa if their spouse is a Maldivian. Therefore, the non-Maldivian partner needs to visit the country to legalize their marriage.
For this purpose, they can apply for a tourist visa which must be sponsored by their Maldivian spouse. After that, they can convert it into a marriage visa within 30 days of their arrival.
Similar to the visa on arrival, you can submit your marriage visa via the IMUGA website.
Processing time
It may take almost two weeks to process this visa, valid for one year. In case of extension, you can stay for up to 5 years in Maldives.
Legal Documents Required for a Maldives Visa for Indians
Irrespective of the visa type you apply for when traveling to Maldives from India, you have to submit the following documents to the relevant embassy.
Passport
Submitting the passport is the most important requirement. Make sure that it has a validity period of at least three to six months after you depart from the destination country.
Moreover, it should follow the requirements mentioned below.
- This travel document should be machine-readable.
- In case a minor is traveling with you, they must have their passports.
- Applicants having passports with extended validity will not be allowed to enter the country.
Photographs
Two passport-size pictures are required for identification purposes. So, make sure that they are according to the guidelines mentioned below.
- The photo should be clear from any spot or watermark.
- It should cover 70-80 percent of your face and shoulders.
- The photograph should not be older than the last three months.
- Moreover, it must have a light color background such as white or gray.
Confirmed return ticket
Furthermore, you have to show your eligibility for a visa by submitting a return ticket or proof of onward travel. This will demonstrate that you will leave the country before your visa expires. Another term used for it is a flight reservation document.
It contains flight details including,
- Passenger name
- Airport terminals
- Airport names
- Travel dates and times
- IATA code
Hotel booking
You must have a confirmed hotel reservation in a registered tourist facility valid for the entire duration of your stay in Maldives. Therefore, submit proof of accommodation to show that you have managed your place of residence in the foreign country.
Moreover, you can also submit a rental contract or an invitation letter in this case.
Where can I get these documents online?
You can get any of these documents through RFV Travels at the best-reduced price.
Cover Letter
When you apply for a visa, you will be requested to submit a cover letter. Writing this document is the best way to introduce yourself, why you are traveling to the specific target country, and to communicate with the officer who is handling your application.
Travel medical insurance
It is recommended that you should buy travel medical insurance valid for the entire duration of your stay in Maldives. This is because the country has several spots for adventure that might put your life at risk.
For example, this may include hospitalization, surgery, accident, repatriation, etc.
Moreover, it will also help you in case you lose your luggage on the way to a foreign land. Besides, travel medical insurance comes in handy if you lose your passport as you cannot return to your home country without it.
Proof of financial resources
Lastly, proof of sufficient funds is required to represent that you can bear the daily expenses during your stay in Maldives. On average, a single person must have at least 100 dollars for each day.
In addition, this will help you manage costs related to food, accommodation, and transportation.
Other documents depending on your visa type include the following:
Visa on arrival
- Vaccination certificate against Covid-19
- A traveler declaration form that should be filled within 96 hours of traveling to the destination country. You can submit it via the IMUGA website.
Work visa
- Medical certificate
- Receipt of the work visa application (IM29)
- Copy of work permit
Dependent visa
- Permit extension form (IM23)
- Card fee for the dependent visa (MVR 50)
- Dependent visa fee for 7 months (MVR 750)
- Employment approval document
- Status of the dependent (either marriage or birth certificate)
- Health certificate
Business visa for Indians
- An invitation letter
- Business visa application
- Recognition document from your company or organization
Marriage visa
- Form (IM23) for a permit extension
- Application form with applicant’s signatures and seal from family court
- Marriage certificate
- Identity card of Maldivian spouse
- Fee for visa card (MVR 50)
- Health certificate from an authorized hospital
How Do You Apply for a Maldives Visa from India?
The application process for a visa when traveling to Maldives from India depends on the visa type you want.
For example, you are not required to apply for a visa on arrival in your home country. You just need to collect all the necessary documents and arrive at the port of entry in Maldives where the official will issue you a visa after clearing the immigration check.
However, for other visa types, make sure to follow the steps mentioned below:
- The first step is to identify the visa type considering the purpose of your trip to Maldives. This may include a work or dependent visa.
- Secondly, gather all the required documents to start the visa application process.
- Then, search for the embassy of the Maldives in India. You can also go to the official website.
- Then, complete the visa application form. Make sure to include details such as your personal information, travel details, accommodation information, date, and your signature.
- Before submitting the documents, ensure to schedule an appointment with the embassy. They will ask you to provide biometric data such as fingerprints and pictures.
- On the same day of the appointment, visit the embassy. You can submit the application form and the required documents. The officials may ask you for a visa interview.
- Then, pay the visa fee and attach the payment receipt with the rest of the documents.
- Wait for the response. After the specified processing time, the officials will notify you about your visa through email.
- Lastly, you can collect your passport/visa after verifying all the given details.
Visa Application Centers of Maldives in India
You can visit any of the visa application centers of Maldives in India to start the application process.
| Center | City | Phone number | Address |
| The Embassy of the Republic of Maldives in India | New Delhi | 011 4143 5701 | Delhi 110021, C-31, Anand Niketan, New Delhi. |
| The Consulate of Maldives | Thiruvananthapuram | 0471 255 81 | Lavanya, TC no:16/3176, Kumarapuram Pattom Road, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala 695011. |
Visa Fees
Depending on your reason for traveling to the destination country, you, as an Indian, are required to deposit the application fee for the visa you applied for. The following table will help you identify the standard amount for the various visa types for Maldives.
| Visa type | Duration of stay | Fee in Euros | Fee in Indian Rupees |
| Visa-on-arrival (tourist) | 30 and 90 days | FREE | FREE |
| Visa extension (on-arrival, tourist) | 60 days | 35 € | 3,248 INR |
| Business visa | 90 days | 35 € | 3,248 INR |
| Work visa | 1 year | 120 € | 11, 137 ₹ |
| Dependent visa | 1 year | 60 € | 5,568 ₹ |
Why is Maldives a Famous Travel Country for Indians?
As a part of the Indian Ocean, Maldives is a country of small islands located in the southwest of India. The blue waters with white beaches make it the most attractive place for adventure lovers.
The average temperature of Maldives is in the range of 25-31°C. Whereas, warm tropical monsoon is the climate around the year.
Moreover, another reason for Maldives’ popularity is the variety of dishes that you can devour. For example curries, tuna fish, and coconut. Other than that, the people of Maldives are very hospitable and friendly, thus making it an ideal spot to spend your vacations.
FAQs
- Is it necessary to submit a health screening report for a Maldives visa?
Yes. Indians must submit a health screening report when traveling to Maldives. Therefore, you, as an Indian, can get this report from the authorized hospital.
- Is it necessary for Indians to submit a yellow fever vaccination certificate?
No. Indians are not required to submit a vaccination certificate for yellow fever when planning a trip to Maldives.
- Are Indians allowed to travel to Maldives?
Yes. Maldives allows Indians to travel to their country throughout the year. Besides, the target country does not impose any restrictions on Indian travelers when entering Maldives. They can visit the country without a visa for almost 30 days.
However, fulfilling the eligibility criteria is a mandatory requirement for Indian nationals traveling to the destination country. The Maldives Immigration has prepared this eligibility criterion.
- Is VOA applicable to all Maldives visas?
No. You can only apply for a visa on arrival when traveling to Maldives for tourism purposes. The rest of the visa types allow you to apply for a specific permit depending on the purpose of your trip to the target country.
- What is the processing fee for a visa on arrival for Indian travelers?
Maldives offers the opportunity of a visa on arrival for almost all nationals of every country. However, the visa-on-arrival process for Indians is completely free. This means that you just have to submit the documents and apply for the process.
Besides, after spending 30 days, you can apply for an extension if you want to. For this purpose, you must deposit 3,248 Indian Rupees to the relevant authority.
Read Also: Visa-Free Countries for Indians