Maldives Visa Guide 2026: Free 30-Day Visa on Arrival for Every Nationality

Unlike most of its regional neighbors, the Maldives doesn't split visitors into visa-free, visa-on-arrival and advance-application tiers by nationality — every nationality receives the same free 30-day visa on arrival, issued at the immigration desk at Velana International Airport with no paperwork filed in advance and no fee charged. This makes the Maldives genuinely one of the simplest countries in the world to enter as a tourist, with no nationality-specific exceptions to check before booking flights.

The visa on arrival is strictly for tourism; anyone planning to work, study or stay long-term needs a different permit obtained separately through Maldives Immigration.

Arriving without the right documents is the real risk here, not nationality. You need: a passport valid for at least one month beyond your planned departure date; a confirmed onward or return ticket showing you'll leave within the 30-day window; proof of accommodation covering your full stay, whether that's a resort voucher, hotel booking, or a letter from a host if you're staying on a local island; and commonly cited proof of funds, around USD 100 plus USD 50 for each day you plan to stay.

Separately, every traveler must submit an online IMUGA (Immigration, Maldives) Traveller Declaration within 96 hours before arrival — this is a digital health and travel declaration, not a visa application, but immigration will ask for it, so complete it before you fly rather than at the airport.

Because the Maldives' entire tourism model runs on resort and local-island stays booked in advance, immigration officers lean more heavily on your accommodation proof than many destinations do — have a printed or downloaded copy of your booking confirmation ready rather than relying on inflight wifi at the gate. The 30-day visa on arrival covers tourism only, and overstaying is handled strictly, so confirm your onward flight date lines up with your visa window if your plans change mid-trip.

If you're combining a resort stay with time on a local island like Maafushi, note that your accommodation proof should reasonably reflect your actual itinerary across both.