Visiting Maldives
Do I need a visa before I arrive in Maldives, if I am visiting as a Tourist?No, you will be granted a free entry visa on arrival. Depending on your financial status, you can apply for a maximum period of thirty days. A ninety-day visa is granted for nationals of SAARC countries.
All visitors need a valid travel document. If a passport expiry date falls within 30 days of arrival, tourists cannot extend their stay beyond the passport expiry date. Working / Employment under tourist visa is prohibited. Working visas are provided by the Ministry of Human Resources Employment and Labour.
How long can I stay in Maldives?Normally on a single entry, you can stay up to 90 days. This is subject to conditions.
What should I do, if I need to extend my Visa?You have to submit a Visa Extension form to the Head Office of the Department of Immigration and Emigration before the expiry of your current visa. Again you might have to prove your financial status for the duration of stay.
Can I go as a Tourist and get employed in Maldives?No, a tourist visa will not be switched to a resident permit to work. Resident Permit is issued to expatriates who enter Maldives with a Work Permit.
How do I assure myself that I will be given a Resident Permit to work in Maldives?Make sure that you receive a copy of the Work Permit from your employer, issued by the Ministry of Human Resources, Employment and Labour, before you leave your home country.
How can I check myself that the Work Permit I have received from my Employer is valid?Send a mail to
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, specifying the passport details and the Work Permit details, requesting to verify your Work Permit.
Can I marry a Maldivian while in Maldives and apply for a Marriage Visa?No. Your intention to get married to a Maldivian should be submitted in writing to the Department of Immigration and Emmigration before your arrival in the Maldives. (A fax to 960-321100 would do).
How do I do that, if I am already in Maldives?You have to go out of the Maldives, and send a letter to the Department of Immigration and Emigration, mentioning your intention and re-enter.
What vaccinations should I have?
Normally, no vaccinations are required by the Maldives authorities. However, if you are from a Central African nation or South American, or if you have traveled through these areas to get to the Maldives, you need to have a valid certificate indicating that you have been vaccinated against yellow fever. If you want to be extra careful, do consult your personal physician for his recommendations.
Will I be able to use my electrical equipment in the Maldives? Voltage in Maldives is 110 or 220 volts, depending on your location. An adapter is recommended for using appliances you bring with you. Most major hotels provide hair dryers and other amenities.
Can I use my Visa Card, Master Card, and Debit Card to get cash from the bank?Most of the local and souvenir shops in Male' accept all major credit cards but none of these shops can get you cash from your card. There are two or three merchants who can get you limited cash and this is only possible during weekdays as these merchants will be issuing you a cash check which you will have to en-cash it from the bank. One bank in the Maldives offers encashment of credit cards. However the withdrawals are well limited.
Are there hospitals and good medical facilities?Maldives has excellent medical and dental services, pharmacies, a large government hospital and many private clinics in the capital city of Male', all of the resorts are also equipped with outstanding medical facilities and clinics.
Could I bring liquor to the Maldives?Nobody is allowed to bring in liquor to Maldives, unless he or she has a special import license for liquor, beer and related products. If somebody has bought liquor and beer and related items on his/her way to Maldives from a duty free center, then products should be bonded in custom on their arrival to Maldives. And the goods will be released on their departure. Further nobody is allowed to bring in liquor, beer or related products to the Capital City/Island. Thus the Capital City Hotel's will not offer liquor, beer and related products.
Alcoholic beverages are available to Hotel Guests in resort islands.
Holidaying in MaldivesWhat's the best time to visit Maldives?If you're looking for a few extra hours of sunshine then you should visit the Maldives between December and April, which is the dry season. This is the high season, however, and resorts can be fully booked and prices are higher than the rest of the year. The Christmas-New Year period is the busiest and most expensive part of the high season. Between May and November it's still warm, but the skies can be cloudy, humidity is higher and rain is more likely. This is the low season, and there are fewer tourists and prices are lower. The transition months of November and April are said to be associated with increased water clarity and better visibility for divers.
What's the time difference?Maldives is five hours ahead (GMT +05:00) of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT).
Is the water safe to drink?Each resort has its own water desalination plant. Bottled water is readily available in all islands.
Where is the best area to stay?All the hotels in Maldives have an excellent transportation system so visitors can easily reach other islands, no matter where they stay. Most hotels are located on their own Private Island or small islands where only a few resorts exist along the waterfront areas, all offer a high standard of service and unless you need to be in a particular spot, it really doesn't matter where you stay.
What is the currency used?Maldives has its own currency called "Rufiyaa"" (Rf). One United States Dollar is equivalent to Rf. 12.85 (Maldives Monetary Authority buying rate) and this value doesn't vary much.
How do I book a travel package to the Maldives?Find your choice of travel agent, safari or the resort island from the website of the Maldives Tourism Promotion Board (MTPB); http://www.visitmaldives.com and for more information you may visit the website of the Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation ;http://www.maldivestourism.gov.mv
Buisness and tradeDo I need a license for import and export?Imports/Exports in commercial quantities have to be accompanied by Import/Export Trade License issued by the Ministry of Trade and Industries. A temporary license is issued for occasional importers.
What are the main Ports in the country?There are two international ports in Maldives. Male' International Airport at Hulhule, and the Male' commercial sea port situated at commercial harbour of the capital, Male'.
How is import duty levied?All cargo imported to Maldives are dutiable, except items brought by passengers for personal use, in non commercial quantities
Import duty is levied on the CIF (Cost + Insurance + Freight) value of the goods. The rate of duty percentage is listed in the Tariff page.
Can I import certain items temporarily for a very short duration?On request, Customs may allow the temporary importation of goods and equipment for trade promotion, scientific research and other professional use. Duration allowed for such importation is 14 days, after which import duty must be paid for them.
What is the duty levied for exports?Currently no duty is levied on goods intended for export except on "AMBERGRIS"
What documents do I need for imports?Commercial invoice Bill of lading / Airway bill Packing list Bank & insurance documents where required
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