Your complete entry guide
Maldives Visa & Entry Requirements
Everything you need before you travel — visa on arrival, IMUGA, customs rules and the things that actually catch people out at Velana. Written by specialists who have sold nothing but the Maldives since 2004.
Plan your Maldives holidayLast verified August 2026 against the Maldives Immigration Authority. Entry rules can change without notice. Confirm the current requirements at immigration.gov.mv, or ask Pranjal or Amosha before you fly.
Do Indians need a visa for the Maldives?
No. Indian passport holders do not need a visa in advance. A free 30-day tourist visa is granted on arrival at Velana International Airport. No application, no fee, no embassy visit.
The same policy applies to nationals of most countries. Entering the Maldives is genuinely easy — the paperwork that catches people out is IMUGA, not the visa.
Who is eligible to enter the Maldives?
International tourists
Nationals of most countries receive a free 30-day visa on arrival.
Maldivian nationals
Maldivian passport holders enter freely, with no restrictions.
Expatriates and dependents
Holders of a valid Maldivian work permit, and their registered dependents.
IMUGA — Maldives Traveller Declaration
Mandatory for every traveller. Complete it before you fly.
Everyone entering or leaving the Maldives must complete the IMUGA Traveller Declaration, an online health and customs form. It is free, and it must be submitted within 96 hours of arrival, and again within 96 hours of departure.
Missing it means a delay at immigration. We remind every client as part of the pre-departure briefing, but it is worth doing the moment your flights are confirmed.
What you will need to complete it:
- Passport details — number, nationality, expiry date
- Flight details, arrival and departure
- Accommodation details — resort name and booking reference
- A customs declaration of what you are bringing in
Required documents at immigration
Have these ready when you land at Velana.
Valid passport
Valid for at least six months beyond the date you leave the Maldives, with at least one blank page for the stamp.
Confirmed return or onward ticket
A one-way ticket with no evidence of onward travel can result in entry being refused.
Confirmed accommodation for every night
A printed or digital resort confirmation covering your whole stay. Immigration does check this.
Proof of sufficient funds
A credit card or a recent bank statement is normally enough.
Completed IMUGA declaration
Your IMUGA reference or QR code, submitted within 96 hours of arrival.
Customs rules and prohibited items
The Maldives is a Muslim country and customs rules are enforced strictly. This is the one part of arrival where people get caught out.
Strictly prohibited
- Alcohol — importing it is illegal
- Pork and pork products
- Narcotics and controlled substances
- Pornographic material
- Religious material intended for proselytising
- Firearms and ammunition, without a permit
Permitted, within limits
- Prescription medication, with a doctor's letter
- Personal electronics and cameras
- Reasonable quantities of tobacco
- Personal jewellery and clothing
- Gifts within declared value limits
Visiting more than one resort
Splitting a holiday between two islands is a good way to see more of the country, and it is fully permitted. You will need the confirmation for every property you are staying at, not just the first one.
Ask about split-stay itinerariesArrival tips from our specialists
Do IMUGA early
Submit it two or three days before you fly, not at the airport. Typing passport numbers into a phone on airport wifi is not where you want to be.
Print your documents
Carry paper copies of the resort confirmation and the return ticket. Phones run flat in transit queues.
Check your seaplane allowance
Seaplanes have strict weight limits, typically around 20kg per person including hand luggage. Ask us what your transfer allows before you pack.
Bring some cash
US dollars are accepted everywhere. Carry a little cash for tips and for local island visits, where cards are less useful.
Frequently asked questions
Do Indians need a visa for the Maldives?
No. Indian passport holders receive a free 30-day tourist visa on arrival at Velana International Airport. There is no advance application, no fee and no embassy appointment. You do still need to complete the IMUGA traveller declaration online before you fly.
What is IMUGA and do I have to complete it?
IMUGA is the Maldives Traveller Declaration, a free online health and customs form. It is mandatory, and must be submitted within 96 hours of arrival and again within 96 hours of departure. Complete it at imuga.immigration.gov.mv.
How much passport validity do I need?
At least six months beyond the date you leave the Maldives, plus a blank page for the entry stamp. Check this early. Renewing an Indian passport takes longer than most people expect, and it is the most common reason a trip has to move.
Can I bring alcohol into the Maldives?
No. Importing alcohol is illegal and it will be confiscated at customs. Alcohol is served on licensed resort islands and liveaboards, which is where almost all visitors stay. Local islands such as Maafushi are dry.
Is travel insurance required?
Not for the visa, but take it anyway. Medical evacuation from a remote atoll can run into tens of thousands of dollars. Check that the policy covers emergency evacuation, and any diving or water sports you plan to do.
What currency should I bring?
US dollars are accepted at every resort and most bills are settled in USD. The local currency, the Maldivian Rufiyaa, is useful on local islands. Cards work at resorts, but carry some cash for tips and small purchases.
Ready to plan your Maldives holiday?
We handle the whole trip — island, villa category, meal plan and transfer, in that order — and we check your flight times against the seaplane cut-off before we quote. The IMUGA reminder comes as standard.
Disclaimer: last verified August 2026. Entry requirements are set by the Maldivian government and can change without notice. Always confirm the current rules with the Maldives Immigration Authority before you travel.