Is the Maldives visa really free?

Yes — it's a free 30-day visa on arrival for all nationalities, and the mandatory IMUGA declaration is free too. Your only costs are your accommodation and flights.

Do I need to apply before I fly?

There's no visa pre-approval, but the free IMUGA Traveller Declaration is mandatory and must be submitted within 96 hours before arrival.

🇲🇻 Maldives

🇲🇻 Maldives · Free visa on arrival

Maldives — a free 30-day visa on arrival for every nationality

The Maldives gives a free 30-day tourist visa on arrival to every nationality — no visa fee, no pre-approval. What you do need is a free online Traveller Declaration via the official IMUGA portal, submitted within 96 hours before you fly, plus a confirmed booking at a registered tourist facility and an onward ticket. The visa itself is issued at the airport at no cost.

who needs it	Everyone — the free visa on arrival is granted to all nationalities with no pre-approval. One exception: since 15 April 2025, entry is not granted on Israeli passports.
government fee	Free — there is no visa fee; the mandatory IMUGA Traveller Declaration is also freesource: Maldives Immigration — tourist visa · verified 2026-07
processing	issued at the airport on arrival — no advance approvalthe free IMUGA Traveller Declaration must be submitted within 96 hours before arrival · source: Maldives IMUGA portal · verified 2026-07
length of stay	Up to 30 days on arrival, single entry, extendable.

documents you will need

Passport with a Machine Readable Zone, valid at least 1 month from arrival
A completed IMUGA Traveller Declaration (free, within 96 hours before arrival)
A confirmed onward or return ticket
A prepaid confirmed booking at a registered tourist facility
Proof of sufficient funds for your stay

how the process runs

01Book a registered tourist facility and your onward ticket
02Submit the free IMUGA Traveller Declaration within 96 hours of travel
03Arrive in the Maldives and receive the free 30-day visa at the airport

why applications get refused

Entry is discretionary — no confirmed accommodation or onward ticket can mean refusal
Insufficient proof of funds
A passport with under 1 month validity
Israeli passports (entry not granted since 15 April 2025)

questions we actually get

Is the Maldives visa really free?: Yes — it's a free 30-day visa on arrival for all nationalities, and the mandatory IMUGA declaration is free too. Your only costs are your accommodation and flights.
Do I need to apply before I fly?: There's no visa pre-approval, but the free IMUGA Traveller Declaration is mandatory and must be submitted within 96 hours before arrival.

rules change. we verify before we act.

This guide reflects the official sources as of 2026-07 (matrix 2026.Q3). For a decision about your own case, that is not enough — talk to a licensed advisor.

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