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Maldives Visa for United States Citizens 2026

Visa on Arrival

United States citizens can obtain a 30-day visa on arrival in the Maldives at Velana International Airport, with the possibility to extend to a total stay of up to 90 days; no pre-arrival visa is required.

Guide last updated September 3, 2026. Always verify with official sources before travel.

What you need

  • Passport validity: Passport must be valid for at least 6 months from the date of entry.
  • Specific forms: No pre-arrival visa application; on arrival you may be required to fill an Immigration Arrival Card and present hotel booking confirmation and return/onward ticket.
  • Financial proof: Show funds to cover your stay; example guideline: at least USD 100 per day of stay or recent bank statements demonstrating adequate funds.
  • Accommodation and return ticket: Confirmed hotel booking for the entire stay; round-trip or onward travel ticket.
  • Photo spec: Typically no separate visa photo is required for the visa on arrival; carry a copy of the passport photo page and be prepared to present a passport-sized photo if requested.
  • Biometrics: Not required on arrival for the visa on arrival; visa is issued by border officers at entry.
  • Travel health insurance: Strongly recommended; not mandatory for visa on arrival.
  • Official information: consult the Maldives Immigration portal at https://immigration.gov.mv/ for the latest visa on arrival requirements, fees, and extensions.

Visa types

  • Tourist visa on arrival — Official name: Tourist Visa on Arrival; Validity: 30 days; Max stay: 30 days; Entry: Single; Fee: USD 25 (or equivalent in MVR).
  • Business visa on arrival — Official name: Business Visa on Arrival; Validity: 30 days; Max stay: 30 days; Entry: Single; Fee: USD 25 (or equivalent in MVR).
  • Student visa on arrival — Not available on arrival; must obtain pre-arranged visa through the Maldives embassy/immigration channels.
  • Work visa on arrival — Not available on arrival; requires pre-approved work visa processed by an employer and the Department of Immigration.

How to apply: Visa on arrival

  • Where: Velana International Airport (MLE) in Malé is the primary port of entry for visa on arrival.
  • Steps: 1) Disembark and proceed to the Immigration desk; 2) Present passport valid 6+ months, hotel booking, onward/return ticket, and evidence of funds; 3) Pay visa fee of USD 25 in cash or as directed; 4) Immigration officer stamps the visa on your passport; 5) Collect luggage and exit as usual.
  • Fees and currencies: Visa on arrival fee is USD 25; local currency equivalent (MVR) may be accepted per border control guidelines; check current rate at arrival.
  • Queue tips: Have documents ready, join the earliest possible queue after landing, consider arriving early in the day to avoid long lines; if traveling with family, coordinate entry times.
  • How approval arrives: Visa is issued at the point of entry; no pre-approval or online visa notice is required.

Fees & processing time

  • Visa fee: USD 25; approx. MVR 385 (subject to change with exchange rates).
  • VFS/BLS service fee: not applicable for visa on arrival.
  • Total cost estimate: USD 25 for visa on arrival (plus any incidental charges).
  • Standard processing time: Visa issued at border control on arrival; no pre-processing time beyond standard border processing; expect 0–2 hours from landing depending on queue.
  • Express/priority option: Not available for visa on arrival.

Tips for United States travelers

  • How far in advance to apply: Not applicable; visa is issued on arrival; no pre-travel visa application required.
  • Common rejection reasons for United States applicants: Passport validity below 6 months, lack of hotel booking or onward ticket, insufficient funds for the stay, or missing documents at immigration.
  • VFS/BLS vs direct embassy application: Not applicable for visa on arrival; pre-arranged visas would go through Maldives embassies or official channels.
  • Travel advisories: Check both US State Department travel advisories and Maldives immigration updates before travel; ensure there are no current entry restrictions or health advisories.
  • Extension options inside Maldives: Extensions of the 30-day visa on arrival can be sought at the Department of Immigration and Emigration (Male) for up to a total of 90 days; extension fees apply per current schedule.

Official links & resources

Always confirm requirements with government or embassy sources before applying.

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This guide is for information only. Visa policies change without notice. Travel Visa Stack is not an immigration authority. Always verify with official government or embassy sources before making travel plans.