| Quick Summary (TL;DR) : - Indian tourists do not need to obtain a Maldives tourist visa before travelling. A tourist visa is granted on arrival, provided you meet the Maldives Immigration entry requirements. You’ll need a valid machine-readable passport, confirmed return or onward travel, prepaid confirmed accommodation, sufficient funds and a completed IMUGA Traveller Declaration submitted within 96 hours before arrival. |
Do Indians Need a Visa for Maldives?
No. Indian tourists do not need to apply for a Maldives tourist visa before travelling. A tourist visa is granted on arrival, provided you meet the Maldives Immigration entry requirements.
However, visa on arrival does not guarantee entry. Immigration officers may check your passport, return or onward ticket, confirmed accommodation, sufficient funds and completed Traveller Declaration before granting entry.
What You Must Carry to Get Your Visa on Arrival
Before arriving in the Maldives, make sure you have the following documents ready:
- A valid passport: Your passport must have a Machine-Readable Zone (MRZ) and at least one month of validity. Passports with manually extended validity are not accepted.
- A confirmed return or onward ticket: You should have proof of your departure from the Maldives.
- Confirmed accommodation: You need a prepaid confirmed booking at a registered tourist facility for your stay.
- Proof of sufficient funds: You should be able to show that you have enough funds to cover your stay, if requested. Approved sponsorship may also apply in eligible cases.
- Yellow Fever vaccination certificate: This is required only for travellers arriving from or travelling through a country where Yellow Fever vaccination requirements apply.
The One Form Everyone Forgets: IMUGA
Before travelling to the Maldives, visitors must complete the Traveller Declaration through the official IMUGA portal.
Here’s what you need to know:
- It is separate from your visa. The Traveller Declaration is an entry requirement and does not replace the visa on arrival.
- Submit it within 96 hours before arrival. Complete the declaration within 96 hours before you arrive in the Maldives.
- It is completely free. Submit it only through the official IMUGA portal. Maldives Immigration warns travellers against websites or agents charging a fee for the declaration.
- Keep your confirmation available. After submitting the form, keep the confirmation accessible during your journey and immigration clearance.
Useful update: Travellers are no longer required to submit a Traveller Declaration when departing the Maldives; the departure declaration requirement was removed from 15 August 2024.
A Simple Way to Think About This
The Maldives keeps tourist entry relatively simple — Indian travellers do not need to apply for a tourist visa in advance.
But visa on arrival doesn’t mean automatic entry. You still need to meet the entry requirements and have the right documents ready.
Before you fly, check your passport validity, return or onward ticket, confirmed accommodation and IMUGA Traveller Declaration. Being prepared makes the arrival process much smoother.
About This Article
Reviewed by the LEAMSS Team — we help travellers double-check their documents against official entry rules before they fly, so nothing gets missed at the airport.
Have questions about your specific Maldives trip? Talk to our team directly.
Official Sources
Maldives Immigration — Tourist Visa on Arrival
IMUGA — Official Traveller Declaration Portal
