Arriving at VIA
Welcome to the Maldives. Follow our step-by-step guide through immigration, baggage claim, and meeting your host.
Overview
Welcome to the Maldives. Follow our step-by-step guide through immigration, baggage claim, and meeting your host. We are dedicated to ensuring your journey through Velana International Airport is as seamless and comfortable as possible.
Immigration Procedures
As you touch down at Velana International Airport, make your way to the Arrival Immigration Halls on the ground floor for hassle-free immigration clearance.
Traveller Declaration
Before passing through immigration, all passengers, including citizens, residents, and visitors, are kindly requested to submit their Traveller Declaration. Remember to complete the declaration within 96 hours of your flight for a hassle-free arrival and departure.
Dedicated Queue for Local Residents and Work Visa Holders
Dedicated immigration counters are available for local residents and work visa holders to ensure faster processing.
Automated Passport Check
Our Automated Passport Check is exclusively available for Maldivian Passport holders with Electronic Passports, offering them a streamlined self-service option to expedite the passport checking process.
Fast Track
Priority passengers (First Class, Business Class, and Priority cardholders) will receive a FastTrack card onboard. This card provides access to a dedicated immigration queue, ensuring a swift clearance process for all FastTrack card holders.
Visa Requirements
Tourist visas are granted on arrival to the Maldives for all nationalities. No pre-approval is required, but basic entry requirements must be met for immigration clearance upon arrival.
The basic entry requirements are as follows:
Kindly ensure your passport or travel document has a Machine-Readable Zone (MRZ) with at least 1 month validity. Passengers with extended passport validity are not permitted for entry.
To ensure a smooth travel experience, please ensure you have a complete travel itinerary with confirmed return journey tickets, a prepaid and confirmed hotel booking at a registered hotel, or proof of sufficient funds to support your stay in Maldives. If applicable, please also hold a pre-approved visa sponsorship from Maldives Immigration.
Entry requirements for their onward destinations; for example, the visa and passport validity.
All travelers entering or leaving Maldives are kindly asked to complete and submit the Traveller Declaration electronically via IMUGA at least 96 hours before their flight.
If applicable, please provide a Yellow Fever Vaccination Certificate. Children under 1 year of age are exempt.
Please ensure that children/minors have their own passports when entering the Maldives.
Passengers are kindly advised that entry to Maldives is determined by Immigration officers at the port of entry, in accordance with The Maldives Immigration Act 2007 (Section 7 and 8). While a complete travel itinerary or proof of financial means is beneficial, it does not guarantee entry.
Business Visa
Business Visa is specifically intended for foreign nationals who intend to visit the Maldives for business purposes. As per the recent Business Visa Regulation announced on 25th August 2021, applicants are required to submit their visa applications through the Ministry's Business Portal, administered by the Ministry of Economic Development.
More InfoProhibited and Controlled Items
Customs may require you to declare certain items. Your luggage undergoes thorough screening before being delivered to you at Baggage Claim. If your luggage contains restricted or prohibited items for the Maldives or items intended for commercial use, an additional screening may be necessary. We kindly suggest avoiding the purchase of liquor and alcoholic products during your flight or at duty-free shops en-route to the Maldives, as these items will be confiscated upon airport arrival.
Prohibited & Restricted items for import
Prohibited Items
Prohibited goods are goods that are banned completely.
Narcotics and psychotropic substances
Pornographic material (including sex toys) such as books, magazines, films, videos, DVDs and software
Religious materials offensive to Islam
Live pigs
Idols (for worship)
Restricted Items
Restricted goods are goods that require a specific permit in order to import them.
Liquor and Alcoholic Products
According to Maldivian Law No: 4/1975 (Import prohibition Act), importation of liquor and alcoholic products without prior approval is prohibited.
We kindly recommend refraining from purchasing liquor and alcoholic products during your flight or at duty-free shops while enroute to the Maldives, as these items will be confiscated upon airport arrival. Please note that liquor, beer, and other alcoholic beverages are readily available at all tourist resorts and hotels, as they have been imported under a special license.
Pork and its by products
According to Maldivian Law No: 4/1975 (Import prohibition Act), importation of pork and its by-products without prior approval is prohibited.
Chemical and Chemical Products
Chemicals, Acid, Poisons, Toxic substances.
Pets
A health certificate from an authorized veterinarian, satisfying that the animal is free from infections or contagious diseases is required. Note: the import of dogs and dangerous animals is strictly prohibited.
Firearms/Explosives/Weapons and Ammunition
Pistols, revolvers, rifles, shotguns, pellet guns, etc. Replica and imitation firearms, Components of firearms, Harpoon and spear guns, Stun or shock producing devices. Explosives and explosive devices, Replica or imitation explosive material or devices, Fireworks, flares and other pyrotechnics.
Live Plants and Animals
Plants require a valid phytosanitary / sanitary certificate and must be inspected and approved by the Ministry of Fisheries and Agriculture.
Medicine
A valid medical prescription issued by a registered medical practitioner is required for importation of controlled drugs (for personal use only). For commercial use prior permit required from: Maldives Food and Drug Authority.
Tobacco and Tobacco Products
All tobacco products must carry a health warning label as prescribed by the Ministry of Health. All passengers are eligible for import duty allowance up to a limit of 200 Cigarettes, 25 Cigars and 250g of tobacco.
Communication Equipment
Talkie-set, receiver and any other telecommunication equipment with radio frequency transmitting capacity exceeding 100 milliwatts should be inspected and approved by Communication Authority of Maldives.
For more information, visit customs.gov.mv
Arriving at VIA
Overview
Welcome to the Maldives. Follow our step-by-step guide through immigration, baggage claim, and meeting your host.
Immigration Procedures
As you touch down at Velana International Airport, make your way to the Arrival Immigration Halls on the ground floor for hassle-free immigration clearance.
Traveller Declaration
Submit your Traveller Declaration within 96 hours of your flight via IMUGA.
Dedicated Queue for Local Residents and Work Visa Holders
Dedicated immigration counters for faster processing.
Automated Passport Check
Available for Maldivian Passport holders with Electronic Passports.
Fast Track
Priority passengers receive a FastTrack card for a dedicated immigration queue.
Visa Requirements
Tourist visas are granted on arrival to the Maldives for all nationalities. No pre-approval is required.
Passport must have MRZ with at least 1 month validity.
Confirmed return tickets and hotel booking, or proof of sufficient funds.
Traveller Declaration via IMUGA at least 96 hours before flight.
Yellow Fever Vaccination Certificate if applicable (children under 1 exempt).
Children/minors must have their own passports.
Business Visa
For foreign nationals visiting for business purposes. Submit via the Ministry of Economic Development Business Portal.
More InfoProhibited & Controlled Items
Your luggage undergoes thorough screening. Avoid purchasing liquor and alcohol en-route as they will be confiscated upon arrival.
1.3.1Prohibited & Restricted items for import
Prohibited Items
Banned completely
Narcotics and psychotropic substances
Pornographic material including sex toys
Religious materials offensive to Islam
Live pigs
Idols for worship
Restricted Items
Require a specific permit
Liquor & Alcohol
Pork & By-products
Chemicals, Acid, Poisons
Pets (health certificate required)
Firearms, Weapons, Explosives
Live Plants & Animals
Medicine (valid prescription)
Tobacco (200 cigarettes limit)
Communication Equipment (>100mW)
More info: customs.gov.mv