Traveling to the Maldives can be a fantastic opportunity, not just as a tourist but also as someone looking to take a career path. Another reason a journey to this place would be incredible is its flexible visa requirements. Maldives visa requirements are more relaxed, making this place a great idea if you want to move and explore during your vacation.
The common question that pops into your head before making plans is; Do I need a visa to go to the Maldives? Although they are several Maldives visa free countries, you can always visit this place without a visa and get one on arrival. I.e. tourist visa.
However, other types of visas for Maldives ensures you get approval before making the journey. This article will discuss the types of Maldive visa, extending your stay in the country and every other thing you need to know before going to the Maldives.
They are different types of visas you can apply for in Maldives. However, tourists do not need a visa to go to the Maldives. In addition, you can get a free visa to stay for up to 30 days after your arrival, regardless of your country. Visitors can also extend their stay for an additional 60 days by applying through the immigration office.
This policy comes with more duration for citizens of Russia and India. Nationals of these two countries can get up to 90 days without a visa.
As mentioned earlier, the Maldives offers excellent opportunities to explore different areas of life besides tourism. So, if you want to move to this place with other goals such as business, a career path, or something else, there is a visa for you.
This section will discuss all the visa types and Maldives visa requirements for different purposes of your travel. Here are the main types of visas you can get before going to Maldives;
Tourist Visa
Business Visa
Work Visa
Marriage Visa
Dependent Visa
This visa is the easiest as all foreign nationals get a free visa on arrival. You can stay in the Maldives with this visa for up to 30 days, with an option to extend your stay for an additional 60 days. However, the duration of the initial visa is first determined by the Maldives Immigration Services.
Tourists must also meet specific requirements to qualify for this visa. Eligibility to get a tourist visa for Maldives involves some essential documents and details.
Tourists would need to provide the following to get a visa on arrival;
A passport with a validity of at least 1 month.
Proof of accommodation to stay in the Maldives.
A bank statement document indicating you have sufficient funds to stay in the Maldives.
Passport-size photograph (Must have a white background)
Return flight ticket to your country.
Yellow fever vaccination –except for children under 12 months. This report is applicable to nationals of countries listed here.
Traveller Declaration form. This form should be submitted 96 hours before you travel to the Maldives.
The Maldives is another good business destination as its rich culture and tourism attract investments. A business trip to this South Asian country does not involve much hassle. Maldives visa requirements for business travel differ from regular visas as some unique documents must be provided.
You or your sponsors will need the following papers before getting a business visa to travel to the Maldives;
A scanned copy of your passport bio page. This passport must be valid for at least six months.
You will also need a business visa application form (IM24).
A copy of your medical Insurance.
Visa applicant information form (IM30)
A letter from your sponsor indicating how long you will stay in the Maldives.
Qualifications and other supporting documents.
Since the Maldives government policy change in August 2021, application of this type has to be submitted to the Ministry of Economic Development’s through their business portal.
After completing the online process, you will get approval before travelling to the Maldives. This visa has a maximum duration of 9-12 months, which is a long time to make any business exploration.
This type of visa is for those looking to choose a career path in the Maldives. Getting a work visa requires you to move to the country, which will, in turn, warrant you getting a work permit.
Your employer, sponsor, or representative would be in a great position to meet this requirement.
That means you would need to have a job offer before applying to work in the Maldives.
If you have plans to move to the Maldives for work, here are some things you need to know.
The requirements of a work visa for Maldives include the following;
A valid passport
A letter of employment.
You also need a medical health screening report. And this document should be from an authorized government medical facility.
A valid work permit
Yellow fever vaccination certificate.
Passport-size photograph.
Applicants must also have a receipt of the work visa application.
This application can be made through the Maldives immigration website. You can get all the forms and document requirements to apply for this visa.
A foreign national married to a Maldivian can stay in the Maldives with this marriage visa. Your spouse would sponsor a visa for you before travelling. You can enter the Maldives through this visa before changing to a marriage visa within 30 days.
This procedure requires some documents, and we will run you through some of the main requirements you will need for this visa.
These requirements include the following;
You will need a valid passport.
Visa card fee
Permit Extension form. The Family court should sign this form.
Copies of your marriage certificate.
Passport-size picture of yourself.
A copy of your spouse's Maldivian ID
A copy of an expatriate health insurance policy and medical health screening report from a verified medical facility.
The forms required for this application are found on the Maldives immigration website.
This visa applies to people who are travelling to the Maldives and would be dependent on a spouse or family member. Maldives visa requirements in such cases would require applicants to show proof of their relationship with the sponsor.
To be eligible for this type of visa, you need the following document;
Application for a permit extension form.
A passport with a validity of at least six months.
Dependent visa card fee.
A document showing employment approval for the foreigner Or a copy of their work visa.
A medical health screening report was given from an authorized medical institution.
Evidence of the dependent's status; this might be a birth certificate or a marriage certificate.
These documents should be submitted through Maldives Immigration.
Maldives offers foreign nationals free visas on arrival, which only applies to tourists. However, there are a few other nationals that can get entry into the country without a visa. China, Kazakhstan, India, and Russia benefit from a visa free visit to the Maldives. But this stay is only for a particular duration after arrival.
Countries like China and Kazakhstan can stay in the Maldives for up to 30 days without a visa. This policy also has more duration for Indian and Russian nationals; they can stay for up to 90 days without a visa.
Yes, you can. The maximum duration for foreign nationals with a tourist visa on arrival is 30 days. But tourists can extend this as soon as they apply for an extension and get a renewal.
So that means you can get an extension of up to 60 days to stay in the country. All you have to do is apply before the expiration of your running visa and meet the Maldives visa requirements.
The work visa is what ensures your licence to work in the Maldives. The requirements we mentioned above on work visa requirements in the Maldives can help you work in this country. Regardless, the most crucial part of this process is getting a job offer from an employer in the Maldives.
They are several work opportunities to explore in the South Asian nation. With the Maldives being a great tourist centre, foreigners can quickly start a career path in the hospitality and tourism sector.
From helping with the job odds around to skilled work such as spa therapists and diving instructors, there are different jobs you can get out there. In addition, the benefits that come with working in the hospitality industry can be excellent.
The shipping and fishing industries also offer job opportunities in the Maldives. You can also find good openings in boat construction, food processing and handicraft jobs. Choosing a career path in the Maldives is easy as you have some great options.
This is one aspect you must consider before moving to this country for any purpose. Although proof of your financial capacity is required as part of the Maldives visa requirements, foreigners looking to stay longer for work or business should understand how much it costs to stay in this country.
The cost of living in the Maldives depends on staying single or with a family. A family of four can expect to have monthly expenses of over 61, 000Rf without rent, while a single person would do with a cost of around 26, 000Rf. (That is between $1700 to $4000 for one person and a family of four, respectively)
In general, you must discover what would require some expenses in the Maldives. A detailed breakdown of the cost of living in the Maldives would include a budget for rent, transportation, healthcare, food, and other miscellaneous.
Living in the Maldives is affordable, but an idea of the significant expenses helps you understand your spending and budget.
If you go to the Maldives, exploring its beautiful nature, culture, and greenery is inevitable. This place is one of the best destinations for tourism and hospitality, meaning numerous fun things exist.
So, when you meet Maldives visa requirements and you are ready to make your travel plans, consider putting a few of these activities on your to-do lists;
The calmness of the blueish-green Ocean can be a great place to relax. Also, the feeling of the beach at sunrise and the sea breeze is something you would love to experience. So, consider visiting the beach when travelling to the Maldives.
There is no better place to get rejuvenation from stress than a spa therapy centre, and the Maldives is not short of these places. There are several places to get an exclusive spa experience and relaxation while exploring this country. Huvafen Fushi is one place to check if you need a unique and relaxing treatment.
You can explore many water sports activities, from canoeing to kayaking, roller boarding, etc. Tourists living in resorts can also get instructors during these activities. So, this experience promises to bring moments you will never forget.
You can also explore other things like the cuisine, Maldives' architectural heritage, culture and fantastic telegraphic views and landscapes.
The Maldives is an excellent destination for foreigners, especially for people who are visiting for tourism purposes. It can also be a great place to start a career path in tourism and hospitality, with numerous resorts offering job opportunities.
However, meeting their visa requirements should be the first on your mind before making any plans. But this article has shown how easy it is to get a visa to the Maldives. So, if you are unsure about the Maldives visa requirements, you know what it entails now!
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