Maldives

Every Maldives visa route, explained

The Maldives gives every nationality a free 30-day visa on arrival — no advance visa needed — plus routes for transit, business, work, study and family. Routes with verified guides link straight to them; the rest link to the official Maldives Immigration portal.

The routes

Visit & tourism

Tourist visa (free visa on arrival)

Short visits for tourism — every nationality receives a free 30-day visa on arrival, no advance visa needed.

Tourism, leisure and short family/friend visits

Free 30-day visa on arrival

3 verified step-by-step guides →

Transit

Transit visa

For travellers transiting the Maldives to a third country.

Up to 48 hours

official page →

Study

Student visa

For studying at an institution in the Maldives.

Students enrolled at a Maldivian school or college

official page →

Work & business

Business visa

For attending meetings, conferences or conducting business in the Maldives.

Business visitors and conference attendees

official page →

Work visa

For taking up employment in the Maldives (paired with a work permit).

Employees and expatriate workers

official page →

Family & residence

Dependant / family visa

For dependants and family members of residents or workers in the Maldives.

Spouses and children of residents / work-visa holders

official page →

Verified step-by-step guides

Grounded on official sources — documents, fees, timeline, every fact dated and linked.

Tourist visa (free visa on arrival) (3)

🇨🇳 China → MaldivesTourist visa (free visa on arrival)

Chinese citizens do not need to arrange a visa before travelling to the Maldives — a free tourist visa is granted on arrival. Bring a valid passport, confirmed return tickets, a prepaid accommodation booking and proof of sufficient funds, and submit the Traveller Declaration online before you fly.

🇮🇳 India → MaldivesTourist visa (free visa on arrival)

Indian citizens do not need to arrange a visa before travelling to the Maldives — a free tourist visa is granted on arrival. Bring a valid passport, confirmed return tickets, a prepaid accommodation booking and proof of sufficient funds, and submit the Traveller Declaration online before you fly.

🇷🇺 Russia → MaldivesTourist visa (free visa on arrival)

Russian citizens do not need to arrange a visa before travelling to the Maldives — a free tourist visa is granted on arrival. Bring a valid passport, confirmed return tickets, a prepaid accommodation booking and proof of sufficient funds, and submit the Traveller Declaration online before you fly.