Visa Requirements 

Visitors entering the Republic of Maldives should fulfill the following requirement for the grant of an entry permit into the country.

• Possession of a valid international travel document issued by the Government of a Sovereign State.
• Possession of a valid return air ticket to a destination where the passenger has permission to enter, together with necessary visas for the onward journey to the next destination.
• Possession of minimum of US$30.00 per person per day or confirmed hotel reservation for the intended period of stay in the Maldives.

Following are exempted from this requirement.

• Diplomats
• UN Personnel
• Approved persons for employment
• Technical and other experts attached to the Government
• Those who have confirm bookings in registered tourist resort/hotels etc.
• Those sponsored by Maldivians

No prior visa is required to enter the Republic of Maldives. Entry permit will be granted to visitors on arrival at designated ports of entry, based on the immigration requirements.
Free 30 days Visa upon arrival for all visitors. 

Vital Information 

Some hotels have telescopes but for the nature enthusiast it’s best to bring your own. If you desire, you can bring cigarettes (up to two cartons) and film (up to ten rolls). And don't forget an extra bottle of your favorite suntan lotion, hats, sunglasses, water socks (reef walkers) and any common insect repellent.

An overcoat and overshoes in a tropical paradise island? Doesn’t sound quite right does it? But there are those essentials you will need, depending very much on when and where you find yourself in the Maldives.

First of all, it must be stated that official regulations do not allow public nudity anywhere in the Maldives. Regardless of how private one's tourist resort or cruising vessel is, at least a bikini and swimming trunk is a must.

You are also expected to wear decent swimwear to avoid offending the sensibilities of your fellow holiday-makers when you go swimming or snorkeling. At in-house restaurants, bars etc., casual tropical wear comes highly recommended.

When visiting inhabited islands, it is a must that guests be decently clad in garments that cover one's body from the torso down to the knees. If you envisage making any formal visit locally, do bring along light formal wear.

When is comes to selection of clothing material, do bear in mind that light cotton garments would be the best choice. Also light footwear in the nature of sandals is strongly suggested.

Arrival in Maldives 

Though Male’ is the capital island, it is too small to have an airport. Therefore, your flight would land on the neighbouring island called Hulhule', which looks more like an aircraft carrier from the air, with the only runway in the world that begins and ends in water. You own your first Maldivian memorabilia when you gain an unforgettable image in your mind of the unique landing on the runway.

Just as your flight seems about to splash into the greenish blue crystal clear waters of the Indian Ocean the wheels suddenly bounce onto the asphalt. The island of Hulhule’ is just over a kilometre from Male' and for years the island served as the holiday destination for the Sultans (Kings who ruled before the country changed into a Republic in the early 1950s).