1. Do I need to apply for a visa to visit Maldives on a holiday?
You do not need to apply for a tourist visa. All tourists are issued up to 30-day visa for free at the airport on your arrival in Maldives. You’ll simply need to ensure the following requirements are fulfilled.
1. Your passport should be valid with Machine Readable Zone (MRZ) and should have at least 1 month validity on the date of arrival.
2. Have a valid ticket to continue the journey out of Maldives.
3. Have enough funds to cover the expenses for duration of the stay in Maldives. (US$100 + $50 dollars per day) or a confirmation of reservation in a Tourist Resort or a Hotel.
Please refer to ‘Tourist Visa’ of Maldives Immigration website for more details.
If you need additional information, please do not hesitate to contact us.
2. Can I use a drone to take pictures and videos during my trip to Maldives?
STEP 1 - Approval from the Hotel or Island
Commercial Video / Photography
Approval should be obtained from the National Centre for the Arts prior to the operation. Fill their application form and email
Recreational Video / Photography
Approval should be obtained hotel or the local island council prior to the operation.
STEP 2 - Approval from the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF)
Obtain approval from the Maldives National Defence Force. Fill in their application form and email it to
STEP 3 - Approval from the CAA
Once approval has been obtained from the hotel/island and MNDF apply to the CAA on our application form and send it to
3. I have traveled to countries with a yellow fever alert. Do I need proof of vaccination for my trip to Maldives?
If you have visited countries with yellow fever alert in the past one month, or if you plan to visit one before you arrive in Maldives, you may be asked to show your vaccination record.
If you have been living in Japan you do not require a vaccine.
4. Will I be restricted from entering Maldives for a holiday if I have a record of past offenses or was rejected visa to another country?
In general, having a record of minor past offenses or being rejected visa to another country does not disallow you from entering Maldives as long as you fulfill the visa requirements (see Question 1).
If you are in doubt about any travel restrictions you may write to Maldives Immigration at
5. What Items are prohibited/restricted for import into Maldives
As a general rule, import of 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 and idols (for worship) are prohibited.
Most medication can be carried with you when travelling to the Maldives dependent upon presentation of valid medical prescriptions, and the amount you are carrying does not exceed your requirements for the duration of your stay in the Maldives.
For tobacco products, travelers on tourist visa are permitted to import limited quantities of tobacco products for personal use: The quantities and types of tobacco products eligible for duty exemption are as up to 200 cigarettes, or 25 cigars, or 250 grams of tobacco.
Quantities exceeding these limits will be retained by Maldives Customs for a maximum of 30 days. Tourists will be able to collect these items at the departure terminal of Velana International Airport (VIA) customs counter prior to their departure from Maldives.
As regulations are subject to change, it would be prudent to visit the Maldives Customs Service website prior to your departure via: https://www.customs.gov.mv/.
