Maldives Visa Requirements & Fees from Dubai

The Maldives visa itself costs nothing — it is free for all nationalities without exception. However, there are other travel-related costs that Dubai residents should budget for when planning a Maldives trip. Understanding the full cost picture helps you plan your budget accurately.

While the Maldives visa is free and automatic, you must present the following documents at immigration upon arrival at Velana International Airport. Missing any of these can result in boarding denial by your airline in Dubai or entry refusal in Male.

1. 1Valid passport — must have at least 1 month of validity beyond your planned departure date from the Maldives. At least one blank page is required for the entry stamp. The Maldives has a lower passport validity threshold than most countries, which is 1 month rather than the typical 6 months.
2. 2Return or onward flight ticket — a confirmed booking showing you will leave the Maldives within 30 days. This can be a return flight to Dubai, or an onward flight to another destination. One-way tickets without proof of departure are not accepted.
3. 3Accommodation booking — a confirmed resort, guesthouse, or liveaboard reservation for your entire stay in the Maldives. Immigration officers may check that your accommodation covers all nights. If island-hopping, carry booking confirmations for each property.
4. 4Sufficient funds — enough money to support yourself during your stay. There is no fixed minimum, but having a credit card or cash equivalent to approximately USD 100 per day is generally considered sufficient. You are unlikely to be asked to prove funds unless you have no accommodation booking.
5. 5Completed Traveller Declaration — submitted online at imuga.immigration.gov.mv within 96 hours before your arrival. You receive a QR code to present at immigration. This is mandatory and free.

The Maldives Traveller Declaration is the one mandatory online requirement that every visitor must complete before arrival. It replaced the earlier paper arrival card and health declaration and is now the standard digital entry form for the country.

1. 1Visit imuga.immigration.gov.mv — use only the official government website. Do not pay for third-party "assistance" services.
2. 2Create an account or log in if you have used the system before.
3. 3Select "Arrival" and enter your passport details exactly as they appear in your passport.
4. 4Enter your flight information: airline, flight number, departure city (Dubai), and arrival date.
5. 5Provide your accommodation details in the Maldives: resort name, guesthouse, or liveaboard operator and booking reference.
6. 6Complete the health declaration section — standard questions about symptoms and recent travel.
7. 7Review all details for accuracy and submit the form.
8. 8Download or screenshot your QR code — this is your Traveller Declaration confirmation.

Despite the Maldives having one of the world's simplest entry processes, certain mistakes can still cause problems for Dubai travellers. The following are the most common issues OraVisa has seen among UAE-based clients travelling to the Maldives.

• Forgetting the Traveller Declaration — the most common mistake. Even though the visa is free, the online Traveller Declaration is mandatory and airlines may deny boarding without it.
• Booking a one-way ticket without proof of departure — the Maldives requires evidence that you will leave within 30 days. A one-way ticket from Dubai without a return booking is not accepted.
• Not having accommodation for your entire stay — if you are island-hopping between guesthouses, ensure you have booking confirmations for every night, even if they are flexible or refundable bookings.
• Attempting to bring alcohol — alcohol purchased at Dubai Duty Free will be confiscated on arrival. The Maldives prohibits alcohol imports regardless of nationality.
• Passport with insufficient validity — while the Maldives only requires 1 month validity (lower than most countries), some travellers still arrive with expired or near-expiry passports.
• Assuming the Traveller Declaration is the same as eTravel from other countries — the Maldives system is specific to the Maldives and must be completed on the official imuga.immigration.gov.mv website.