UP TO DATE TRAVEL ADVICE FOR TRAVELLING TO THE MALDIVES 2023

Since the reopening of the Maldives in July 2020, safety has been of paramount importance to the Maldives government, local authorities and all those involved in the tourism industry.

As a destination the Maldives does have a geographic advantage as an archipelago. Individual islands provide a natural safe environment. These individual resorts or local community islands can be quickly shut down if a suspected case emerges and there are a wide range of control measures in place when entering and leaving the Maldives.

The vaccination program is also well advanced with over 99% of those working in the tourism industry having received both does of vaccine and 88% of the population also fully vaccinated ensuring tourists and local communities remain safe with risks minimized.

Updated 07 February 2023

IS THE MALDIVES OPEN TO TOURISTS?

The Maldives is open to everyone.

WHO CAN VISIT THE MALDIVES?

All nationalities are welcome.

IS THERE A MINIMUM STAY REQUIREMENT IN THE MALDIVES?

No there is no minimum length of stay.

HOW DO I GET A MALDIVES VISA?

A free 30-day tourist visa will be granted to all tourists upon arrival in Maldives providing all entry requirements as detailed below are met.

WHAT ARE THE MALDIVES ENTRY REQUIREMENTS?

You must have a confirmed pre-booking in an approved tourist facility for the duration of their stay and provide emergency contact information. Approved properties listed here. Or hold a pre-approved visa sponsorship issued by Maldives Immigration. Or provide proof of financial means for sufficient funds to support the stay in Maldives.
A passport or a travel document with Machine Readable Zone (MRZ) with at least 1 months validity. (This validity period may be a different requirement for airlines or transit countries). Note passengers with an extended validity in their passports are not allowed to enter.
A complete travel itinerary including return journey confirmed flight tickets.
Entry requirements to their onward destinations; for example, the visa and passport validity.
Yellow Fever Vaccination Certificate, if applicable. Children under 1 year of age are exempt from Yellow Fever vaccination. Click here to check the Yellow Fever endemic countries.
The IMUGA Traveler Declaration form must be completed within the 96 hour period prior to the time of your arrival in the Maldives. Once fully complete a QR code will be generated and this needs to be presented at the time of your international flight check in and at Maldives Immigration.
There is no requirement to resubmit should the QR code expire as your details will already be logged in the Immigration system.

IS A PRE ARRIVAL COVID-19 TESTING CERTIFICATION REQUIRED IN THE MALDIVES?

Effective from March 13th, 2022, PCR testing is not mandatory to enter the Maldives.
All inbound Maldives travelers, regardless of vaccination status, are permitted to enter the country without requiring proof of a negative PCR test.
The above includes all children regardless of age.

IF I WANT TO STAY LONGER THAN 30 DAYS IN THE MALDIVES CAN I EXTEND MY TOURIST VISA?

Yes, tourist visa extensions are available to all long stay tourists.
Should you require a visa extension due to quarantine measures your accommodation provider will make the necessary arrangements.
We recommend that you refer to the Maldives Immigration website, your travel agent or the property where you have booked your stay to confirm the documentation required for submission.

ARE THERE ANY RESTRICTIONS TO WHERE I CAN STAY IN THE MALDIVES?

Your stay must be in a tourist establishment registered and approved by the Ministry of Tourism.
It is a mandatory requirement that you have a confirmed booking prior to travelling to the Maldives
Note Airbnb listings are not registered properties and caution should be taken if using these accommodation providers as if not listed as an approved property you may not be able to board your international flight.
Details of all tourist facilities that have received approval from the government can be found here.

CAN I STAY ON MORE THAN ONE MALDIVES ISLAND?

Yes, you are able to split your stay across all types of approved tourist accommodation facilities, providing the necessary guidelines are followed.
Travel is allowed between vessels, resort islands and tourist guest houses islands providing the vessel, resort, guesthouse or local island is not placed under monitoring by HPA.
Details of tourist facilities and islands under monitoring can be found here.

WILL THERE BE COVID-19 TESTING COMPLETED UPON ARRIVAL IN THE MALDIVES?

As a pro-active prevention measure there is active surveillance for COVID-19 at all points of entry to the Maldives and at tourist facilities by the HPA, this includes random sampling and testing of passengers effective from April 30th 2021.
All samples taken will be free of charge and will be tested on a priority basis.
Travelers presenting symptoms of COVID-19, including, but not limited to, cough, runny nose or shortness of breath upon arrival, will be subjected to a PCR test at the traveler’s cost.
Note that some resorts may continue to request PCR testing or LFT testing upon arrival to the property and travelers are advised to check with the property direct.

WHAT HAPPENS IF I ARRIVE IN THE MALDIVES AND TEST POSITIVE?

If you or a member of the group you are traveling with displays symptoms, all members of the group shall be tested of which you shall bear the cost of the PCR test conducted due to showing symptoms.
In the case of a positive PCR result upon arrival at the airport, the resort where you are booked to stay, shall be given the option of transferring you to their booked accommodation to isolate in their designated quarantine room or to isolate in a government run quarantine facility.
Vessels, guest houses and hotels on inhabited islands may not accept tourists who have tested positive for COVID-19 on arrival and you will therefore be isolated in a government quarantine isolation facility.

WHAT HAPPENS IF I DISPLAY COVID-19 SYMPTOMS & TEST POSITIVE DURING MY STAY IN THE MALDIVES?

Any COVID-19 symptoms displayed by yourself or a member of your group should be immediately reported to the medical staff of the resort, guesthouse reception or senior crew member of a vessel.
If you are displaying COVID-19 symptoms you shall be isolated with immediate effect until further guidance from HPA and Ministry of Tourism is received.
Isolation may be undertaken separately from other members of your travel group.
All tourist facilities will have isolation rooms maintained and serviced as per standards set out by HPA.
Once isolated a mandatory PCR test for COVID-19 will be undertaken as per HPA guidelines. If your PCR test result is positive you shall remain under mandatory quarantine isolation at the property or designated quarantine isolation facility.
Your condition will be reported regularly to HPA and the Ministry of Tourism. HPA will decide on transfer for further observation and treatment should the need arise.
You will be released from quarantine as per HPA guidelines.
Note there will be expenses to be paid for any period in isolation, please check with your insurance company that you will be covered appropriately.

WHAT HAPPENS IF I COME INTO CONTACT WITH SOMEONE WHO HAS TESTED POSITIVE DURING MY STAY IN THE MALDIVES?

If you are identified through contact tracing as having been in contact with an individual who has tested positive, you will also have to undergo testing and potential quarantine.
Contact tracing will include anyone who has participated in group excursions and activities or are travelling as part of a group where an individual has been identified as positive.
Once isolated, a mandatory PCR test for COVID-19 will be undertaken as per HPA guidelines. If your PCR test result is positive you shall remain under mandatory quarantine isolation at the property or designated quarantine isolation facility as per HPA guidelines.
You will only be released from quarantine as per HPA guidelines.
Note there will be expenses to be paid for any period in isolation, please check with your insurance company that you will be covered appropriately.

The following article details the current quarantine requirements in the Maldives in the event that you test positive.

IF I TEST POSITIVE IN THE MALDIVES WHAT ARE THE QUARANTINE REQUIREMENTS?

WHAT SAFETY MEASURES ARE IN PLACE AT VELANA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT MALE?

You are advised to wear your face mask at all times within the airport and you will undergo thermal screening at the arrival terminal.
Hand sanitization is available at entry to the arrival or departure terminal of both Male International Airport and the Domestic airport and also before seaplane check in desks.
You should maintain physical distancing at luggage belts and should wash your hands or use hand sanitizer after handling trolleys and baggage.
All Immigration personal at Male International Airport have received full vaccination.

WHAT IS THE TRANSFER PROCEDURE IN THE MALDIVES?

Airport transfers will be through services provided by your pre-booked accommodation provider.
The wearing of masks and the use of hand sanitizer is recommended when boarding transfer vessels or aircraft.

DO MALDIVES PROPERTIES HAVE TO FOLLOW SPECIFIC GUIDELINES?

All tourist accommodation facilities are required to comply with all relevant Maldives legislation and a specific set of standards when reopening.
Many resort properties have their own enhanced measures and these will be available to view on their individual website or social media pages.
All tourist facilities must have access to medical services, well-managed stock of PPE and a COVID-19 safety manager.
All tourist establishments are required to submit a Health & Safety plan to the Ministry of Tourism.
Secret Paradise will be auditing all their partner local island properties. Full details here.

WHAT IS THE DEPARTURE PROCEDURE FROM THE MALDIVES?

No restrictions will apply on checkout for guests from resorts, local island guesthouses or hotels and vessels, providing no symptoms are displayed or no positive PCR result has been recorded should symptoms have been displayed during duration of stay.
You will need to complete the IMUGA Traveler Declaration form within the 96 hour period prior to your departure from the Maldives.

WHAT IF MY HOME COUNTRY REQUIRES A TEST PRIOR TO ENTRY?

Testing services are available at all tourist facilities for anyone who requires a PCR test to return to their country of origin or another destination.
Antigen testing services are available at Velaana International Airport and also at some testing clinics within Greater Male.
You should advise the guesthouse/hotel/resort/vessel of test requirement at time of check in. In most cases the sample will be taken at the property and sent to the nearest testing facility.
Results are issued by email within 12-24 hours.
Tourists who require a negative PCR test result for their outbound flight will not be taken to the Male International Airport for departure without a negative test result at hand.
We would advise you check with your agent or direct with the resort for full information and costs specific to the property.

The following article details how you can organise your departure PCR test in the Maldives.

HOW DO I ORGANISE MY DEPARTURE PCR TEST IN THE MALDIVES?

WHAT IS THE CURRENT COVID-19 STATUS IN THE MALDIVES?

The Maldives presently records a total of 185,721 confirmed cases and 311 fatalities.
399,176 first dose vaccinations have been completed and 385,093 second doses administered and 167,631 booster jabs.

WHAT ELSE DO I NEED TO CONSIDER BEFORE I TRAVEL TO THE MALDIVES?

You are advised to wear a face masks throughout the airport, within lounge areas and during transfers.
Face masks are also required where healthcare services are being provided, where an island or region has a positivity rate higher than 20%, in crowded places such as at markets, when attending indoor events and when on buses, speedboats, ferries and taxis.
Face masks remain highly recommended for high-risk individuals and symptomatic individuals.
We recommend you take out travel insurance.
Guidelines and requirements remain subject to review

We recommend that you also refer to the websites of the Ministry of Tourism and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Maldives for the most up to date information. We also advise to check your own home Foreign Office Travel Advice or seek consular assistance as part of your travel planning.

At Secret Paradise we have reviewed all our operational practices to ensure our guest’s comfort and safety. But without losing the memorable aspects of our experiences and service .

Want to find out how you can experience the Maldives in a safe and secure way? Take a visit to our website and select from tours, cruises and accommodation. Contact the Secret Paradise team to start your Maldives trip plan today!

For travel advice and information specific to local island guesthouses travel plans you can find details here.

The team at Secret Paradise have you covered.