26 natural atolls 1,192 coral islands, about 200 inhabited Visa on arrival Free 30 days, all nationalities Green tax $12/night resorts · $6/night small guesthouses Best diving visibility Dry season, roughly Dec–Apr One island, one resort The concept that shaped Maldives tourism Guesthouses on local islands Legal since 2009 — a genuine budget route 26 natural atolls 1,192 coral islands, about 200 inhabited Visa on arrival Free 30 days, all nationalities Green tax $12/night resorts · $6/night small guesthouses Best diving visibility Dry season, roughly Dec–Apr One island, one resort The concept that shaped Maldives tourism Guesthouses on local islands Legal since 2009 — a genuine budget route
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Entry rules

Visa & entry: what's changed recently

The core Maldives entry policy — a free 30-day visa on arrival for every nationality — has held steady for years and remains the standing rule. This page tracks changes on top of that baseline, rather than repeating the full policy explained in our visa & entry requirements guide.

2025: entry restriction for Israeli passport holders

Following a formal immigration law amendment, the Maldives does not currently admit holders of Israeli passports. This is the most significant recent change to entry policy and affects admission outright, not just visa terms — dual nationals should travel on an alternative passport where that applies to them.

Standing requirements, restated

  • Passport with Machine Readable Zone, valid at least one month beyond departure (six months recommended as a safer margin).
  • Confirmed onward/return ticket.
  • Prepaid accommodation booking or proof of sufficient funds.
  • IMUGA Traveller Declaration, filed online within 96 hours of travel.
How we'll keep this updated: as the site grows we're aiming to check and refresh this page at least monthly, and sooner if a change is reported. Immigration policy can shift with little public notice, so always cross-check directly with Maldives Immigration or your airline close to your travel date rather than relying on any single source.

Last verified: August 2026.