Entry GuidanceWhat to know before travelling to Maldives
Use the section that matches your travel purpose and passport context.
01Tourist & Leisure
Visitor requirements
Tourist visas are issued on arrival, subject to immigration clearance. Carry return tickets, a prepaid reservation at registered accommodation and evidence of funds, or an approved sponsorship. Each traveller must submit the free IMUGA Traveller Declaration within 96 hours before arrival. Check the official yellow-fever certificate conditions for your route and travel history.
Passport & documentsTourists need a machine-readable passport with at least one month of validity; extended-validity passports are not accepted. Business Visa applicants need at least six months of passport validity. Check the separate requirements of transit and onward destinations.
02Business Travel
Business requirements
For approved business activity, a locally registered business or organisation must invite the traveller. Apply through the Ministry of Economic Development and Trade Business Portal and obtain approval before arrival. The Business Visa allows multiple entries with a cumulative stay of up to 90 days in 12 months; follow the official document and eligibility checks. A separate, non-extendable 14-day Meeting Visa is available on arrival for qualifying meetings, conferences or conventions. Its event, itinerary, declaration and passport conditions must be met. A Meeting Visa holder cannot switch to a Business Visa in the Maldives.
Passport Context
Kenyan passport holders
Kenyan ordinary passport holders travelling as tourists use the on-arrival process described by Maldives Immigration, subject to admissibility. Permission for tourism does not cover every business activity.
Kenyan residents using other passportsThis review covers Kenyan ordinary passports. Kenyan residents travelling on another passport must check the official rules for that nationality, purpose and residence status.
04Application Route
How and where to apply
Tourists complete the declaration at IMUGA and undergo entry clearance on arrival. Business Visa applications go through business.egov.mv; the approved eVisa is downloaded there. Meeting visitors should follow the separate official Meeting Visa instructions.
Embassy / missionFor current case-specific instructions, use the contact service on the Maldives Immigration website.
Processing guidanceTourist and qualifying Meeting Visa clearance takes place on arrival. The reviewed Business Visa service page gives no fixed decision time; obtain approval before travelling and follow the application status in the official portal.
