Visa to the Maldives for Russians in 2021, how to apply for and obtain permission to enter the islands, photo requirements and list of documents

The Maldives is considered one of the most popular holiday destinations in 2021. The Maldives has introduced a visa-free regime with all countries except Israel. Now any citizen of the Russian Federation can safely stay in the Maldives for 90 days.

Citizens of the country of Israel are prohibited from entering the state.

The Maldives is a holiday destination. Therefore, the main part is tourists. But if you are planning a business trip or require a private visa to visit the state, then you must have an invitation from an organization or individual. The procedure for obtaining all visas is the same. The only difference is that the visa document will not have a stamp.

Visa-free regime for visiting the islands

If a tourist flies to the Maldives for a holiday and spends less than 30 days there, then he will be able to cross the border without hindrance - in this case, the visa-free entry rule applies. In other cases, a foreigner will need special permission to visit the state.

Panoramic view of the Maldives. The Republic of Maldives is located in the equatorial waters of the Indian Ocean, approximately 700 km southwest of Sri Lanka. The islands do not rise much above sea level: the highest point of the archipelago is on the southern Addu (Sienu) atoll - 2.4 m. Due to this, the Maldives is known as the lowest located state. The total area is 90 thousand km², the land area is 298 km². The capital Male is the only city and port of the archipelago.

Contact details

Embassy of Sri Lanka in Moscow

Address: Shchepkina street, building 24, building 1;

Telephone;

Website: https://www.srilankaembassy.ru.

Migration Service of the Ministry of Internal Affairs in Male

(contact when extending your stay):

First Floor, Velaanage Ameer Ahmed Magu' Male';

e-mail

website: www.immigration.gov.mv.

Russian Embassy in Sri Lanka

(there is no Russian representative office in the Maldives):

st. Sir Ernest de Silva Mawatha, 62, Colombo 7, Sri Lanka (62 Sir Ernest de Silva Mawatha, Colombo 7, Sri Lanka).

(8-10-941)57-49-59; (8-10-9411) 257-35-55.

e-mail

website: www.sri-lanka.mid.ru.

Who will need a visa

It must be issued if the trip is of a business nature or will last more than a month. If this is not done, the foreign citizen simply will not be able to cross the border. To obtain a visa to the Maldives, you need to contact the Sri Lankan embassy, since the island state does not have a representative office in the Russian Federation. When registering, you must have a basic package of documents:

A current passport valid for at least three months from the date of completion of the trip;
Tourist voucher, hotel reservation or house rental;
An immigration card provided on the plane so that passengers can fill it out in advance and present it at the border.
Ticket back to your home country or to a third country;
Documents confirming the financial viability of the citizen for the entire period of travel.

Entry permits may vary, depending on the purpose of the trip to the islands and the desired period of stay abroad.

Tourist visa

This type of document is the most common. This is due to the fact that the Maldivian government very rarely provides foreign citizens with the opportunity to work and study in their country. A tourist visa is usually issued after a month of permitted visa-free entry. Its validity period is 30 days.

The main airport in the Maldives is located on the separate island of Hulhule near the capital. The country's largest airport and its only international airport. It differs in that it is located on a long and narrow island, and the runway begins and ends right at the water.

Work Visa

Russian citizens can also obtain a permit that allows them to conduct business in the Maldives. Foreigners can open their own companies and own most of the income from their activities, while paying taxes to the government. It is worth noting that it is quite difficult for citizens of other countries to obtain a work permit. The Ambassador may require additional documents to the main package of required papers. However, it is still possible to obtain a work visa. To easily find a job on the islands, you need to send an application to the Sri Lankan Embassy and a letter from the inviting employer.

Male is the capital of the Maldives and the largest city in the archipelago. The city is located on the southern coast of North Male Atoll. Administratively, it is located on four islands. Traditionally, Male is considered the Royal Island, ruled by dynasties of royal families since ancient times. The name of the capital of the Maldives means “Maha” - “big” or “great” and “aalay” - “house”, which was the name of the royal palace.

Business visa

This type of permit is granted to certain categories of people. For example, celebrities, politicians or large entrepreneurs. They usually travel to the Maldives to negotiate, conclude agreements and maintain business ties.

Regardless of the type of visa, a foreign citizen provides a basic package of papers to the embassy.

Feeding stingrays in the Maldives. A special type of entertainment in the Maldives is feeding stingrays. Feeding of stingrays always occurs at sunset. Sea rays swim up to the very surf line and treat themselves to food, and tourists have the opportunity to capture this spectacle in photos or videos.

Visa to Maldives

Do Russians need a visa to the Maldives in 2021? According to the current agreement, a visa for Russians, Ukrainians and Belarusians to the Maldives is not required for a trip lasting up to 30 days.

As a rule, tourists enter the Maldives through the airport. Ibrahim Nasir, located on the island of Hulule near the capital Male. Entry into the country is free. However, there is a fee of approximately $30 upon departure. Tourists should not worry about this - as a rule, airlines operating flights to the Maldives include this fee in the ticket price. If for some reason the air ticket price does not include the tax, you can pay it at the airport at the counter marked Tax Counter in the departure area. The amount is paid in US dollars in cash or by bank transfer. If tourists' flight is cancelled, they must return to the Tax Counter and obtain a copy of the tax receipt stamped valid for next flight. Otherwise, guests will have to pay this fee again.

A visa-free regime in the Maldives for our fellow citizens does not cancel certain formalities. So, when entering the country, tourists will have to present:

a foreign passport of a citizen of the Russian Federation, the validity of which must be at least 6 months from the start of the trip (for Belarusians - also from 3 months, for Ukrainians - from 6 months);
return air ticket (not a reservation) with a designated departure date;
travel voucher issued by a travel agency (or confirmation of hotel reservation);
confirmation of solvency at the rate of 50 US dollars for each day of stay;
tourist form (migration card), which is issued on the plane. It should be filled out in printed Latin letters in blue or black ink. The counterfoil of this form, which will be given to the tourist after passing through passport control, must be kept until the end of the trip;
You must fill out a health declaration 24 hours before arrival. When filling out, you need to attach a photo and the result of a PCR test for Covid-19. After filling out the declaration, you will receive a QR code, which is presented when going through passport control. Sample filling: arrival, departure.

If a traveler needs to stay in the Maldives for more than 30 days, a visa must be issued. To do this, you need to go to the immigration department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Maldives in Male 10 days before the expiration of the 30-day visa-free stay and obtain a tourist visa for 3 months. When submitting an application, you will have to provide 2 photos, proof of hotel payment and proof of solvency at the rate of $150 per day. The cost of a visa is 750 rufiyaa, the processing time is 5-10 days.

Embassy of the Maldives in Moscow

Questions from tourists

Good afternoon I read on the Internet that you can’t bring alcohol into the country. How seriously is it controlled? 4 answers

Is the consent of the second parent required for a child to travel to the Republic of Maldives with one of the parents? 5 answers

I'm going to fly to the Maldives to meet a man. He buys tickets in both directions. Do I need to present anything else at the airport to be allowed into the country? What points do you need to prepare and know? 2 answers

All questions

List of required documents

In 2021, to obtain a visa to the Maldives, a tourist must provide:

A foreign passport that will be valid for at least three more months from the date of completion of your vacation;
Tickets to Russia or a third country;
Application form in English. It can be obtained and filled out at the embassy. You can download the form on the official website of the embassy;
A tourist voucher, hotel reservation or other document that confirms the traveler’s availability of accommodation for the entire period of stay on the islands;
Two photographs measuring 3.5 by 4.5 cm with a light background, without corners or frames. The citizen's face should occupy no more than 80% of the image. You cannot be photographed wearing glasses or hats unless required by religion.

With the correct collection and execution of documents, entry permission is quite easy to obtain. If necessary, the ambassador may request additional data from the citizen.

Entry stamp to the Maldives. Despite the fact that there is a visa-free regime for visiting the country for up to 30 days, an entry permit is issued at the airport. A migration card is filled out with a number of questions regarding the trip, and an entry stamp is affixed to the international passport with the date of border crossing, which is used by migration services to monitor compliance with the permitted entry deadlines. The card stub must be kept for departure.

Applying for a visa on arrival

A tourist visa for entry to the Maldives for Russians, Ukrainians and Belarusians is issued free of charge upon arrival at the airport. Its validity period is 30 days.

Also, when passing border control you should have with you:

migration card (filled out on the plane);
confirmation of financial solvency (at the rate of 50 US dollars/24 hours);
travel voucher (can be replaced with a hotel room reservation);
return ticket with a designated departure date;
international passport.

Validity period of the passport

The validity of a foreign passport for citizens of Russia and Ukraine must be at least 6 months from the date of return to their homeland.

The validity of a foreign passport for citizens of Belarus is 3 months from the date of completion of the trip.

Requirements for the application form

It is mandatory for all citizens who want to visit the Maldives. This document will be checked first when considering the application. The form must be completed in English. If you cannot do this yourself, you can contact special centers that provide citizens with assistance in obtaining a visa. They will also help you fill out the form correctly or translate it.

Application form for a visa to the Maldives. A visa application form is filled out if the trip is planned for more than 30 days, and based on the results of the review, a single tourist visa is issued for any purpose of the trip (the opportunity to study or work, as a rule, is not provided). The application form is submitted with all the necessary documents to the Sri Lankan embassy, since the Republic of Maldives does not have its own representative office.

A tourist does not need a visa to the Maldives, but formalities will have to be followed

In fact, for vacationers, entry to the Maldives is visa-free (if the trip is not business and will last no more than 30 days). But you will have to go through passport control at the airport. Therefore, a tourist should know what documents are required in order to enjoy a paradise holiday in the Maldives.

• International passport (which is valid for at least 3 months from the moment the tourist arrives on vacation).

• Return ticket (with a specified return date).

• Tourist voucher or hotel confirmation of the tourist’s accommodation.

• Money (50 – 100 dollars per tourist per day). You can present either a bank account statement or cash.

• Completed tourist form. It can be issued on the plane or at the airport.

Upon arrival, you need to give the form and passport to the customs officer, and also have other documents from the list described above nearby. After control, the customs officer will return the form stub (be sure to keep it until departure).

Upon entry, Russian tourists will not need to pay any visa fees. But when you leave, after your vacation, you have to pay a fee (you must have cash). Only after this will you be able to check in your bags and receive your boarding pass. In order to check in for departure, you will need to present the following to the customs officer:

• An international passport with a valid validity period according to the rules.

• A receipt confirming the customs duty paid.

• A receipt from the application form completed upon arrival in the Maldives.

As you can see, you can go to the Maldives without any red tape with documents. Every Russian can enjoy a heavenly holiday for 30 days. But what if you need to stay longer?

Photo requirements

Compliance with image criteria also affects entry approval. When a citizen goes to take photos, he needs to warn the studio employee that the photos are needed for a visa.

Visa cost

In some cases, when visiting an island state, a foreigner will have to pay a fee, the amount of which depends on the purpose and length of stay in the Maldives. The fee is not charged if the duration of the trip is less than 30 days. When crossing the border, a stamp is placed in the passport, which records the date of entry. You need to pay in two cases:

When leaving. The fee will be $10 per person;
When applying for a tourist visa, the cost of which is $140.

After paying the fee, a check will be issued, which must be attached to the rest of the documents. After this, it will be possible to obtain a non-entry permit. The visa fee is not refundable in case of refusal by the embassy.

One of the beaches of the Maldives. White sandy beaches are located on the shores of coral islands and are the main tourist attractions of the island nation. Maldives beaches provide tourists with the opportunity to be in a calm atmosphere, relax well and enjoy the sea air, sun, palm trees and tropical fruits.

Valid term of a visa

Russian citizens are rarely issued a residence permit, so the visa validity period is short:

A tourist visa is valid for 30 days;
The maximum extension period will be 90 days.

If the entry permit expires and the foreigner does not leave the country, he will be forcibly sent back to his homeland. Next time it will be very difficult to get a visa to the Maldives.

Surfing in the Maldives. It is becoming increasingly popular in Maldivian resorts. Surfers can charter a boat to the nearest surf spots or book a safari yacht cruise to the best waves.

Is it possible to travel to the Maldives without a visa?

The question of whether our compatriots need a visa to the Maldives has not been relevant for many years. The island republic is open to tourists from most countries of the world, and a limited set of documents will be required for a guest visit:

A passport with a remaining validity of 90 days or more;
Migration card , filled out in PRINTED LATIN LETTERS in English - issued by flight attendants on the plane or at the border control counter;

A travel agency voucher or printed confirmation of a booked and paid hotel room for the entire planned period of the trip;
Confirmation of financial independence – from $150 per person per day in cash, or a statement from a foreign currency bank account for a similar amount;
$25 to pay the airport tax for departure from the country.

After inspection and mandatory customs inspection of luggage, foreigners FREE stamp for 30 days with the possibility of a one-time extension. This mark gives the right to freely move between the islands (except for areas included in private property), see the sights and live inside the tourist area.

Important: Medical insurance is not required, but it is highly recommended. And it’s not just about the climate and the risks of infections - not every island has hospitals or even pharmacies with the necessary medicines.

You won’t be able to work with a tourist visa – this is monitored by the relevant authorities, and illegal employment in any field is punishable by up to 10 years in prison.

Extension of stay on the islands

If a tourist wants to stay in the state for a longer period, he can do this a week before the end of the trip. Visa processing will take five days. To do this, you need to contact the country's immigration service and provide a certain package of documents. Thus, the citizen will be able to stay on the island. What to provide:

Two photographs taken in accordance with visa requirements;
Documents confirming the financial viability of the tourist;
Documents confirming the availability of housing;
Completed application form;
Valid passport;
Receipt for paid fee.

A visa to the Maldives for Russians can be extended if the foreigner has shown himself to be positive. He must not be found to have violated the law or participated in prohibited organizations.

Important detail: it is best to submit a visa extension request to a local resident of the country. In this case, the invited citizen will have a better chance of increasing the period of stay on its territory. The request can be submitted by a relative, employer or hotel where the tourist is vacationing.

Vilamendhoo Island was once uninhabited and is now home to a 4-star hotel and resort. Here you can see thickets of coconut palms, colorful fish in clear water and almost untouched nature. This place is ideal for diving enthusiasts. The island is located in the South Ari Atoll region, popular among travelers.

Extension of stay

For those wishing to stay in the country for a period longer than 30 days, a Maldives visa will be required. It is issued when extending your stay on the islands. The traveler must submit documents to the capital's immigration service (Male) no later than 10 days before the end of the visa-free period in the Maldives.

The following papers will be required:

Two color photos measuring 35x45 mm.
Statement.
Confirmation of hotel payment.
Financial guarantees based on covering daily expenses in the amount of $50.
A document confirming payment of the duty.

A tourist visa is issued for a 90-day period. The current period is unchanged, even if the tourist does not require such a long stay. This period also includes visa-free stay on the islands, so you can only stay in the country for two additional months.

The collected package of papers may be presented to third parties or hotel staff.

The cost of a visa is approximately $50 (in local currency - 750 Maldivian rufiyaa). The official processing time is 5 days excluding weekends and holidays. This is often done much faster.

Visa for a child

Russian citizens often choose the Maldives for family holidays and willingly take their children with them on trips. For such trips there are some rules and nuances that are worth considering:

A child may have his own foreign passport if it is not included in the parent’s foreign passport;
If children are included in the documents of adults, then there should be not only records, but photographs;
If a minor goes on a trip with one parent, the notarized consent of the second will be required to take the child out of the country;
If the trip is carried out with a third party, then a notarized consent of both parents will be required for the child to leave Russia;
Sponsorship letter.

Only with all the necessary documents will the child be able to travel to the Maldives with his parents or a third party. It is best for the minor to have his own passport.

Tropical cocktail in the Maldives. There are not only clean and snow-white beaches, combined with the turquoise coastal waters of the Indian Ocean, but also impeccable service in hotels. Most islands have only one hotel. Some of the busier islands have several hotels. At any hotel, tired guests are greeted with cold drinks (coconut milk or a tropical cocktail).

Rules for visa-free entry

When crossing the border, border control officers will place a stamp with the date of entry. Working on the island is strictly prohibited, as is staying longer than the permitted monthly period. Maldivians do not charge an entry fee. Most of the islands are open to visitors.

Holidays in the Maldives

What documents are needed for entry

The list of required documents is very small, similar to the standard requirements for a visa-free regime. You need to have with you:

international passport. The validity of the travel document must expire no earlier than six months from the date of entry into the state;
documentary evidence of housing availability (hotel reservation, tourist voucher) and financial solvency ($150 per day per person). The availability of funds can be demonstrated by providing a bank account statement;
tickets to Russia or to another country indicating the departure date of the flight;
a migration card filled out in advance, usually on the plane.

Despite a peaceful holiday on the islands, there can be no absolute certainty that you won’t need medical help. Addressing health problems if they arise will be very expensive. Therefore, it is advisable to take out insurance in advance.

To apply for an insurance policy on the Cherehapa online insurance website, choose the best option for yourself from the proposed list of reliable partners.

Documents for children

Traveling with children also does not cause any particular difficulties when crossing the border. The child must have a personal foreign passport or, if he is under 14 years old, the data can be entered in the parents’ passports.

If the minor is accompanied by only one parent, then the remaining parent draws up a notarized document indicating his consent for the child to travel abroad.

In the case when a small tourist travels to the Maldives without his father and mother (accompanied by a third party), then written permission certified by a notary is required from both parents.

Hotel in the Maldives

Possible problems in obtaining a visa

Russian citizens are rarely denied a visa without objective reasons, but problems still sometimes arise. The refusal may be due to:

lack of any document;
violation by a citizen of the laws of the country;
lack of funds in accounts;
expired passport;
an incorrectly taken photo;
filling out the form incorrectly;
importation of prohibited substances into the country by a citizen.

The most important thing is to correctly collect and fill out all the papers. The consul can call a citizen for a conversation, but this happens extremely rarely. Citizens of the Russian Federation are most often given a visa without any problems, and also, if necessary, they extend it.

Customs regulations

A Russian citizen needs to know the features of customs control in the Maldives. This is an Islamic state, and it is with this that some rules for the import and export of certain objects are associated.

It is prohibited to import into the country:

alcohol;
materials containing pornography;
narcotic and psychotropic substances;
pork;
weapons and any military paraphernalia;
materials aimed at inciting religious hatred;
explosive substances.

It is prohibited to export from the islands:

objects extracted from the bottom of the sea;
black corals;
turtle shells.

Food market in Male.
The local food market is located near the fish market, right on the coast. On its shelves you can see various types of fresh fruits and vegetables, a variety of local sweets and nuts, jars of pickles, and breadfruit chips. You are allowed to import into the Maldives:

no more than 120 ml of perfume per person;
no more than 200 cigarettes.

It is allowed to export from the country:

interior and design items;
jewelry;
souvenirs.

Customs officers are very attentive, so you should not try to smuggle prohibited items.

Grand Mosque - Male in the Maldives. This is a huge structure that can simultaneously accommodate up to five thousand people.

customs control

The country has a number of special bills that provide strict limits on the export or import of various items.

Entry rules include a ban on the import of the following products:

Various types of alcohol. The Maldives is a state with a Muslim religion. According to Islamic law, alcohol is a forbidden commodity.
Drugs.
Pornographic materials in any form. Even magazines are prohibited.
Explosive substances.
Different types of weapons - both cold and firearms.
Military paraphernalia.
Animals.
Pork, as well as all food products that contain this type of meat.
Products with an anti-Islamic direction.
Tools for spearfishing.

The following items of personal use are allowed to be imported:

Personal items (clothing, cosmetics).
Cigarettes, but their total quantity should not exceed 200 pieces per person.
Perfume products in limited volume - no more than 125 ml.
Money in any form. All types of currencies are allowed to be imported, except the national currency of the Maldives - Rupees.

The export of products from the territory of the island state is also quite strictly controlled by representatives of the customs service. The following are prohibited:

Black corals. The list of prohibited products also includes products that may contain this type of coral.
Items found while relaxing on the ocean floor.
Turtle shells, as well as all kinds of products made from them.

All of the above items can be taken out of the country if desired, but for this you must obtain special permission.

When leaving the country, you must remember that you will not be able to take out even a small amount in national currency. This is prohibited by current law. Therefore, if you have funds left in rupees, it is better to exchange them for dollars after your vacation.

Banknote of the Republic of Maldives - Maldivian rupee

Many people who visit this state have a desire to purchase and export souvenirs.

When leaving the country, the following products are allowed to be exported:

Souvenirs.
Products intended for interior decoration.
Jewelry.
Natural coconut oil.

Features of your stay

The Maldives has its own rules and regulations. A tourist should familiarize himself with them in advance so as not to get into an unpleasant situation on vacation. 10 features you need to know:

The country's national currency is the rufiyaa, but the dollar and euro are accepted.
The Maldives is a Muslim state. Therefore, tourists should dress in accordance with local traditions: wear closed clothes, do not expose intimate parts. Wide trousers and shirts, long skirts are suitable. Men should not have contact with Maldivian women.
It is unacceptable to insult other nationalities or incite religious hatred.
You cannot drink alcoholic beverages in public places. Alcohol is quite difficult to find in this country. Only some hotels sell strong drinks.
Women on the beach are not allowed to wear even one-piece swimsuits, much less a bikini. They should wear a cape or tunic when swimming.
There are very few pharmacies at the resort, so it is worth taking with you medicines and medications that you may unexpectedly need.
Before traveling to the resort, you must be vaccinated against hepatitis A.
Tourists should not forget about sunscreen and hats. An unprepared traveler will immediately get sunstroke or burns.
The local water is desalinated and spoils very quickly due to high temperatures, so it’s worth stocking up on liquid in advance.
The Maldives is considered a very expensive resort, so tourists need to carefully consider their budget.

For any violation of public order, a foreigner will be punished by local authorities or deported to their homeland without the right to re-enter the country, so it is worth following all the rules of the resort.

Medical policy

Another important point is a medical insurance policy or medical certificate. It is not included in the list of required documents for obtaining a visa, but it is better to take it with you. Anything can happen on vacation. Medicine in the Maldives is not affordable for everyone. In case of emergency, first aid will, of course, be provided, but further treatment will be very expensive. An insurance policy can be purchased in Russia. Typically, a coverage amount of $30,000 will be sufficient.

The Maldives resembles a work of art created by nature itself. Anyone can visit the coral islands and enjoy swimming in turquoise water: a visa-free regime makes the state open to tourists. To enjoy your vacation, you need to think through all the details of the trip in advance and, if necessary, prepare a package of documents.

Entry documents

An example of a bank statement about the account balance.
Despite the fact that entry into the state is visa-free, tourists must carry certain documents with them. Border guards at the airport require them. This:

Paid return air ticket.
Travel voucher or letter from the hotel confirming your reservation.
Cash ($50 for each planned day of stay): cash or bank statement.

It is better to prepare documents in advance. Tourists are required to fill out an immigration card. The form is available at the airport, however, to save time, you can ask for it on the plane.

Sample of filling out the Maldives migration card.