Planning your dream trip to Baa Atoll, Malé, or Addu Atoll? Here's the best news before you book those flights from Delhi or Mumbai: the Maldives visa for Indian passport holders is the easiest in the world. There is no e-visa to apply for and no fee to pay — every Indian traveller gets a free 30-day visa on arrival at the airport. The only thing to do in advance is fill in a quick online arrival card called IMUGA.
Quick Answer
- Maldives visa for Indians: FREE 30-day visa on arrival, all nationalities
- Cost: No fee — ₹0
- Advance step: Submit the IMUGA arrival card within 96 hours before arrival
- Arrival airport: Velana International Airport (MLE)
- Validity: 30 days (extendable up to 90 days in-country)
- Passport: Valid 6 months + return ticket + confirmed booking
This complete guide walks you through everything — what the visa on arrival actually involves, how to fill the IMUGA form, the documents you need, and a few tips to breeze through immigration. By the end, you'll see just how simple Maldives entry is for Indians.
Do Indians Need a Visa for the Maldives? (Quick Answer)
No advance visa is required. The Maldives grants a free 30-day visa on arrival to all nationalities, including Indian passport holders. You simply land at Velana International Airport (MLE), present your passport, return ticket and booking, and the visa is stamped on the spot at no cost.
This applies everywhere you go — Malé, Hulhumalé, Addu Atoll, Maafushi, South Ari Atoll, Baa Atoll, Fulhadhoo and every resort island.
The One Thing to Do Before You Fly: IMUGA
While the visa itself is on arrival, the Maldives requires every traveller to complete an online Traveller Declaration through the official IMUGA portal. Think of it as a digital arrival/departure card.
- When: within 96 hours (about 3 days) before your arrival, and again before departure
- Cost: free
- What you enter: passport details, flight details, and your accommodation in the Maldives
- Result: a QR code to show on arrival
That's the only paperwork. There is no e-visa application, no photo upload, and no visa fee.
What You Get on Arrival
At immigration you receive a free 30-day tourist visa stamped in your passport. Thirty days is far more than almost any holiday needs, and if you ever want to stay longer, the visa can be extended up to 90 days by applying to Maldives Immigration from within the country before it expires.
Documents Required for the Maldives Visa on Arrival from India
Keep these ready — immigration may ask to see them:
- Indian passport valid for at least 6 months from your date of arrival
- A confirmed onward or return air ticket
- A confirmed booking for your stay (resort, hotel or guesthouse) for the duration of your trip
- The completed IMUGA arrival declaration (QR code on your phone)
- Proof of sufficient funds for your stay — or a prepaid all-inclusive booking
Step-by-Step: Entering the Maldives as an Indian
Step 1: Book Your Trip
Confirm your flights to Malé (MLE) and your accommodation. A confirmed booking is required for entry — our packages take care of this end to end.
Step 2: Submit the IMUGA Form
Within 96 hours before departure, complete the Traveller Declaration on the official IMUGA portal and save the QR code.
Step 3: Fly to Velana International (MLE)
Direct flights from Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Cochin, Chennai and Hyderabad reach Malé in around 3.5-4.5 hours.
Step 4: Clear Immigration
Show your passport, return ticket, booking and IMUGA QR code. The officer stamps your free 30-day visa — no fee, no queue for a separate visa counter.
Step 5: Transfer to Your Island
Continue by speedboat, domestic flight or seaplane to your resort or island. Seaplanes operate in daylight hours only, so book flights that arrive before dusk where possible.
Common Questions Indian Travellers Ask
- Is there really no visa fee? Correct — the 30-day visa on arrival is free. You only pay normal departure taxes and Green Tax, which are usually built into your ticket or resort bill.
- Do I need passport photos? No. There is no photo upload or sticker visa for a standard tourist arrival.
- What if I have a long layover via another country? The visa is still issued on arrival in the Maldives regardless of your routing, as long as you have a confirmed onward ticket.
- Can my whole family enter the same way? Yes — every traveller, including children, gets the free visa on arrival; just complete an IMUGA form for each.
- Beware of fake "Maldives e-visa" websites: the Maldives has no paid tourist e-visa. Any site charging a fee for one is not official.
Documents Checklist
- Indian passport valid for at least 6 months from arrival
- Confirmed return/onward ticket
- Confirmed accommodation booking
- Completed IMUGA arrival declaration (QR code)
- Sufficient funds or a prepaid all-inclusive booking
Final Thoughts: The Easiest Holiday Visa There Is
Getting into the Maldives could hardly be simpler for Indians. With a free 30-day visa on arrival, no e-visa, no fee, and just a quick IMUGA form to fill before you fly, there's nothing standing between you and the world's most beautiful lagoons.
Pro tip from our team at BookMaldivesHoliday: complete your IMUGA declaration the day before you fly so the QR code is ready on your phone, and keep your return ticket and booking confirmation handy at immigration.
Ready to plan your trip? Explore our handcrafted itineraries covering Baa Atoll resorts, Malé city walks, Maafushi sandbank trips, and the whale sharks of South Ari Atoll. Need help with IMUGA or transfers? Our travel experts guide you free of cost. Ready to start planning? View our Maldives holiday packages from India with arrival formalities handled end-to-end.
Have questions about your Maldives visa? Drop them in the comments below — we reply within 24 hours.
