Last updated April 2026 · Verified against official sources
Maldives Visa Cost for Indians 2026, Complete Breakdown
The Maldives e-visa costs $0, approximately Rs 0 at current exchange rates. That is the complete government fee, paid once at the official portal, the same for single and multiple entry. There are no additional charges on the official site. The confusion about Maldives Visa cost almost always comes from agent websites that charge Rs 5,000 to Rs 10,000 for filling a 15-minute form you can complete yourself for Rs 0.
📑 In This Article
- All Maldives Visa Types and Their Fees
- Full 7-Day Trip Cost from India
- Hidden Costs Most Indians Miss
- 6 Ways to Reduce Your Maldives Trip Cost
- Frequently Asked Questions About Cost
- Maldives vs Other Southeast Asia Destinations for Indians
- Before You Apply, Final Checklist
- Common Mistakes Maldives Travelers Wish They Had Known
- Maldives Visa Guide by Departure City
Cost at a Glance
E-Visa Fee
Rs 0
~$0 · Non-refundable
Multiple Entry
Same Price
Always choose this
Via Agent
Rs 5,000+
Rs 3,000 to Rs 8,000 markup, avoidable
Refundable?
No
Non-refundable if rejected
All Maldives Visa Types and Their Fees
| Visa Type | Fee | Processing | Stay | Who Needs It |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tourist Visa on Arrival (Free for all nationalities) | Rs 0 | Instant at Velana International Airport | 30 days | All Indian tourists. No application in advance required. |
| Meeting Visa on Arrival (Free) | Rs 0 | Instant on arrival (must have pre-approved application from Maldives Immigration) | 14 days | Indians attending business meetings, conferences, conventions in the Maldives. From May 14, 2023. |
| Tourist Visa Extension (30 to 90 days) | Rs 63,000 | At Maldives Immigration office on a working day | 60 days | Travelers wanting more than 30 days in Maldives. Very expensive — Rs 63,000 for the extension. |
| Work Visa (employer-sponsored, e-Visa system) | Rs 0 | Work permit: 48 hours online. Work visa: 3 working days after passport submission | 365 days | Indians employed by Maldivian companies, resorts, government entities. Employer applies and pays fees. |
Full 7-Day Trip Cost from India
Maldives Trip Cost from India 2026 — Three Budget LevelsRangeTypical
IMUGA declarationFreeRs 0
Return flights — Mumbai/Delhi to MaleRs 12,000 to Rs 25,000Rs 17,000
Accommodation — guesthouse/budget resort (5 nights)Rs 17,500 to Rs 45,000Rs 28,000
Accommodation — mid-range resort (5 nights)Rs 1,00,000 to Rs 2,50,000Rs 1,60,000
Accommodation — overwater villa luxury (5 nights)Rs 4,20,000 to Rs 12,60,000Rs 6,00,000
Speedboat/seaplane transfer (both ways per couple)Rs 5,000 to Rs 42,000Rs 15,000
Food — local island restaurants (5 days)Rs 10,000 to Rs 20,000Rs 14,000
Food — resort all-inclusive (5 days)Included in package or Rs 40,000 to Rs 1,00,000 extraRs 60,000
Activities — snorkeling, diving, excursionsRs 5,000 to Rs 25,000Rs 12,000
Travel insurance, 5 daysRs 600 to Rs 1,500Rs 1,000
Total for 7 daysRs 80,000 to Rs 1,300,000Rs 200,000
Hidden Costs Most Indians Miss
Seaplane transfers for far-away luxury resorts
Luxury resorts in far atolls (North Male, Ari, Lhaviyani, Noonu) are 30 to 90 minutes from Male by seaplane. Seaplane transfer costs USD 150 to USD 250 per person one-way (Rs 12,600 to Rs 21,000 per person). Return for a couple: Rs 50,400 to Rs 84,000. Budget-minded travelers should specifically look for resorts within 30 to 45 minutes speedboat range of Male — these are accessible by free or cheap hotel speedboats instead of seaplanes.
Resort food and drinks are extremely expensive
Even in all-inclusive resorts, premium drinks, specialty restaurants, and spa services cost extra. A cocktail at a bar: USD 12 to USD 25 (Rs 1,000 to Rs 2,100). Room service: 20 to 30% surcharge. If you are not on a full all-inclusive package, food and drinks at a mid-range resort can add USD 100 to USD 200 per person per day to your bill. Always confirm what is and is not included in your resort package before arriving.
Diving and water sports add up fast
Diving is Maldives’ crown jewel. A single dive with equipment: USD 60 to USD 100 (Rs 5,040 to Rs 8,400). A 5-dive package: USD 250 to USD 400 (Rs 21,000 to Rs 33,600). Scuba certification course if you are not certified: USD 350 to USD 500 (Rs 29,400 to Rs 42,000). Whale shark snorkeling day trip: USD 60 to USD 90 per person. Budget these specifically if diving is a priority.
Currency: USD is de facto currency at resorts
Resort bills are in USD. Your Indian credit card converts at the live exchange rate plus 1 to 3.5% forex markup. A USD 1,000 resort bill costs Rs 84,000 at the exchange rate plus Rs 840 to Rs 2,940 in forex fees. Use a zero-forex card (Niyo Global, IDFC FIRST WOW) for all resort card payments to eliminate this markup. Local islands use Maldivian Rufiyaa for local shops — USD and Indian cards are widely accepted but carry some Rufiyaa for small purchases.
Visa extension is extraordinarily expensive
If you want to stay beyond 30 days, the extension costs USD 750 (approximately Rs 63,000) for an additional 60 days (total 90 days). This is one of the most expensive tourist visa extensions in Asia. Factor this in if planning a long stay — it is almost never worth it. Exit and re-enter for a fresh 30-day free VoA if you need more time.
Snorkeling equipment rental vs buying
Resorts charge USD 15 to USD 30 (Rs 1,260 to Rs 2,520) per day for snorkel mask and fins rental. Over 5 days: Rs 6,300 to Rs 12,600. Buying your own prescription snorkel mask or quality snorkel set in India before traveling costs Rs 2,000 to Rs 5,000 and serves you for life. If snorkeling is central to your Maldives experience, bring your own equipment.
What Agents Are Actually Doing
Every rupee above Rs 0 that a visa agent charges is for filling the same form available at the official portal. There is no special relationship with the Maldives government, no faster processing, no reduced rejection risk. Apply at https://imuga.immigration.gov.mv and save Rs 3,000 to Rs 8,000.
6 Ways to Reduce Your Maldives Trip Cost
1
Local islands cut cost by 60 to 70% versus resorts
The same Maldivian sea, the same reef fish, the same turquoise water — for a fraction of the price. Maafushi guesthouses: Rs 3,500 to Rs 7,000 per night including breakfast. Same reef-quality snorkeling. Day trips to sandbanks and uninhabited islands cost Rs 1,500 to Rs 3,000. Local restaurants: Rs 400 to Rs 800 per meal for fresh tuna and Maldivian curry. A couple spending 5 days on Maafushi spends Rs 1,00,000 to Rs 1,50,000 total including flights — versus Rs 4,00,000 to Rs 8,00,000 at a resort.
2
Fly from Kochi, Trivandrum, or Chennai — not Delhi or Mumbai
Flights from South Indian cities to Male are shorter and often cheaper. Kochi (Cochin) to Male: approximately 2 hours, return fares Rs 10,000 to Rs 18,000 booked 5 to 8 weeks ahead. Trivandrum: similar distance, often the cheapest gateway. Chennai: 2 to 2.5 hours, competitive fares. Delhi to Male is 4.5 hours and fares are Rs 5,000 to Rs 8,000 more expensive on average. If you can get to Kochi or Trivandrum cheaply (IndiGo domestic), the combined fare is often Rs 4,000 to Rs 7,000 cheaper than a direct Delhi-Male ticket.
3
Book all-inclusive packages rather than room-only at resorts
At resort islands, food and drinks are marked up 300 to 500% over normal prices. A single cocktail: USD 15 to USD 25. Room-only at a mid-range resort plus resort dining can cost Rs 20,000 to Rs 30,000 per person per day just for food. An all-inclusive upgrade from the same resort costs Rs 8,000 to Rs 12,000 more per person per day and covers unlimited food and most drinks. Always compare room-only plus food versus all-inclusive — all-inclusive almost always wins at Maldivian resorts.
4
Choose speedboat-accessible resorts — avoid seaplane resorts
Seaplane transfers cost Rs 12,600 to Rs 21,000 per person one-way. For a couple that is Rs 50,400 to Rs 84,000 just for airport transfers. Speedboat-accessible resorts within 30 to 45 minutes of Male charge Rs 2,520 to Rs 5,040 per couple return — saving Rs 45,000 to Rs 80,000 on transfers alone. Budget-conscious resort travelers should specifically filter for resorts accessible by speedboat. Most North Male Atoll resorts are speedboat-accessible.
5
Complete IMUGA yourself — never pay anyone for it
IMUGA Traveller Declaration is free at imuga.immigration.gov.mv and takes 5 minutes. Third-party websites and travel agents charge Rs 300 to Rs 1,500 for the same form. The official portal is imuga.immigration.gov.mv — if the URL is different, close the tab.
6
Split stay: 1 to 2 nights resort, rest on local island
A popular Indian traveler strategy: 1 or 2 nights at a mid-range resort for the overwater villa experience, then move to a local island guesthouse for the remaining days. This gives you the Instagram-worthy villa photo and experience plus the budget-friendly diving and beach time. Book both in advance and arrange your own transfer between the two.
7
Maldivian resorts have deep sale pricing in May to October
The wet season (May to October) brings lower resort rates — 30 to 60% cheaper than December to April peak. The weather is not as bad as the designation suggests: the Maldives is below the typhoon belt and rain typically comes in short afternoon bursts. The sea is slightly choppier but visibility underwater can actually be excellent. Budget-conscious couples can access mid-range resorts in May to October for the same price as local island guesthouses in peak season.
Frequently Asked Questions About Cost
What is the Maldives Visa cost in rupees for Indians in 2026?
$0 (approximately Rs 0). Same for single and multiple entry. Paid online at the official portal via international Visa or Mastercard. The fee is non-refundable. Third-party agents charge Rs 3,000 to Rs 8,000 extra for filling the same form, apply directly at https://imuga.immigration.gov.mv and save that amount.
Is the Maldives Visa fee refundable if rejected?
No. The Rs 0 fee is non-refundable whether your application is approved, rejected, or cancelled. You pay the same fee again when reapplying after a rejection. Getting the photo background right (white, not grey) and copying your name exactly from your passport prevents the most common rejection causes.
Does single entry cost less than multiple entry for Maldives?
Single entry costs Rs 0 ($0). Multiple entry costs Rs 0 ($0) if a separate type exists. Check the visa types table above for the exact fee for each entry type for Maldives.
Why do agents charge Rs 5,000+ for Maldives Visa when it costs Rs 0?
Agents fill the same 15-minute form available at the official portal for Rs 0. Their markup, Rs 3,000 to Rs 8,000, goes entirely as profit. You receive the identical visa in the identical timeframe. Apply at https://imuga.immigration.gov.mv yourself and keep the difference.
What is the total cost of a Maldives trip from India?
For a 7-day trip: visa Rs 0, flights Rs 50,250 to Rs 1,270,250, hotel Rs 17,500 to Rs 28,000, food and transport Rs 8,400 to Rs 14,000, extras Rs 5,000 to Rs 11,000. Total: Rs 80,000 to Rs 1,300,000.
Maldives vs Other Southeast Asia Destinations for Indians
| Country | Visa for Indians | Fee | Stay | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maldives | Free Visa on Arrival — all nationalities | Rs 0 | 30 days stay | Overwater villas, snorkeling, honeymoon, total escape |
| Sri Lanka | Free ETA at eta.gov.lk | Rs 0 | 30 days stay | Beaches, temples, hill country, wildlife, much cheaper |
| Thailand | Visa-free (open-ended) | Rs 0 | 30 days stay | Beaches, temples, nightlife — Phuket and Samui for beach |
| Bali Indonesia | e-VOA + Tourist Levy | Rs 3,380 | 30 days stay | Temples, rice terraces, wellness — beach is cheaper than Maldives |
| Seychelles | Permit on Arrival | Rs 0 | 30 days stay | Pristine beaches, rare birds, more accessible than Maldives but pricier |
Before You Apply, Final Checklist
Check These Before Submitting Payment
- Photo background is pure white, verified by zooming into corners. Use remove.bg if any grey. Saves Rs 0 reapplication cost.
- Name copied exactly from passport, full name including middle name, same capitalisation as bio-data page.
- Entry airport matches actual flight, checked against your flight booking or e-ticket, not memory.
- Passport number verified twice, character by character. O vs 0, I vs 1.
- Passport validity at least 6 months beyond entry date, check expiry date now.
- International transactions enabled on your card, in your bank app before opening the form.
- Entry type selected correctly, single or multiple depending on your itinerary. Check fees for each in the visa types table.
- Applying at least 14 days before travel, enough buffer for any rejection and reapplication.
Common Mistakes Maldives Travelers Wish They Had Known
Booking non-refundable flights before getting visa approval. The e-visa takes Instant at Velana International Airport but can extend during Vietnamese public holidays. Always wait for the approval email before booking flights you cannot cancel.
Using a travel agent for the e-visa. Agents in India charge Rs 3,000 to Rs 8,000 to fill a 15-minute form available at the official portal for Rs 0. The visa you receive is identical. Apply at https://imuga.immigration.gov.mv directly.
Printing only one copy of the approval letter. You need it at two points: the check-in counter at the Indian airport, and Maldives immigration on arrival. Print two copies and carry both.
Arriving at the airport with only a phone screen. Some immigration counters in Maldives do not accept phone screens. Physical printed copies are always accepted. Print before you leave home.
Choosing the wrong entry type. Single entry (Rs 0) is right for a Vietnam-only trip. Multiple entry (check visa types table for Maldives fee) is needed if you plan to exit to Cambodia or Laos and return. Confirm which you need before paying.
Maldives Visa Guide by Departure City
MumbaiCity-specific guide
DelhiCity-specific guide
BangaloreCity-specific guide
KolkataCity-specific guide
ChennaiCity-specific guide
HyderabadCity-specific guide
PuneCity-specific guide
AhmedabadCity-specific guide
JaipurCity-specific guide
LucknowCity-specific guide
DelhiCity-specific guide
BangaloreCity-specific guide
KolkataCity-specific guide
ChennaiCity-specific guide
HyderabadCity-specific guide
PuneCity-specific guide
AhmedabadCity-specific guide
JaipurCity-specific guide
LucknowCity-specific guide
Full Maldives Visa Guide
This page covers maldives visa cost for Indians 2026. For the complete Maldives visa guide with all topics: Maldives Visa for Indians 2026, Complete Guide
Apply for Maldives Visa
Cost: Rs 0. Processing: Instant at Velana International Airport. Apply at least 2 weeks before travel.
Official portal: https://imuga.immigration.gov.mv
Updated April 2026. For information only. Verify at official sources before booking travel.
📅 Last updated: May 24, 2026