How to Apply for Maldives Visa from India , Step-by-Step 2026

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Last updated April 2026 · Verified against official sources

How to Apply for Maldives Visa from India, Step-by-Step Guide 2026

The Maldives e-visa application is entirely online and takes about 20 minutes to complete. No embassy visit, no courier, no biometrics appointment. The two steps that trip up most Indian applicants are the photo background (Vietnam requires white, Indian studios use grey) and the credit card settings (most Indian banks disable international transactions by default). Sort both before you open the form and the remaining steps are straightforward.

📑 In This Article
  1. Prepare These Before Opening the Form
  2. Step-by-Step Application Guide
  3. After Your Application, Tracking and Receiving Approval
  4. Frequently Asked Questions About Applying
  5. Maldives vs Other Southeast Asia Destinations for Indians
  6. Before You Apply, Final Checklist
  7. Common Mistakes Maldives Travelers Wish They Had Known
  8. Maldives Visa Guide by Departure City
Application, Key Facts
Portal
Official Site
https://imuga.immigration.gov.mv
Time Required
20 minutes
When documents are prepared
Fee
Rs 0
Visa or Mastercard only
Processing
Instant at Velana International Airport
Apply 2 weeks before travel

Prepare These Before Opening the Form

Do This First, Before Opening the Application

1. Enable international payments on your card. Open your bank app and enable international online transactions. HDFC: Cards, Manage Card, International Usage, enable E-Commerce. SBI YONO: Cards, Manage Card, Transaction Limits. If you skip this, your card declines after 15 minutes of form filling.

2. Fix your photo background. Go to remove.bg, upload your passport photo, download the white-background JPEG. Zoom in on the result and check all corners, no grey patches. This prevents the most common rejection cause.

3. Open your passport and keep it visible throughout. You will need to copy your full name exactly, passport number character by character, and entry airport from your flight booking.

Step-by-Step Application Guide

1
Book hotel or resort first — this is the foundation
The Maldives Visa on arrival hinges entirely on having confirmed accommodation. Book before anything else. Decide: resort island experience or local island guesthouse? Resort: browse MakeMyTrip, Thomas Cook, or contact resorts directly. For honeymoons and first-time visitors, consider all-inclusive packages that bundle flights, speedboat/seaplane, accommodation, and meals — less stressful and often better value than booking separately. Local island: book via Booking.com directly (filter by Maafushi, Thulusdhoo, or Dhigurah for the most popular islands). Confirm your booking — not just a hold.

2
Book return flights after confirming accommodation
Direct flights from India to Velana International Airport (Male — airport code MLE): IndiGo, Air India, SriLankan Airlines, and Maldivian operate direct routes from Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Kochi, Trivandrum, Chennai, Hyderabad. Flight time from Mumbai: 3.5 hours. Chennai and Kochi: 2 to 2.5 hours. Delhi: 4.5 hours. Book at least 4 to 6 weeks ahead for best fares. Budget flights to Male start at Rs 12,000 return from Mumbai if booked 6 to 8 weeks ahead.

3
Complete IMUGA Traveller Declaration within 96 hours before arrival
Go to imuga.immigration.gov.mv. Click Traveller Declaration, then New Declaration. Enter your passport details exactly as printed, flight details, and accommodation name in the Maldives. Submit. Save the confirmation email or note the reference number. Do not use any third-party service or website for this — it is free on the official portal and takes 5 minutes. Also complete a departure IMUGA declaration within 96 hours before your return flight.

4
Prepare documents for immigration on arrival
Have ready: passport (minimum 1 month validity), IMUGA confirmation, hotel or resort booking confirmation showing your complete stay, and return flight ticket. All on your phone, all accessible without fumbling. Know the name of your resort or guesthouse and the island it is on — immigration may ask.

5
Arrange resort/island transfer in advance
This step most Indians overlook. Velana International Airport is in Male. Your resort or guesthouse island is elsewhere — sometimes 20 minutes away by speedboat, sometimes 45 minutes by seaplane. Resorts typically arrange their own transfers (confirm this when booking). For local island guesthouses: book a speedboat transfer from the guesthouse directly (Rs 840 to Rs 2,520 per person) or take the cheaper public ferry (Rs 50 to Rs 250 but runs on fixed schedules, very slow). Confirm transfer arrangements before flying.

6
At Velana International Airport immigration
Join the immigration queue at Velana International Airport. Hand over passport. Officer checks your hotel booking and return ticket — have both visible on your phone. Provide IMUGA confirmation if asked. Answer: which island/resort are you staying at, how many days. Passport stamped for 30 days. Collect luggage. Proceed to transfer area: your resort boat pickup point or the public ferry terminal.

After Your Application, Tracking and Receiving Approval

Check your application status at https://imuga.immigration.gov.mv using the “Check E-Visa Status” option with your application code and passport number. The status will show Processing, Approved, or Rejected. Most Indian applicants receive a decision within Instant at Velana International Airport.

When approved, download the PDF from your email immediately. Print two copies before you fly, one for the Indian airport check-in counter, one for Maldives immigration. The letter has a QR code that officers scan to verify your visa. Make sure the printout is clear enough for the scanner to read it.

Frequently Asked Questions About Applying

Can I save the Maldives Visa application and complete it later?
The portal has a save feature but it is not always reliable on mobile browsers. Have all documents ready and complete the application in one 20-minute session.
Can I change my entry airport after paying?
No. The application is locked after payment. If your plans change, you need a fresh application and pay Rs 0 again. This is why verifying the entry airport against your actual flight booking before paying is critical.
My card was declined. What do I do?
Open your bank app and enable international online transactions, this is disabled by default at most Indian banks. HDFC: Cards, Manage Card, International Usage, enable E-Commerce. SBI YONO: Cards, Manage Card, Transaction Limits. If still failing, use a family member’s Visa or Mastercard.
Do I need to print the Maldives Visa approval letter?
Yes, print two physical copies. One for the check-in counter at your Indian departure airport, one for immigration in {c[‘name’]}. Some counters do not accept phone screens.
What if I don’t receive approval email after 3 business days?
Check your spam folder first. Then check status at https://imuga.immigration.gov.mv using your application code. If status shows Processing after 5 business days, this may indicate an issue, contact Maldives Immigration via the email on the official portal.

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
Full Maldives Visa Guide

This page covers how to apply for maldives visa from india. 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.

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📅 Last updated: May 24, 2026