Maldives Traveller Declaration Checklist — Imuga Arrival Rules
Every traveller to the Maldives submits a Traveller Declaration through the official Imuga system, and visas are handled online. This checklist sets out the declaration window, the passport step and the e-visa service that Maldives Immigration publishes. Verified against Maldives Immigration (Imuga), October 2026.
The mandatory Traveller Declaration
The Traveller Declaration is a mandatory form that must be submitted within 96 hours of arrival or departure. Submit it through the official Imuga portal before you travel. Keep the confirmation (and any QR code) to show on arrival.
Completing the declaration
The form walks through a few steps:
- Scan your passport — drop the passport data page into the form. The portal states the scan is used solely to complete the declaration and is not stored or shared for any other purpose.
- Choose the purpose of your visit — one of: Holiday (leisure and vacation), Employment, Dependent, Business, Official or Diplomatic, Conference, Sponsorship, or Crew.
- Submit the declaration and save the confirmation.
Visas are handled online
Maldives Immigration runs an online visa service: apply online to skip the queues, with a standard processing time of about 48 hours and a fully digital application. You can verify an existing e-visa using your passport number, country and date of birth, or by scanning the QR code on the visa document — no account is needed.
Before you travel
Confirm whether you need a visa, submit the Traveller Declaration within the 96-hour window, scan your passport in the form, and save the confirmation. Make sure the passport you travel on matches the details you entered in the declaration.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a visa for the Maldives?
Many visitors travel under visa-free arrangements, but the Maldives Immigration site does not publish a per-country list in the pages we verified. If you need a visa, apply through the Imuga online service. Confirm your own nationality's requirement before you travel.
When do I submit the Traveller Declaration?
Within 96 hours of your arrival or departure. It is a mandatory declaration, submitted through the official Imuga portal.
Does the Traveller Declaration cost anything?
The declaration itself is not a paid visa. Where a visa is required, it is applied for separately through the Imuga online visa service.
Which purpose of visit should I choose?
Pick the option that matches your trip — for example Holiday for leisure and vacation travel, Business for business activities, Conference for a seminar, Employment for work, or one of the other listed categories.
How do I verify an existing e-visa?
Use the Imuga verification tool: enter your passport number, country and date of birth, or scan the QR code on the visa document. No account is needed.
What information do I need for the declaration?
Your passport (you scan its data page into the form) and your trip details such as your purpose of visit. The passport details must match the passport you travel on.
Check any passport photo you need against the rejection reasons guide and the passport photo checker, browse the photo size chart, and shoot at home with the at-home photo guide. Digital upload rules are in the digital file requirements.
Source note: the 96-hour Traveller Declaration window, the passport scan step, the purpose-of-visit options and the online e-visa service (about 48-hour processing) are from the Maldives Immigration pages imuga.immigration.gov.mv (declaration and visa pages, checked October 2026).