Requirements for entry into the Maldives

Entering the Maldives is an immersion into a true vacation paradise. Before you immerse yourself in this magical world, it is important to familiarize yourself with some mandatory requirements to ensure your safety and comfort, as well as respect for local customs.

Whether it's your vacation, a business trip or a visit to relatives with children or pets, familiarize yourself in advance with immigration regulations and required vaccinations. In this section, you will find all the information you need about Maldives' visa policy, entry regulations with children and pets, and procedures for transit through the country's airports.

We will also provide you with contact details of diplomatic missions for additional support. With our detailed guide, you can be prepared for everything, avoiding potential legal issues and focusing solely on enjoying your tropical paradise.

Get ready for a carefree and exciting adventure in the Maldives by following our recommendations.

If you are planning a vacation to the Maldives, it is important to familiarize yourself with the visa requirements. Most travelers are lucky: the Maldives offers entry for most international tourists under the visa on arrival system, which is valid for up to 30 days, making travel to this paradise island extremely easy.

However, if you plan to stay in the Maldives for more than 30 days, you will need to apply for a visa extension at the Maldives Immigration Department office. Extensions can be up to 60 days and usually require proof of accommodation booking and sufficient funds for your stay.

Keep in mind that while the Maldives visa process is relatively simple, you must always have a valid passport with a validity of at least 6 months from the date of your intended departure from the country.

Ultimately, obtaining a visa to travel to the Maldives is a fairly straightforward procedure. However, don't forget to keep up to date with the latest changes in visa regulations to ensure your vacation goes smoothly and without hassle.

The Maldives does not require mandatory vaccinations for travelers arriving on holiday throughout the year. However, there is one exception to this - yellow fever vaccination. The requirement to have a certificate of vaccination against the disease only applies to those coming from countries where yellow fever is endemic. Such regions include South America and Central Africa.

When entering the Maldives, all travelers must complete an immigration arrival card in the correct order. In the Health information section of the card, you must indicate whether you have visited a yellow fever country in the last 14 days. If so, you must show a valid certificate of immunization against the disease.

Immigration cards are usually handed out on board the plane before you arrive in the Maldives. If for some reason you did not receive or fill it out during the flight, you can do so upon arrival at the airport in the city you are traveling to.

In the health information section, travelers should also indicate the countries they have visited in the last two weeks before arriving in the Maldives. This information is important to keep track of potential risks of spreading infectious diseases.

Thus, the Maldivian authorities are closely monitoring the epidemiological situation and are taking the necessary measures to protect the health of both locals and visitors to the islands. With the exception of yellow fever, there are no strict mandatory vaccination requirements for most travelers planning a family, romantic or any other type of vacation in the Maldives. During the high season and good weather season, you will need to take care of booking your villa or hotel room in advance, as well as buying airline tickets for your flight to avoid unexpected travel expenses.

Recommended vaccinations for travel to the Maldives are:

It is important to note that these recommendations are general in nature. Before traveling, be sure to consult your physician to determine your individual vaccination needs based on your health status, length of travel, planned routes, and other factors.

The Maldives is a great place for a family vacation where you can enjoy clean air, beautiful beaches and incredible underwater world. If you're planning a trip with kids to the Maldives, here are a few important things to consider.

First, children traveling alone must have an entry permit (document) signed and attested by both parents in English. This requirement is in place to ensure the safety of the children.

Secondly, if you have children under the age of 15, they can enter the Maldives with their children's passports. But if the child is above 15 years of age, they must have their own passport to enter.

To ensure the comfort and safety of young travelers, it is important to take care of a set of necessary medicines, sun protection, as well as select weather-appropriate clothing and other accessories in advance. The cost of such expenses may vary depending on how many things you plan to take with you.

Before traveling, it is recommended to carefully study the features of the selected resort complex: the presence of children's clubs, playgrounds, animation programs and other entertainment aimed at families with children. It is also worthwhile in advance to familiarize yourself with the conditions of accommodation, room amenities and hotel infrastructure in terms of staying with underage guests.

Careful preparation, taking into account all the details and nuances will make your vacation in the Maldives with children as comfortable, safe and memorable as possible. Having taken all the necessary precautions, you will be able to fully enjoy the magnificent nature of the islands and spend an unforgettable time with your family.

If you are planning a trip to the Maldives with your pet, you need to prepare carefully in advance. First, assess how the hot and humid climate of the Maldives will affect your pet. Not all pets can feel comfortable in such weather all year round.

An important point is that it is illegal to import dogs into the Maldives. However, you can import other pets such as cats, birds, rodents, reptiles, fish and some other species.

Microchipping is not a mandatory requirement, but it is highly recommended that your pet be microchipped before traveling for identification in case of emergencies.

Rabies vaccination is mandatory - this must be done no earlier than 30 days prior to arrival in the Maldives. Other vaccinations may also be required depending on the country of departure and the type of animal. Rabies antibody titer testing is not required.

A health certificate certified by the state veterinary authority of the country of departure is required. Special import permits are usually not required.

When traveling by air, the pet will arrive at Male Airport on the island of Hulhule. Cats can fly in the cabin, in luggage or in the cargo hold. On arrival, a veterinarian will inspect them for diseases.

You should check the import regulations for your particular species, especially if it is a rare or CITES protected species - additional documentation may be required.

There is virtually no veterinary service for pets in the Maldives. There are only a few specialists, but mostly for farm animals. For veterinary services for pets, you can go to clinics in Sri Lanka, which occasionally provide assistance in the Maldives.

In general, traveling with a pet to the Maldives is possible for many types of pets, except dogs, but requires serious preparation and consideration of local conditions.

If you are planning to take your pet with you to the Maldives, you should be aware of and comply with local customs regulations. First of all, you need to obtain a pet import permit from the Maldives Ministry of Fisheries, Agriculture and Marine Breeding. When applying, provide the following information:

• The species, breed, age, sex and weight of the animal;
• country of origin and itinerary;
• details of the stay in the Maldives, including place of residence.

It is important to provide an international veterinary passport, which should include:

• current vaccinations, especially against rabies;
• parasite treatment carried out 48 hours prior to departure;
• a health certificate issued by a veterinarian within 10 days prior to entry into the Maldives.

Please note that the Maldives government pays special attention to preventing the importation of infectious diseases, so your pet may be examined by specialists before entry.

Customs regulations when leaving the Maldives

When leaving the country with your pet, there are also certain rules to follow. You will need to obtain an export permit from the local authorities. In addition to this, make sure that your pet has all the necessary vaccinations and documents that are required to enter the next country.

Consult a veterinarian in the Maldives to find out about possible requirements when leaving the country, such as parasite re-treatment or additional vaccinations. Also contact the airline you plan to use to find out about pet transportation terms and conditions.

It is important to prepare in advance for traveling with your pet to the Maldives to avoid problems with customs and to ensure your pet's comfort during the flight and stay in the islands. Compliance with customs regulations when entering and leaving the Maldives will ensure the safety and comfort of your pet and allow you to enjoy your vacation in the paradise islands.

When planning your trip to the Maldives, it is important to consider flight times and the availability of direct flights, especially if you prefer a more comfortable and quicker option. Despite the fact that the Maldives is not the most remote part of the world, it is still not easy to get to from various countries around the world.

If you are flying from Germany, it is worth considering that most flights from this country to the Maldives include one or two connections. These are usually at major airports such as Dubai, Doha or Abu Dhabi. The connecting time can range from a few hours to several dozen hours, depending on the route and airline chosen. From Germany to Maldives, direct flights are offered by Lufthansa and Condor. These flights provide a more comfortable and faster flight without unnecessary connections and waits.

Direct flights to Maldives from different parts of the world are offered only from a limited number of cities. For example, from Europe, direct flights are mainly from London, Paris and Frankfurt. From the US, you will usually have to make a connection in one of the European or Asian cities.

Traveling to the Maldives can take anywhere from 10 to 20 hours, depending on the itinerary, length of connections, and waiting times at airports. It is also important to consider the time difference, especially if you are crossing multiple time zones. The Maldives has a UTC+5 time zone, so it's worth taking this time into account when planning your arrival.

So, before you go to the Maldives, it is important to carefully plan your itinerary and choose the best flight time and number of connections to make your trip as comfortable and enjoyable as possible. After all the preparations, you can enjoy a beach vacation and the incredible beauty of the Maldives.

Maldives airport transit areas are specially designed areas where passengers can comfortably wait for their next flight without leaving the country. All the necessary amenities for passengers are provided here, including stores, restaurants, rest areas and other services.

The main airport of Maldives is Velana International Airport, located on the island of Velana. Here is the main transit area equipped with everything necessary for a comfortable stay: a large selection of duty-free stores, restaurants and cafes with a variety of cuisine, comfortable recreation areas, free Wi-Fi throughout the territory, 24-hour medical centers, VIP lounges for business class passengers, prayer rooms and play areas for children.

It is important to note that if the time in the transit zone does not exceed 24 hours, a transit visa is not required. Otherwise, passengers should obtain a transit visa in advance from a consulate or embassy in the Maldives.

Some resort islands in the Maldives do not have airports. In this case, domestic air and sea transportation is used to transfer between the main airport in Velana and the destination.

Thus, the transit areas of Maldives airports offer passengers maximum comfort and all the necessary amenities for a pleasant stay while waiting for their next flight, providing paradise comfort and the highest level of service on this hospitable island.

The Honorary Consulate of Germany operates in the Maldives to represent the country's interests and provide consular services to its citizens. It is the only German diplomatic office located directly in the Maldives.

Contact details of the Honorary Consulate of Germany in Male':

Address: H. Aage' 3rd Floor, Rahdhebai Magu, Male 20113, Republic of Maldives

Telephone: +960 334 8487, +960 334 8488

Fax: +960 334 8489

E-mail: male@hk-diplo.de.

Important information:

• Honorary Consul: Mr. Ahmed Ziyawuddin
• Opening hours: Sunday - Thursday from 8:00 to 16:00 (break from 12:00 to 13:00).
• Pre-registration for an appointment is mandatory
• After hours/emergency: +960 777 3758

Main services of the Honorary Consulate:

• Assistance to German citizens in emergency situations
• Issuance of travel visas for transit through Germany
• Certification of documents
• Promotion of trade and economic relations

Please note: The Honorary Consulate does not issue visas to Germany or deal with citizenship issues. For these services, please contact the German Embassy in Sri Lanka, which is accredited in the Maldives.

Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany in Colombo, Sri Lanka

• Address: 40 Bagatelle Road, Colombo 3, Sri Lanka
• Tel: +94 11 2588388
• Fax: +94 11 2588399
• E-mail: info@colombo.diplo.de

Thus, despite the absence of a full-fledged embassy, the diplomatic interests of Germany and its citizens in the Maldives are represented and safeguarded by the Honorary Consulate in the capital Male'.

The Maldives is a paradise on Earth, an ideal destination for those who dream of a vacation amidst white sandy beaches, azure lagoons and lush tropical plants. This archipelago of over 1000 coral islands is located in the Indian Ocean and is one of the most popular destinations for divers, snorkelers and those simply wishing to enjoy the solitude of a private island. The Maldives offers a variety of accommodation from budget gesthouses to luxury villas on the water, making vacations here accessible to a wide range of travelers.