Malé, Maldives – The Maldives Immigration, today, released the travel requirements for tourists originating from South Asian countries after a temporary ban on arrivals.
Maldives previously stopped accepting tourist arrivals from the South Asian region due to the increasing number of Covid-19 cases in the region. However, the government now informs that that they gave decided to commence accepting tourist arrivals from South Asia.
Effective 15th July 2021, tourists originating from South Asian countries (Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka) are allowed to travel to the Maldives. However, tourists travelling from South Asian countries are not permitted to check in or stay at tourist facilities in inhabited islands until 30th July 2021.
All tourists, including those who have completed the prescribed dose(s) of Covid19 vaccines, must hold a negative result for a nucleic acid test (PCR test) for Covid19, with a sample taken within 96 hours prior to departure to the Maldives from the first port of embarkation en-route to the Maldives. However, children below one year old are exempt from the requirement of the PCR test. Tourists should also comply with other entry requirements to the Maldives.
Maldives temporarily stopped issuing tourist visas to South Asian tourists on 13th May due to the deteriorating Covid-19 situation in the region. This includes countries such as India and even the Maldives itself with record number of daily positive cases.
With the curve flattening in Maldives, the island destination is now welcoming tourists from South Asia including the number one source market in 2021, India, prior to travel restrictions for the region.
