Indians to visit Maldives visa free for business purposes

President Mohamed Ibrahim Solih and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi seen taking to each other during President Solih's oath taking ceremony | Photo: Maldives Independent

Malé, Maldives – Effective from 1 February 2022, the Government of Maldives has initiated the process of granting Indian Nationals visa free entry for business purposes, for a period not exceeding the visa free period of 90 days, stipulated in the Agreement on the Facilitation of Visa Arrangements between the Government of Maldives and the Government of India signed on 17 December 2018.

As part of the reciprocal arrangement, a multiple entry, non-resident, business visa shall be granted for Indian Nationals for a period of 90 days within 6 months. Any Indian National with an approved business visa is eligible to renew their visa up to 180 days within a calendar year. This is in addition to the visa free period of 90 days stipulated in the bilateral agreement.

Business visa application shall be lodged with the Ministry of Economic Development through the business portal prior to expiry of visa free entry period. Business visa shall be renewed prior to expiry of an existing approval. An employment approval shall be obtained by any Indian National holding a business visa whose allowable business visa stay exceeds 180 days within a calendar year.