Maldives Traveler Declaration

Q: What is the Maldives Traveler Declaration?

It is the official IMUGA Traveller Declaration — a mandatory online self-declaration you submit within 96 hours before arriving in the Maldives. The form collects passport details, flight information, and accommodation data. After submission you receive a QR code confirmation to present at check-in and immigration. Start your declaration now for guided completion with expert document review.

Q: Who needs the Maldives Traveler Declaration?

All foreign nationals who will clear arrival immigration must submit the form within 96 hours before arrival. This includes tourists, business visitors, and returning Maldivian nationals. Transit travelers staying airside are exempt. See Maldives visa information .

Q: How long is the IMUGA declaration valid?

The declaration is tied to your specific trip and the flight details you enter. It is not a long-term document — you need a new submission for each visit to the Maldives. Submit within the 96-hour window before your arrival flight time.

Q: Can I extend my stay in the Maldives after arriving?

The declaration itself does not set your length of stay — it is a pre-arrival registration. Most tourists receive a 30-day tourist visa on arrival . Extensions up to 90 days can be requested through Maldives Immigration , subject to approval. A new declaration is not needed for the extension.

Q: What happens if I arrive without the declaration?

You will be required to complete it at the immigration counter before clearance, causing significant delays and potentially missed resort speedboat or seaplane transfers. Most airlines serving the Maldives also verify the IMUGA confirmation at check-in — without it, boarding may be delayed or denied. Apply online before you fly to avoid last-minute stress.

Q: Can I edit or correct the form after submission?

Yes — IMUGA provides an official edit function. If you spot a typo in your passport number, flight details, or hotel name, use the government edit page at IMUGA edit and re-save your updated confirmation.

Q: Is a departure declaration required when leaving the Maldives?

No. The outbound departure requirement was abolished on August 15, 2024 . Only the inbound arrival submission is now required. Confirm the latest rules on the IMUGA portal before travel.

Q: Which airports and seaports accept this document?

Present your confirmation at immigration at any Maldives port of entry. The main international airports are Velana International Airport (MLE) , Gan International Airport (GAN) , and Maafaru International Airport (NMF) . Travelers arriving by sea present it at the port of entry.

Q: Can I transit through the Maldives without the declaration?

If you remain in the international transit area at the airport and do not clear Maldives immigration, you do not need the IMUGA form. If you leave the transit zone — even for a few hours — you must complete the declaration before entry.

Q: Do children need their own Maldives Traveler Declaration?

Yes. Each traveler needs their own submission, including infants and minors. A parent or guardian completes the form on their behalf. Maldives authorities also require that children have their own passport to enter. See Maldives Immigration .

Complete your Maldives Traveler Declaration online via IMUGA before arrival — submitted electronically and processed in as fast as 30 minutes with expert review.

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What Is the Maldives Traveler Declaration?

The Maldives Traveler Declaration (IMUGA) is a mandatory online pre-arrival form that every international visitor must submit within 96 hours before entering the Maldives. Managed by Maldives Immigration through the IMUGA (Immigration Maldives Global Application) platform, this digital declaration replaced the paper-based arrival and departure cards previously collected on inbound flights. The form must be submitted electronically within 96 hours (4 days) before your scheduled arrival time.

The declaration is completed at imuga.immigration.gov.mv or through DoVisa for guided completion with document checks and expert review. You will need your passport details (full name, nationality, passport number, and MRZ data), flight information (airline, flight number, arrival date and time), accommodation details (resort or guesthouse name and booking confirmation), and basic customs and health declarations. After submission, you receive an electronic confirmation with a QR code — save it on your phone and email, as airlines serving the Maldives routinely verify it at check-in and immigration officers scan it on arrival at Velana International Airport (MLE) or any other Maldives port of entry.

The Maldives Traveler Declaration is not a visa and does not grant entry by itself. Maldives issues a tourist visa on arrival (up to 30 days) for eligible visitors who meet the entry requirements — valid passport, confirmed accommodation, return ticket, and sufficient funds. Immigration clearance is decided at the port of entry based on your documents, travel history, and declaration data. A key recent change: the outbound departure declaration was abolished on August 15, 2024, so only the inbound arrival submission is now required. If you need to correct any details after submission, IMUGA provides an official edit function before your travel date.

Review Maldives visa information for broader entry rules and confirm the latest submission window on the IMUGA portal. When you're ready, apply for your IMUGA declaration now.

Who Needs the Maldives Traveler Declaration?

Who Needs It

All foreign nationals arriving in the Maldives who will clear arrival immigration
Tourist visitors receiving the visa on arrival — must submit the IMUGA form within 96 hours before arrival
Children and minors (a parent or guardian completes a separate submission for each child)
Travelers arriving with a pre-approved sponsorship or work visa who enter through an immigration checkpoint

Who Is Exempt

Transit travelers who remain airside and do not clear Maldives arrival immigration
Airline and vessel crew on active official duty

Maldives Entry Requirements & Restrictions

Passport & MRZ Requirements

Your passport must have a Machine Readable Zone (MRZ) and at least 1 month validity on arrival. Passports with extended validity are not accepted for entry. See Maldives Immigration.

Itinerary, Accommodation & Funds

You must show a confirmed return or onward ticket, a prepaid booking at a registered resort or guesthouse, and proof of sufficient funds for the duration of your stay. See the official checklist at Entry to Maldives.

Yellow Fever Vaccination

A Yellow Fever Vaccination Certificate is required if arriving from or transiting 12+ hours through a country with yellow fever risk. Children under 1 year are exempt per Maldives authorities. See CDC Maldives.

Customs & Prohibited Items

Maldives prohibits importing alcohol (without approval), pork products, idols for worship, bibles and religious materials contrary to Islam, pornographic material, and narcotics. E-cigarettes and vaping devices are banned and will be confiscated. See Maldives Customs.

Health Advice

Dengue fever is a year-round risk — use insect repellent and wear light long sleeves at dawn and dusk. Review current health alerts for measles/MMR and other recommendations on the CDC Maldives traveler page.

Travel Tips for Maldives Visitors

The Maldives is a chain of roughly 1,200 coral islands grouped into 26 atolls in the Indian Ocean, straddling the equator southwest of India. Most international visitors arrive at Velana International Airport (MLE) near the capital Malé. Other international airports include Gan International Airport (GAN) in the southern Addu Atoll and Maafaru International Airport (NMF) in the north. Onward transfers to resorts are typically by speedboat, domestic flight, or seaplane — confirm timing with your resort in advance.

Best time to visit: November to April (northeast monsoon / dry season) offers the calmest seas and clearest skies. May to October (southwest monsoon) brings occasional rain and stronger currents but lower resort rates.
Time zone: Maldives Standard Time is GMT+5, with no daylight saving. Some resorts operate on their own "island time" (GMT+6) — confirm with your accommodation.
Language: The official language is Dhivehi. English is widely spoken at all resorts, airports, and tourist areas.
Currency: Maldivian Rufiyaa (MVR) is the local currency; US dollars are widely accepted at resorts. ATMs on local islands may only dispense MVR.
Plan transfers early: Resort speedboat and seaplane schedules are fixed-time — align your arrival flight accordingly and keep accommodation details handy for the IMUGA form.
Pack with customs in mind: Alcohol, vaping devices, pork, and other restricted items will be confiscated at the border.
Dress modestly on local islands: Bikinis and beachwear are only for resort beaches and designated "bikini beaches" on inhabited islands.
Save your IMUGA confirmation offline: Screenshot or download the QR code email — airport Wi-Fi can be slow during peak arrivals.
Protect reef ecosystems: Use reef-safe sunscreen, avoid touching coral, and choose certified dive and snorkel operators.

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Sofia L.Feb 10, 2026

"Used DoVisa for the Maldives Traveler Declaration before our anniversary trip in February — peak dry season. The IMUGA details were double-checked and the confirmation email arrived fast. Breezed through Velana (MLE)."

Daniel K.Jan 27, 2026

"Filled the IMUGA form on my phone during a layover. Clear prompts for flight and hotel info, and the confirmation was ready well before we landed in Malé."

Aisha R.Jan 8, 2026

"Process was straightforward. I appreciated the reminder about submitting within 96 hours and keeping the confirmation accessible for immigration checks at the airport."

Marco P.Dec 18, 2025

"The declaration took about 5 minutes once I had my booking open. Support helped when I wasn't sure which accommodation field to use for a split stay between two resorts."

Emily J.Nov 22, 2025

"Got everything done the day before travel. The checklist for passport MRZ and return ticket was useful so we had all documents ready at arrival."

Hassan A.Oct 30, 2025

"Needed the Maldives Traveler Declaration for a last-minute monsoon-season resort deal. Super Rush came through in under an hour and immigration at Velana was smooth despite the late booking."

Priya S.Sep 14, 2025

"Everything worked, but one field label was a bit confusing. After re-checking the flight date and time, the submission went through fine and I got my QR confirmation."

Thomas W.Jul 29, 2025

"Minor hiccup: I typed my flight number wrong and had to use the official IMUGA edit page to fix it. Once corrected, the confirmation was accepted at arrival."

Nina C.Jun 11, 2025

"Great for a family trip — completed the Maldives Traveler Declaration for each of us separately. Kept the confirmations on our phones and breezed through checks."

Jonas B.May 3, 2025

"Fast and clean process. Having the accommodation and itinerary details ready made it quick, and I liked the clear guidance on the 96-hour submission window."

Sofia L.Feb 10, 2026

Daniel K.Jan 27, 2026

"Filled the IMUGA form on my phone during a layover. Clear prompts for flight and hotel info, and the confirmation was ready well before we landed in Malé."

Aisha R.Jan 8, 2026

"Process was straightforward. I appreciated the reminder about submitting within 96 hours and keeping the confirmation accessible for immigration checks at the airport."