Maldivian visa resources
Maldives visa processing times
What is known about timing for Maldives visas, including on-arrival issuance and key deadlines.
Important
The tourist and meeting visas are issued on arrival, so there is no advance processing wait, but the Traveller Declaration must be submitted within the 96 hours before arrival. Sponsorship Declarations for family, marriage and dependent cases should be submitted through IMUGA at least 5 working days before arrival.
There are firm deadlines rather than published processing times: a Work Visa must be obtained within 15 days of arriving on a valid Work Permit, and marriage/resident extensions should be applied for at least 3 months before expiry. Maldives Immigration does not publish standard processing durations for online visa applications.
Key timing points
- Traveller Declaration: within 96 hours before arrival
- Sponsorship Declaration: at least 5 working days before arrival
- Work Visa: within 15 days of arrival on a valid Work Permit
- Marriage/Resident extension: apply at least 3 months before expiry
Next steps
Official sources
For the most accurate and up-to-date information, always refer to the official government sources.
Verified against official sources · last reviewed 2026-08-21. Information only — not legal advice.