Maldives entry requirements for France passport holders
Checked daily · Updated May 17, 2026·View sources
Visa on arrival
Max stay
No fixed limit
Passport validity
6 months
Beyond entry date
Return ticket
Required
Or onward travel proof
Proof of funds
Recommended
May be checked
French passport holders get a free 30-day visa on arrival in the Maldives. No need to apply in advance — just show up with the right documents. This policy is in effect for 2026.
Entry requirements
| Requirement | Details | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Valid passport Must be valid for at least 1 month beyond your departure date from Maldives | Your passport needs at least one blank page for the entry stamp. Airlines check this at check-in — if your passport expires within a month of leaving, you'll be denied boarding. | Required |
| Return or onward ticket Required for all visitors | Immigration officers at Velana International Airport ask for proof of onward travel every time. Have a printed or digital copy of your outbound flight ready — they won't let you through without it. | Required |
| Proof of accommodation Resort or hotel booking confirmation | Most visitors stay at a resort or guesthouse — immigration rarely asks for proof, but your resort needs your flight details to arrange the speedboat transfer. Have the booking confirmation handy just in case. | Recommended |
| IMUGA — Maldives Arrival DeclarationMaldives' mandatory online arrival declaration at imuga.immigration.gov.mv. Complete it within 96 hours before departure. This is not a visa — all nationalities get free 30-day entry on arrival. Mandatory online pre-registration for all travellers | Complete the free IMUGA form at imuga.immigration.gov.mv within 96 hours before your flight. You'll get a QR code — show it at immigration along with your passport. This is not a visa; all nationalities get 30 days on arrival at no cost.Open IMUGA form | Required |
IMUGA saves time
Complete the free IMUGA arrival declaration at imuga.immigration.gov.mv within 96 hours of landing. It gives you a QR code that lets you skip the paper form queue at the airport.
Overstay penalties are steep
Overstaying your 30-day visa costs 1,000 MVR (≈€60) per day for the first week, then 2,000 MVR per day. Extend before your visa expires at the Immigration office in Malé.
What happens at the border
1
Complete IMUGA online
Go to imuga.immigration.gov.mv and fill in the arrival declaration. Do this within 96 hours of your flight landing. It's free and generates a QR code you'll show on arrival.
2
Arrive at Velana International Airport (MLE)
After deplaning, follow signs to 'Immigration' or 'Visa on Arrival'. Join the queue for foreign passport holders. Have your passport, boarding pass, and IMUGA QR code ready.
3
Present documents and get stamped
Hand over your passport and any requested documents (return ticket, hotel booking). The officer will stamp you in — usually for 30 days. The whole process takes 5-15 minutes.
4
Collect luggage and exit
After immigration, head to baggage claim, then customs. There's nothing else to pay or sign.
Download Maldives Entry Checklist
PDF · France Passport · Includes QR codes · Updated May 17, 2026
Staying longer & fees
Visa options if you want to stay beyond the free limit:
Tourist visa (single entry)
Max stay30 days, extendable 30 days
Validity30 days from issue
CostFree (VOA) or MVR 750 (~$48 USD) for extension
Standard visa on arrival for French passport holders; extension possible once.
Business visa
Max stay30 days, extendable 30 days
Validity30 days from issue
CostFree (VOA) or MVR 750 (~$48 USD) for extension
For business purposes; requires invitation letter from Maldivian company.
Marriage visa
Max stay1 year, renewable
Validity1 year
CostMVR 2,000 (~$130 USD)
For those married to a Maldivian citizen; requires marriage certificate.
retirement visa
Maldives Retirement Visa
1 year, renewable annually
~$500 USD + processing fee
For retirees aged 55+ with proof of sufficient income (approx. $2,000/month). Requires local sponsor or property lease. Allows long-term stay with multiple entries.
work visa
Maldives Work Visa (Employment Visa)
1 year, renewable
~$300 USD + employer fees
For those with a job offer from a Maldivian company. Employer sponsors the visa. Requires contract and health check.
investor visa
Maldives Investor Visa
1–5 years, renewable
~$1,000–$5,000 USD
For investors who invest at least $100,000 in a Maldivian business or real estate. Requires proof of investment and business plan.
Other fees
| Service | Cost |
|---|---|
| Stay extension (up to 60 days total)Extension fee for additional 30 days, applied at Maldives Immigration. | MVR 750 (~$48 USD) |
| Overstay fine (per day)Charged for each day overstayed beyond authorized period. | MVR 500 (~$32 USD) per day |
| Overstay fine (maximum cap)Maximum cumulative fine for overstay. | MVR 10,000 (~$648 USD) |
Common reasons for entry denial
No return ticket35%
Insufficient funds25%
Unconfirmed accommodation20%
Approval probability calculator
Answer 6 quick questions — we'll estimate how likely you are to be approved for entry based on typical immigration patterns.
Transiting through Maldives
No transit visa needed
French passport holders transiting through Maldives do not need a transit visa if they remain airside and have a confirmed onward flight within 24 hours.
Airside transitAllowed up to 24h
Exceptions & conditions
- If leaving the airport transit area, a visa on arrival is required (free for French passport holders).
Transit hubsVelana International Airport (MLE)
Health & vaccines for Maldives
Required for entry
Yellow FeverRequired if arriving from a country with risk of yellow fever transmission (e.g., parts of Africa or South America).
Recommended vaccines
Hepatitis AEssentialTyphoidRecommendedTetanus-diphtheria-pertussis (Tdap)EssentialMeasles-mumps-rubella (MMR)EssentialCOVID-19Recommended
Health risks
Dengue feverModerate risk
Mosquito-borne disease; risk is higher during rainy season (May–November). Use repellent and mosquito nets.
ChikungunyaLow risk
Rare but present; transmitted by mosquitoes. Same prevention as dengue.
Food and waterborne diseasesLow risk
Risk is low in resorts but higher in local islands. Drink bottled or boiled water.
Malaria risk: low
Malaria is very rare in Maldives; no prophylaxis recommended for most travellers. Risk is slightly higher in remote atolls.
Based on CDC and WHO guidance. Consult a travel medicine clinic 4–6 weeks before departure for personalised advice.
Immigration offices for extensions
Malé
Maldives Immigration Headquarters
Boduthakurufaanu Magu, Malé 20026
Sun–Thu 08:00–14:00
Main office for visa extensions and permits. Bring passport, arrival card, and fee.
Malé
Maldives Immigration – Velana International Airport
Velana International Airport, Malé
24/7
For visa on arrival and immediate queries at the airport.
Practical information for FR travellers
Country basics
CapitalMalé
LanguageDhivehi
Driving sideRight-hand traffic
US driving licenceDriving not applicable for most visitors (resort islands).
Money
CurrencyMaldivian Rufiyaa (MVR)
Exchange rate
1 USD = 15.44 MVR
Time zone
Local timeUTC+5
vs New York+10h (EST) / +9h (EDT)
vs Los Angeles+13h (PST) / +12h (PDT)
Electricity
Voltage230V / 50Hz
Plug types
G,J,KType D, G, J, K, L — various sockets. Bring a universal adapter.
⚠ US adapter needed
Water & health
Tap water
Not safe — use bottled
Use bottled water. Resorts provide drinking water.
Emergency numbers
Getting to Maldives
Nearby destinations you can also visit
Countries close to Maldives — with your same passport.
Frequently asked questions
You get 30 days on arrival. If you want to stay longer, you can apply for an extension at the Department of Immigration and Emigration in Malé. Extensions are granted in 30-day increments, up to a total of 90 days. The fee is around 750 MVR (about €45) per extension.
Yes, you can extend your stay. Visit the Department of Immigration and Emigration in Malé (near the main port). You'll need your passport, a completed application form, and the fee. Extensions are typically granted for 30 days at a time, up to a maximum of 90 days total.
No. If you're transiting and staying airside (not passing through immigration), you don't need a visa. If you plan to leave the airport or stay overnight, you'll need the standard visa on arrival.
Overstaying is taken seriously. You'll be fined 1,000 MVR (about €60) per day for the first 7 days, then 2,000 MVR per day after that. You may also be banned from re-entering the Maldives for a period. Always extend before your visa expires.
Yes, it's mandatory. You must complete it within 96 hours of arrival. It's free and takes about 5 minutes. Without it, you'll be held up at immigration while they process you manually. Do it online before you fly.
Yes. Immigration will ask for proof of onward travel. If you don't have a return or onward ticket, you may be refused entry. Book a refundable onward ticket if your plans are uncertain.
No. Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months from your date of entry. Airlines check this before boarding. If your passport is close to expiry, renew it before you travel.
Official sources
Always verify before you travel
Entry requirements change. This page was verified on May 17, 2026. Always check the official embassy or government source before booking. Report an error — we update within 24 hours.