Yesterday, a resolution to implement pre-approved visas upon arrival and offer electronic authorisation services for tourists was put forth in the Maldives Parliament. The motion, brought forward by Mahchangoalhi South MP Ahmed Haitham, proposes a free 30-day visa for tourists upon application.
Presently, tourists obtain visas upon arrival in the Maldives, a process often fraught with lengthy waiting times and bureaucratic hurdles. Some tourists are compelled to return without visas for various reasons.
In the past five years, a notable 9,940 individuals have been deported for visa-related issues, a matter that the resolution contends needs to be addressed.
Offering a 30-day visa upon application before arriving in the Maldives, the proposed pre-approval system seeks to mitigate these challenges and enhance the overall tourist experience.
The resolution reflects the government’s ambitious target of attracting two million tourists this year; in 2023, a total of 1.8 million tourists arrived in the Maldives.
