Gov’t to Introduce Special Visa for Foreign Huffaz Leading Tarawih Prayers

Maldives Immigration has announced special visa arrangements for foreign Huffaz travelling to the Maldives to lead Tarawih prayers during the upcoming holy month of Ramadan.

The opportunity is now open for local agents registered with the Ministry of Islamic Affairs to submit visa applications for bringing in foreign Huffaz. Applications can be made through the Immigration online portal, and successful applicants will receive a 45-day special visa from the date of arrival in the Maldives.

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1446 ވަނައަހަރުގެ ރަމަޟާންމަހު، ރާއްޖޭގެ މިސްކިތްތަކުގައި ޙިފްޛުކޮށް ތަރާވީޙް ނަމާދުކުރުމަށް ރާއްޖެއިން ބޭރުން ޙާފިޛުންނާއި ޤާރީން ގެނައުމަށް ވިސާ ދޫކުރުމާއި ގުޅޭ،

އިތުރަށް ވިދާޅުވުމަށް: https://t.co/0nVcqO8Kfv pic.twitter.com/sUYNtkxc9n— Maldives Immigration (@ImmigrationMV) January 28, 2025

According to Maldives Immigration, visa applications will be processed within seven days of submission through the “Imuga” online portal. Local agents have been reminded to ensure that foreign Huffaz leave the country before the expiry of the special visa.

Special arrangements have also been made for family members accompanying the foreign Huffaz. A “Sponsorship Declaration” must be submitted online for accompanying family members, who will be granted a 30-day visa on arrival. If they intend to stay beyond the visa period, an extension request must be submitted at least seven days before the visa expires.

Immigration has also advised agents to ensure that foreign Huffaz and their family members do not travel to the Maldives before the special visa or sponsorship declaration has been approved.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Islamic Affairs has invited locals to register as agents to bring in Huffaz from abroad to lead Tarawih prayers in mosques across the country. The deadline for applications is 16 February.

The ministry has stipulated that the allowance for foreign Huffaz must be set based on the population of the respective island, with a minimum allowance of USD 13 per prayer. Additionally, foreign Huffaz already residing in the Maldives may only lead Tarawih prayers if they hold a work permit, are employed in a relevant field or at a Quran centre, and possess Hafiz certification.