Government to Launch Dedicated Dollar Purchase Service for Umrah Pilgrims

The government has announced that it will begin a dedicated dollar purchase service for Umrah pilgrims travelling with registered Umrah groups during Ramadan, starting from February 8.

The service will be provided through the Bank of Maldives Customer Service Centre on the ground floor of Ameenee Magu in Malé City. It will be available on banking days from 09:30 am to 12:30 pm between February 8 and February 26. Tokens for the service will be issued at the venue on the day of collection.

Only pilgrims whose names are included in the Umrah travellers’ list submitted by authorised Umrah groups will be eligible to use the service. Each traveller is required to present an original valid identity card or passport at the time of purchase. If dollars are purchased by a third party or representative on behalf of a traveller, the representative must also present their original identity card.

Under the service, up to USD 500 can be purchased per person, and customers are allowed to purchase dollars for a maximum of five travellers at one time. Payments must be made using Bank of Maldives-issued debit cards.

Pilgrims travelling independently will continue to be able to purchase dollars through the USD Booking Portal, with collection available at the Departure Hall of Velana International Airport.

During the service period, Umrah-related dollar sales will not be available at Bank of Maldives branches in the Greater Malé region. However, customers residing outside the Greater Malé region will still be able to visit their nearest branches to purchase dollars.