Resolution Presented to Parliament Proposing Pre-Approval Visas for Tourists

Yesterday, a resolution to implement pre-approval visas upon arrival and offer electronic authorisation services for tourists was put forth at 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.

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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 free 30-day visa upon application before arrival in 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, 1.8 million tourists arrived in the Maldives.