Sri Lanka Introduces One-Year Visa for Maldivians Seeking Medical Treatment
New visa policy eases travel for Maldivians seeking medical treatment in Sri Lanka | Photo: The President’s Office
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has announced that Sri Lanka will implement a one-year visa policy starting this month for Maldivian citizens travelling for medical treatment and for spouses of Maldivians residing in the country for study or employment.
The ministry stated that the policy aims to ease visa-related difficulties faced by Maldivians, particularly given Sri Lanka’s importance as a destination for long-term residence and regular access to healthcare services.
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The new visa arrangement was confirmed during the recent visit of Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake to the Maldives on 28 July.
Under the new rules, applicants are required to ensure that all supporting documentation is submitted accurately and in full. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs highlighted the importance of documents necessary for obtaining security clearance, noting that any discrepancies identified during the process may result in consequences such as visa revocation.
Previously, Maldivians visiting Sri Lanka were granted a 30-day visa on arrival, with longer stays requiring an online visa extension. The new one-year visa marks a significant change in easing access for specific categories of Maldivian travellers.
In a reciprocal move, the Maldives has announced that it will issue three-month on-arrival visas for Sri Lankan citizens, effective from 29 July.
The two countries established diplomatic relations on 26 July 1965, and this year marks the 60th anniversary of bilateral ties between the Maldives and Sri Lanka.
