USD 1,000 Medical Travel Allocation Restricted by MMA to Six Countries

Maldivians paying for overseas medical treatment themselves will qualify for the USD 1,000 foreign currency allocation only when travelling to six designated countries, as the Maldives Monetary Authority (MMA) tightens eligibility amid concerns over possible misuse.

The allocation will be available for treatment in India, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Patients travelling at their own expense will continue to purchase the dollars through banks.

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The restriction does not change the existing USD 2,000 allocation for patients travelling through the state health insurance scheme Aasandha. In its statement yesterday, the MMA said the revised eligibility rules were intended to ensure that foreign currency sold for medical purposes was used for that purpose.

The decision follows a sharp increase in medical-related dollar sales. Between January and September 2026, USD 41.1 million was sold for medical purposes, more than twice the USD 18.51 million recorded during the whole of 2025.

Of this year’s total, USD 29.2 million went to people travelling for treatment at their own expense. These patients accounted for approximately 71 per cent of medical-related dollar sales, making them the largest users of the facility.

The government increased the medical travel allocations in August 2025 to USD 2,000 for patients travelling with Aasandha coverage and assistance from the National Social Protection Agency (NSPA), and USD 1,000 for those funding their own treatment.

The MMA described the subsequent increase in dollar sales as “unusually high” and said it raised questions about possible misuse of the facility. The central bank said tighter controls were necessary to protect foreign currency reserves, limit adverse effects on the economy and maintain access to dollars for citizens who need them for medical care.