COVID-19 Updates

KEY INFORMATION

ENTRY INTO MALDIVES

ON ARRIVAL VISA PROCEDURES

• All tourist passengers will be granted 30 days on arrival free visa.
• Tourist passengers must submit a confirmation of reservation in a registered Tourist Resort or a hotel
• For more information, related to visa. Please refer to Maldives Immigration website.

ENTRY AT AIRPORT

ARRIVAL PASSENGERS

• All arrival passengers are required to complete their online Health Declaration Forms prior to arrival. (but not exceed 24 hours before arrival time).
• Effective from 10^th September 2020, all arriving tourists and other visitors (travelling for short-term and or, for official purposes and not subject to 14 days’ quarantine) are required to present COVID-19 Negative PCR Test Result issued not more than 72hrs prior to departure, counting from the first port of embarkation en route to the Maldives.
• All passengers are obliged to wear face masks at all times
• The practice of good hand hygiene and respecting physical distance is highly recommended at all times
• “Trace Ekee” the contact tracing app shall be installed upon arrival or prior to arrival into the country. To download TraceEkee: https://trace.hpa.gov.mv/
• All passengers must undergo screening at the first point of entry to assess symptoms for Covid-19.
• Health Authorities may perform randomized PCR tests on individuals arriving in Maldives.

For more information, please refer to the Ministry of Tourism website

LUGGAGE COLLECTION

• Passengers are required to respect and maintain a safe distance of at least 1 metre at luggage collection areas.
• Airport authorities will safeguard and disinfect the luggage trolleys after each individual use. The trolleys will be kept and marked in an identifiable manner.

DEPARTING PASSENGERS

• All departing passengers are required to complete their online health Declaration Forms prior to departure. (but not exceed 24 hours before the time of departure).
• All departing passengers are responsible and are required to carry out the test requirements needed for the country of departure and shall produce the documents upon arriving the departure check-in counter
• All departing passengers must undergo a screening to assess symptoms for Covid-19. Passengers displaying symptoms or have a history of contact with a suspected or confirmed case of COVID-19 within the past 14 days are advised not to travel.
• All passengers are obliged to wear face masks at all times.
• The practice of good hand hygiene and respecting physical distance is highly recommended at all times.

For more information, please refer to the Ministry of Tourism website

Prohibited and Restricted imports to Maldives.

Maldives Customs Service is obliged to keenly observe the movements of personnel and vessels crossing the border and to enforce and uphold the law. And hence the travellers are advised to go through the given information thoroughly to cross the border with uttermost ease.

PROHIBITED GOODS (GOODS WHICH ARE BANNED COMPLETELY):

• Narcotics and psychotropic substances
• Pornographic material (including sex toys) such as books, magazines, films, videos, DVDs and software
• Religious materials offensive to Islam
• Live pigs
• Idols (for worship)

RESTRICTED GOODS (GOODS THAT REQUIRE A PERMIT TO IMPORT):

Liquor and Alcoholic Products

According to Maldivian Law No: 4/1975 (Import prohibition Act), importation of liquor and alcoholic products without prior approval is prohibited.

Hence, it is advised not to purchase liquor and alcoholic products on the flight or duty-free shops while en route to the Maldives as these items will be confiscated upon arrival at the airport. However, liquor, beer, and other such alcoholic beverages are available at all tourist resorts/hotels. These have been imported under a special license issued prior to their importation.

Releasable items from Customs Bond

1. 1. Liquor and Alcoholic Products
   2. Transit Cargo
   3. Prohibited items (except Narcotics and psychotropic substances) will be bonded and released to foreign nationals ONLY at the time of their departure. These include restricted items as well as those imported with special permission.

Items for which a bond fee is charged:

• • • Commercial Items: MVR 50 per Cubic Meter will be charged for each day exceeding 3 days from storage. This is not applicable for items stored as lost items.
    • Transit Cargo: MVR50 per day from the date of storage. If the status of the items changes to imported items, bond storage fee will be charged for the duration for which it was stored.

Pork and its by-products

According to Maldivian Law No: 4/1975 (Import prohibition Act), importation of pork and its by-products without prior approval are prohibited. (Prior permit required from Ministry of Economic Development)

Pets

Health certificate from an authorized veterinarian, satisfying that the animal is free from infections or contagious diseases is required. Note: the import of dogs and dangerous animals is strictly prohibited.

Firearms, Explosives, Weapons, and Ammunition

• Pistols, revolvers, rifles, shotguns, pellet guns, etc.
• Replica and imitation firearms, Components of firearms, Harpoon and spear guns, Stun or shock producing devices.
• Explosives and explosive devices, Replica or imitation explosive material or devices, Fireworks, flares, and other pyrotechnics.

Live Plants and Animals

All plants require a valid phytosanitary/sanitary certificate and must be inspected and approved by the Ministry of Fisheries and Agriculture.

Medicine

A valid medical prescription issued by a registered medical practitioner is required for importation of controlled drugs (for personal use only) (For commercial use prior permit is required from Maldives Food and Drug Authority)

Tobacco and Tobacco Products

All tobacco products must carry a health warning label as prescribed by the Ministry of Health. Note: All passengers are eligible for import duty allowance up to a limit of 200 Cigarettes, 25 Cigars, and 250g of tobacco.

Communication Equipment

Talkie-set, receiver, and any other telecommunication equipment with radiofrequency transmitting capacity exceeding 100 milliwatts should be inspected and approved by the Communication Authority of Maldives.

DUTY ALLOWANCES

When travelling to the Maldives, you can bring the following for your own use without paying tax or duty

1. Clothes / jewelries / watches / pens / portable gadgets / toiletries / books / magazines / newspaper
2. 200 cigarettes / 25 cigars / 250g of tobacco
3. MVR 6,000 worth of other personal items

NOTE: If you are carrying goods valued MVR 6,001 and above (excluding the items stated in 1 and 2) you must declare the goods and pay the required duty