Amidst the outbreak of covid-19 in Maldives, President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih ordered to suspend the services of all the government offices from 19th March 2020. Considering the difficulties faced by the employers and foreigners residing in Maldives in obtaining immigration services during this period, Maldives Immigration has declared to ease the visa services.
As such, Tourist Visa and Business Visa holders who are stranded in Maldives and who wish to leave the country upon resuming of airport operations, does not require to extend the visa even if it is expired. They shall rather submit the ‘Application for Emergency Departure’ [IM34] form for immigration clearance during the departure process. However, visas expired before 19th March 2020 has to be renewed.
The IM34 form cannot be used for immigration clearance after 31st August 2020, even if a foreigner is unable to extend the visa or leave the country.
Applications for visa extensions, except work visa, has to be emailed to [email protected]. Details of the appointment to submit the passport for the visa process will be emailed after verifying the documents.
Furthermore, to address the difficulties faced in paying visa fee, fine-payment has been waived from 19th March 2020. As such, for work visa it will be effective till 15th July 2020 and for other visas till 31st August 2020.
Further assistance and information regarding the visa services will be provided via 9199153 (Work Visa Hotline) and 9199157 (Permits Hotline).