Maldives: do South Africans need a visa?

South Africans can get a visa on arrival in the Maldives. You can stay up to 30 days per visit, and you can apply to extend.

Free tourist visa on arrival for all nationalities (except Israeli passports since 15 April 2025); no pre-approval needed.1

Before you travel

Purpose of visit

Tourism. Work and other purposes need a visa arranged in advance.1 3

Confirmed by other governments' official advice

Passport validity

Machine-readable passport valid at least 1 month from arrival.1

Confirmed on an official government source

How to apply

No application. Visa granted on arrival after admissibility check. Submit the IMUGA Traveller Declaration within 96 hours before arrival at imuga.immigration.gov.mv (free).1 2

Confirmed on an official government source

Where South Africans apply

On arrival.1

Confirmed on an official government source

Travel insurance

Not published by official sources

Return or onward ticket

Confirmed return/onward ticket required.1

Confirmed on an official government source

Proof of funds

Sufficient funds for the stay (amount not stated) or approved sponsorship.1

Confirmed on an official government source

Accommodation or invitation

Confirmed booking at a registered tourist facility (resort, hotel, guesthouse) required.1

Confirmed on an official government source

Vaccinations, including yellow fever on return to South Africa

Yellow fever certificate required if arriving from an endemic/risk area. Maldives is not a risk country.1

Confirmed on an official government source

Arrival forms

IMUGA Traveller Declaration (Maldives Immigration), mandatory, free, submitted online within 96 hours before arrival and before departure at imuga.immigration.gov.mv; one per traveller including children.1 2

Confirmed on an official government source

Extending your stay and overstaying

Not published by official sources

Transit

Not published by official sources

Travelling with children

Children need their own passport and their own IMUGA declaration.1

Confirmed on an official government source

What changed

15 April 2025Entry refused on Israeli passports (not relevant to SA passports).

Sources

Official

The destination's own government

1Maldives Immigration immigration.gov.mv
2Maldives Immigration (IMUGA portal) imuga.immigration.gov.mv

Other government

Official advice from other governments

3UK FCDO gov.uk

Reference

Used to find official sources, never the final word

4Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org

Last researched 5 October 2026. Rules change; confirm with the embassy before you book.