Entering Maldives for a short-stay
If you are planning a trip to the Maldives, learning about the country's entry requirements as well as the regulations for short or long term stay would probably your main order of business. In this article, we take a quick look at what you will need to get your Maldives adventure started.
Entry
Nationals of all countries can get a 30-day tourist visa on arrival to the Maldives. What you will need is a passport valid for at least another 6 months, return tickets and proof of enough financial resources for the duration of your stay, which includes accommodation bookings as well as about $50 per day for the length of your stay.
Tourist visas can be extended. To do so, you will need to apply at the local immigration department office before your current visa expires. Typically, you will need to submit the same types of documents for a visa extension as for visa on arrival: proof of funds, hotel bookings, etc.
Note that the tourist visa does not allow you to seek employment in the Maldives. For more visa options, including work resident permits, please refer to the Visas for Maldives article.
What to consider when planning a trip to the Maldives
The first thing to note when planning your trip is transportation to your hotel. Most visitors to the country land in Male, the capital city of the Maldives. From there on, you will need to arrange a transfer to your hotel (if it's not included in the price) and here's where things can get tricky. There are two ways to get from the capital city to most resorts: a speedboat and a seaplane. Even if your hotel is located close to Male, your transfer will probably cost from $50 to $200. If the accommodation you've booked is further away, you will most likely need a seaplane transfer, which can end up costing up to $400. Some hotels may also put forward the condition that you can only use their transfer, which can cost even more.
Thus, make sure to budget in the cost of the airport to hotel transportation when planning your stay in the Maldives.
Second, note that most hotels and resorts are located on their own private islands. Thus, you will have a very limited choice when it comes to food and daily activities. It is this highly recommended to check meal prices as well as the list of activities offered by your chosen hotel.
If you are staying in Male, you will be able to get a better 'feel' of the country's culture and interact with the locals. Note, however, that covering an area of less than 6 square kilometres, Male is a very small town. In fact, it's one of the world's smallest national capitals having a population of about 150,000 people. You can walk around the whole city in a matter of a couple of hours, exploring all key sights and trying traditional snacks. There are several hotels in the city itself as the more expensive Hulhule Island Hotel on the nearby island.
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