Maldives visa on arrival for citizens of Russia: conditions and fees 2026
A visa is required for the Maldives, and citizens of Russia can obtain it on arrival.
Data updated on
Mandatory arrival form: Traveller Declaration (IMUGA). Within 96 hours before arrival. Free: beware of websites that charge for it.
Fill it in on the official website (imuga.immigration.gov.mv)
Indicative information: confirm with the embassy or the official portal before booking. Our methodology · Official portal
Processing time
On arrival
Our guide to the Maldives visa from Russia
The visa exemption applies to short tourist travel to the Maldives with a Russian passport. The stay duration associated with this regime is 90 days. Check the official entry requirements before travelling.
Do you need a visa?
For a short tourist stay, Russian passport holders benefit from a visa exemption in the Maldives. They therefore do not need to apply for a visa before travelling, provided they meet the official entry requirements.
How much does a visa for the Maldives cost from Russia?
The official fee for a visa for the Maldives is not published in a source we can verify. Check the amount on the official portal before paying anything, third-party sites often add service fees on top.
What does a visa for the Maldives really cost?
The published fee is the government charge alone. Two or three other lines are added before the visa is in the passport, and they are what makes the final bill.
- Government feeNot published in a source we can verify
Paid to the state, non-refundable if the visa is refused.
- Agency or online serviceOptional, added on top
Never compulsory. An intermediary fills the form for you, it does not change the decision or the processing time.
We only display amounts published by an official source. Confirm the total before paying anything.
What documents are required for a visa for the Maldives?
The exact list for the Maldives is not published in a source we can verify. Every short-stay tourist application is nonetheless built on the same core:
- Valid passport
- Completed application form
- Compliant passport photo
- Proof of accommodation
- Return or onward ticket
- Proof of sufficient funds
Treat this as the common core, not the official list, confirm it with the consular authorities of the Maldives before you apply.
Entry conditions
Travel with your Russian passport. Requirements relating to the passport, as well as any return or onward ticket, should be checked before departure on the official Maldives portal or with the competent embassy.
Documents and fees
This regime does not require a visa for this tourist visit, and the associated stay duration is 90 days. For the list of documents to present and any information about possible fees, consult the official Maldives portal or the competent embassy.
How to apply for a visa for the Maldives from Russia
- 1Check before departure that your entry point actually issues the visa on arrival.
- 2Prepare the supporting documents and the fee, often required in cash.
- 3Complete the form at the dedicated counter after landing.
- 4Pay the fee and collect the sticker before immigration control.
Where do you apply for a visa for the Maldives from Russia?
A visa on arrival for the Maldives is issued at the border post itself, at a counter placed before immigration control.
- Not every crossing issues it. Confirm that your specific airport or land border does before you book.
- The counter is reached after landing and before immigration. Follow the visa signs rather than the exit.
- The fee is usually paid on the spot, sometimes in cash and in a specific currency. Card is not guaranteed.
You live in Russia on another passport?
The regime follows your nationality, not where you live. If you reside in Russia but travel on another country's passport, the rule on this page is not yours. Filing usually still happens from your country of residence, at the post competent for it, but the requirement itself comes from your passport.
Pick your nationality to see the rule
How long does a visa for the Maldives take?
A visa on arrival is issued at the counter of the entry point when you cross the border: there is no processing time to plan for before departure.
Processing times and advice
As no visa application is required for this tourist stay, there is no visa processing time to plan for. Check the entry requirements that apply to your trip with the official Maldives portal or the competent embassy before departure.
Before you fly, and at the border
- Passport validity: most countries require the passport to stay valid beyond the return date, and the margin required differs from one destination to the next. Check it on the official source, and count from your return, not from your departure.
- A visa is not a right of entry. The border officer decides, and may ask for a return ticket, an address or proof of funds even when everything is in order.
- Conditional exemptions exist: several countries waive the visa for holders of a valid visa or residence permit from a third country. This depends on the destination and on the document, and we do not publish that rule when our sources do not carry it. The official page does.
- Minors travelling alone or with one parent are often asked for extra papers, typically a parental authorisation and the family record. Ask the post before booking.
- Overstaying is not a formality. It exposes you to a fine, to removal, and to an entry ban that can outlast the trip by years, including for the whole area when the destination belongs to one.
Common mistakes
Do not apply for a paid visa when the visa exemption applies to this tourist route. Some websites may offer purported visas that are unnecessary, so use the official Maldives portal or contact the competent embassy instead.
Plan your trip
Nomad Insurance travel cover (SafetyWing)
Medical cover and repatriation, can be taken out mid-trip.
Flights (Trip.com)
Compare flights and airlines for your trip.
eSIM data (Saily)
Stay connected on landing, with no roaming charges. Requires an eSIM-compatible phone.
Tours and activities (GetYourGuide)
Book excursions ahead, with free cancellation on most activities.
Partner links, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Other visa types for Maldives
A tourist stay is not the only purpose. These are the other permits the destination issues and that your nationality is eligible for, each with its own fee and processing time.
Official sources
Guide generated automatically on September 11, 2026, from the verified catalogue.
Short-stay (tourism)
Visa on arrival
Entry regime
Visa on arrival
Price
Free
Official websiteVerified
Business visa
Consular visa
Duration
90 days
Price
750 MVR
Processing time
15 business days
Official websiteVerified
Work visa
Work visa
Duration
1 year (renewable)
Price
750 MVR
Processing time
30 business days
Official websiteVerified
Family Reunification
Family reunification
Duration
1 year
Price
800 MVR
Processing time
30 business days
Official websiteVerified
Student visa
Student visa
Duration
Duration of programme
Processing time
20 business days
Official websiteVerified
Tips for a successful stay in the Maldives
- Check the validity of your passport well in advance.
- Plan enough funds to cover your expenses.
For an optimal stay, book your accommodation in advance and ensure you have a return ticket or to a third country.
Frequently asked questions
Do you need a visa to travel to the Maldives from Russia?▾
A visa on arrival is issued to travellers from Russia directly at the border of the Maldives.
How much does a tourist visa for the Maldives cost?▾
The application is free: there are no official fees. Service fees may apply when using a provider.
How long does it take to get a visa for the Maldives?▾
A visa on arrival is issued at the counter of the entry point when you cross the border: there is no processing time to plan for.
How do you apply for a visa for the Maldives from Russia?▾
The visa is issued at the dedicated counter after landing. Before departure, check that your entry point actually issues it, and bring the fee, often in cash, along with your supporting documents.
What other visa types exist for the Maldives?▾
Depending on the purpose of stay, the Maldives offers among others: Business visa, Work visa, Student visa, Family Reunification.
Data verified on 28/10/2026 · Our methodology
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Indicative information, drawn from official sources and Wikipedia, and updated automatically. Rules change: confirm with the embassy or the official portal before booking. Our methodology · Official portal
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