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COVID-19 Information – Maldives

Last updated: June 3, 2021

Effective January 26, all airline passengers to the United States ages two years and older must provide a negative COVID-19 viral test taken within three calendar days of travel.  Alternatively, travelers to the United States may provide documentation from a licensed health care provider of having recovered from COVID-19 in the 90 days preceding travel.  Check the CDC website for additional information and Frequently Asked Questions.

If you are overseas and your passport expired on or after January 1, 2020, you may be able to use your expired passport to return directly to the United States until December 31, 2021.

You qualify for this exception if all the following are true:

  • You are a U.S. citizen.
  • You are currently abroad seeking direct return to the United States.
  • You are flying directly to the United States, a United States territory, or have only short-term transit (“connecting flights”) through a foreign country on your direct return to the United States or to a United States Territory.
  • Your expired passport was originally valid for 10 years. Or, if you were 15 years of age or younger when the passport was issued, your expired passport was valid for 5 years.
  • Your expired passport is undamaged.
  • Your expired passport is unaltered.
  • Your expired passport is in your possession.

You do not qualify for this exception if:

  • You wish to depart from the United States to an international destination.
  • You are currently abroad seeking to travel to a foreign country for any length of stay longer than an airport connection en route to the United States or to a United States territory.
  • Your expired passport was limited in validity.
  • Your expired passport is a special issuance passport (such as a diplomatic, official, service, or no-fee regular passport).
  • Your expired passport is damaged.
  • Your expired passport is altered.
  • Your expired passport is not in your possession.

All other passport rules and regulations remain in effect.  The Department of Homeland Security maintains discretion to reject any bearer in accordance with 22 CFR 53.2(b)(7) and 8 CFR 235.1(b)

Country-Specific Information

  • The Ministry of Health has confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Maldives.
  • According to data provided by Maldives’ Ministry of Tourism, positive COVID-19 cases for tourists at resorts constitute less than one half of one percent of Maldives’ total confirmed COVID cases since July 2020.  The majority of COVID-19 cases are localized in major population centers (e.g. Male, Addu City).
  • For updates and instructions for entry, please visit: https://immigration.gov.mv/.
  • Cases have been identified throughout the country with the majority in Male. However, COVID-19 cases have been reported on multiple islands. Islands with confirmed COVID-19 patients are placed under travel lockdown, with arrivals and departures to those islands prohibited.
  • The government is taking active steps to prevent further spreading, including travel restrictions, involuntary isolation, and mandatory quarantines.  Travelers who test positive are routinely separated from their travel companions and forced to isolate at their expense. Anyone who is exposed to someone with a positive test for COVID-19 is required to quarantine for 14 days at their expense.

COVID-19 Testing

  • Are PCR and/or antigen tests available for U.S. citizens in Maldives? Yes.
  • If so, are test results reliably available within 72 hours? Yes.
  • US citizens can obtain PCR tests through their resort/hotel.  If the resort/hotel is unable to assist with the PCR test, the traveler will be required to travel to Male for testing.  A list of testing laboratories in the greater Male region is available here: https://covid19.health.gov.mv/covid-19-pcr-testing-laboratories-in-greater-male-region-for-travellers/?c=0.
  • The traveler is responsible for the cost of testing unless chosen for random testing on arrival. Prices vary by resort/laboratory.

COVID-19 Vaccine Information:

  • Has the government of Maldives approved a COVID-19 vaccine for use?  Yes.
  • Are vaccines available in Maldives for U.S. citizens to receive? No.
  • Which vaccines are available in Maldives? Oxford Astra-Zeneca.
  • Visit the FDA’s website to learn more about FDA-approved vaccinesin the United States.
  • The U.S. government does not plan to provide COVID-19 vaccinations to private U.S. citizens overseas.  Please follow host country developments and guidelines for COVID-19 vaccination.

Entry and Exit Requirements

  • Are U.S. citizens permitted to enter? Yes.
  • Is a negative COVID-19 test (PCR and/or serology) required for entry? Yes.
  • Are health screening procedures in place at airports and other ports of entry? Yes.
    • According to Maldives Health Protection Agency, effective September 10, 2020 all tourists are required to present a negative PCR certificate upon arrival.
    • Maldives will provide a free 30-day tourist visa on arrival
    • Traveler Health Declaration (THD) must be filled in and submitted by all travelers travelling to and from Maldives, within 24 hours prior to their travel. You may submit the form electronically via http://imuga.immigration.gov.mv.
    • If any members of the travel party test positive, the person who tests positive will be placed in isolation for 14 days at their expense and the rest of the family will be placed in quarantine for 14 days at their expense.

Movement Restrictions

  • Is a curfew in place? No.
  • Are there restrictions on intercity or interstate travel? Yes.
    • Maldives has imposed a curfew in the greater Male region from May 26 until June 9 between 16:00 and 08:00 daily.
    • Islands with confirmed COVID-19 patients are placed under travel lockdown, with arrivals and departures to those islands prohibited.  Inter-island or inter-resort travel is prohibited without special permission.
    • Anyone who is exposed to someone with a positive test for COVID-19 is required to quarantine for 14 days at their expense.

Quarantine Information 

  • Are U.S. citizens required to quarantine? No.
    • Tourists are allowed entry without quarantine upon arrival.
    • Travelers who test positive will be isolated for 14 days at their expense. Travelers who have been exposed to people who test positive for COVID-19 will be required to quarantine for 14 days at their expense.  Exposure can occur at a resort or in transit to/from their resort/hotel.  People traveling to the airport for departure who come into contact with someone who tests positive will be denied boarding and quarantined for 14 days. Travelers who are required to quarantine will be required to pay for any additional extended stay.  You should reconsider travel to Maldives if you do not have sufficient funds to cover any additional quarantine period.
    • The Maldives Ministry of Health has established a website, COVID-19 Local Updates, to track the status of the disease and provide updates. Families of individuals who are currently in quarantine and isolation facilities may contact the following hotlines to get updates on their status: +960-722-3541 and +960-729-0223. These hotlines are staffed from 9am to 11pm Maldives time and have English speakers.

Transportation Options

  • Are commercial flights operating? Yes.
  • Is public transportation operating? Yes.

Fines for Non-Compliance (if applicable)

  • Non-compliance with host country rules regarding social distancing, movement restrictions, or other COVID-19 prevention measures may result in fines or arrests.

Consular Operations

  • Due to travel restrictions, the U.S. Embassy in Colombo, Sri Lanka is extremely limited in providing services to American citizens in Maldives.

Local Resources:

By | 3 June, 2021 | Topics: Alert

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