COUNTRY DESCRIPTION:  The Republic of Maldives consists of 1,190 islands (fewer than 200 are inhabited) in the Indian Ocean, southwest of Sri Lanka. The Maldives has a population of 270,000, of which about 70,000 reside in Male, the capital city.  Beautiful atolls, inhabited by over 1,100 species of fish and other sea life, attract thousands of visitors each year.  Tourism facilities are well developed on the resort islands.

ENTRY/EXIT REQUIREMENTS:  A valid passport, along with an onward/return ticket and sufficient funds, is required for entry.  A no-cost visit visa valid for thirty days is issued upon arrival. The Department of Immigration and Emigration routinely approves requests for extension of stays up to ninety days for travelers who present evidence of sufficient funds and who stay in a resort or hotel or present a letter from a local sponsor.  Anyone staying over sixty days without proper authorization faces heavy fines and deportation. All visitors departing the Republic of the Maldives (except diplomats and certain exempted travelers) must pay an airport departure tax.

Arrival by private boat:  Travelers arriving by private yacht or boat are granted no-cost visas, usually valid until the expected date of departure.  Vessels anchoring in atolls other than Male must have prior clearance through agents in Male.  Maldivian customs, police and/or representatives of Maldivian immigration will meet all vessels, regardless of where they anchor.  Vessels arriving with a dog on board will be permitted anchorage, but the dog will not be allowed off the vessel.  Any firearms or ammunition on board will be held for bond until the vessel’s departure.  

Specific inquiries should be addressed to the Maldives High Commission in Sri Lanka at No. 23, Kaviratne Place, Colombo 6, telephone (94) (1) 586-762/500-943, or the Maldives Mission to the U.N. in New York, telephone (212) 599-6195.

In an effort to prevent international child abduction, many governments have initiated procedures at entry/exit points.  These often include requiring documentary evidence or relationship and permission for the child’s travel from the parent(s) or legal guardian not present.  Having such documentation on hand, even if not required, may facilitate entry/departure.

DUAL NATIONALITY:  The Republic of Maldives recognizes dual nationality.  Dual nationals are not required to use their Maldivian passports when entering the country, but they must use them when departing.

CRIME INFORMATION:  The Maldives has a low crime rate, but thefts of valuables left unattended on beaches or in hotels do occur.  The loss or theft abroad of a U.S. passport should be reported immediately to the local police and the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate.  U.S. citizens may refer to the Department of State’s pamphlet “A Safe Trip Abroad” for ways to promote a more trouble-free journey.  The pamphlet is available by mail from the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C. 20402, via the Internet at http://www.gpoaccess.gov/index.html, or via the Bureau of Consular Affairs home page at http://travel.state.gov.

MEDICAL FACILITIES:  The Maldives has limited medical facilities. There are two hospitals in Male: the government-owned Indira Ghandi Memorial Hospital (IGM) and the privately owned Abduarahman Don Kaleyfan Hospital (ADK). Both provide general and orthopedic surgery and neurosurgery.  ADK accepts some insurance plans, but IGM does not.  

Two recompression chambers are available in the Maldives.  One is on Bandos Island (fifteen minutes by speedboat from Male) and the other is in Kuramathi (one hour by speed boat and about twenty minutes by air taxi from Male.) The hospitals perform general, orthopedic and neuro surgery, but the Maldives has no trauma units, and spinal surgery is not available.  Persons needing treatments not offered in the Maldives may need to be medevaced to another destination, such as Singapore.

MEDICAL INSURANCE:  The Department of State strongly urges Americans to consult with their medical insurance company prior to traveling abroad to confirm whether their policy applies overseas and if it will cover emergency expenses such as medical evacuation.  U.S. medical plans seldom cover health costs incurred outside the United States unless supplemental coverage is purchased.  Further, U.S. Medicare and Medicaid programs do not provide payment for medical services outside the United States.  However, many travel agents and private companies offer insurance plans that will cover healthcare expenses incurred overseas, including emergency services such as medical evacuations.

When making a decision regarding health insurance, Americans should consider that many foreign doctors and hospitals require payment in cash prior to providing service and that a medical evacuation to the United States may cost in excess of $50,000.  Uninsured travelers who require medical care overseas often face extreme difficulties.  When consulting your insurer prior to your trip, please ascertain whether payment will be made to the overseas healthcare provider or if you will be reimbursed later for expenses that you incur.  Some insurance policies also include coverage for psychiatric treatment and for disposition of remains in the event of death.

Useful information on medical emergencies abroad, including overseas insurance programs, is provided in the Department of State’s Bureau of Consular Affairs brochure “Medical Information for Americans Traveling Abroad,” available via the Bureau of Consular Affairs home page or autofax: (202) 647-3000.

OTHER HEALTH INFORMATION:  Information on vaccinations and other health precautions may be obtained from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's hotline for international travelers at 1-877-FYI-TRIP (1-877-394-8747); fax: 1-888-CDC-FAXX (1-888-232-3299), or by visiting the CDC’s Internet home page at http://www.cdc.gov.

TRAFFIC SAFETY AND ROAD CONDITIONS:  While in a foreign country, U.S. citizens may encounter road conditions that differ significantly from those in the United States.  The information below concerning the Republic of Maldives is provided for general reference only and may not be totally accurate in a particular location or circumstance. 

Safety of Public Transportation:                     Good
Urban Road Conditions/Maintenance:            Excellent
Rural road conditions/Maintenance:               Fair
Availability of Roadside Assistance:               Poor

Only a few of the islands are big enough to support automobiles.  Most transportation in the Maldives is by boat or seaplane (air taxi).  The Maldives has good safety standards for land, sea, and air travel.  Roads in Male and on the airport island are brick and generally well maintained.  Dirt roads on resort islands are well kept by the resorts.  Transportation on the small island on which the capital, Male, is situated is either by foot or by readily available taxis.  Transportation between the airport and Male, as well as to nearby resort islands, is by motorized water taxis and speedboat.  Several local companies provide seaplane and helicopter service to outlying islands.  Air taxis stop flying one hour before sunset, and several resorts do not transport passengers by boat between the airport and the resort island later than one hour before sunset.  Visitors to distant resorts arriving in the country at night can expect to stay overnight at a hotel in Male or at the airport hotel and should confirm transfer arrangements in advance.

For additional general information about road safety, including links to foreign government sites, see the Department of State, Bureau of Consular Affairs home page at http://travel.state.gov/road_safety.html.  For specific information concerning Maldivian driving permits, vehicle inspection, road tax and mandatory insurance, contact the Maldivian National Tourist Organization Office in Male via the Internet at http://www.visitmaldives.com.

AVIATION SAFETY OVERSIGHT:  As there is no direct commercial air service at present, or economic authority to operate such service, between the U.S. and the Republic of Maldives, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has not assessed Maldives’ civil aviation authority for compliance with international aviation safety standards. 

For further information, travelers may contact the Department of Transportation within the U.S. at 1-800-322-7873 or visit the FAA Internet home page at http://www.faa.gov/avr/iasa.  The U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) separately assesses some foreign air carriers for suitability as official providers of air services.  For information regarding the DOD policy on specific carriers, travelers may contact the Pentagon at 1-618-229-4801.

CUSTOMS REGULATIONS:  Maldivian customs authorities prohibit the importation of non-Islamic religious materials, including religious statues.  Personal Bibles are permitted.  The importation of pork and pork by-products is restricted. Dogs are not permitted, but visitors may bring their cats. (Many hotels and resorts do not allow pets; travelers should confirm a particular hotel’s policy prior to arrival.) Pornographic materials are banned, and all pornographic material will be destroyed upon arrival in the country.  Offenders of customs regulations may face jail sentences, deportation and/or heavy fines. 

A complete summary of customs regulations is available at www.customs.gov.mv.  

CRIMINAL PENALTIES:  While in a foreign country, a U.S. citizen is subject to that country’s laws and regulations, which sometimes differ significantly from those in the United States and may not afford the protections available to the individual under U.S. law.  Penalties for breaking the law can be more severe than those in the United States for similar offenses.  Persons violating Maldivian laws, even unknowingly, may be expelled, arrested or imprisoned.  Penalties for possession of, use of, or trafficking in illegal drugs are strictly enforced in the Maldives.  Convicted offenders can expect jail sentences, deportation, and/or heavy fines.  It is illegal to bring alcohol into the Maldives.  Alcoholic beverages are legally available for retail sale to tourists on resort islands. 

SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES:  Religious Laws: Public observance of any religion other than Islam is prohibited.  Religious gatherings such as Bible study groups are prohibited; however, a family unit may practice its religion, including Bible readings, within its residence.  It is against the law to invite or encourage Maldivian citizens to attend these gatherings. Offenders may face jail sentences, expulsion and/or fines.

In the past, several non-Maldivian families resident in the Maldives, including some Americans, were expelled for allegedly engaging in religious proselytizing.  Although Maldivian law prohibits importing “idols for religious worship,” tourists going to the resort islands are generally allowed to bring in items and texts used for personal religious observances.  Refer to the Customs Regulations section above for other restrictions.

Currency: Credit cards are increasingly accepted outside large hotels and resorts; cash payment in dollars is accepted at most retail shops and restaurants and by taxi drivers. 

CHILDREN’S ISSUES:  For information on international adoption of children and international parental child abduction, please refer to our Internet site at http://travel.state.gov/children’s_issues.html or telephone the Overseas Citizens Services call center at 1-888-407-4747.  The OCS call center can answer general inquiries regarding international adoptions and will forward calls to the appropriate country officer in the Bureau of Consular Affairs. This number is available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).  Callers who are unable to use toll-free numbers, such as those calling from overseas, may obtain information and assistance during these hours by calling 1-317-472-2328.

REGISTRATION/EMBASSY LOCATION:  There is no U.S. Embassy in Republic of Maldives, but the U.S. Ambassador to Sri Lanka is also accredited to the Maldives.  The former U.S. Consular Agency in Male closed on August 9, 1995.  Americans living in or visiting the Maldives are encouraged to register at the Consular Section of the U.S. Embassy in Sri Lanka and to obtain updated information on travel and security within the Republic of Maldives.  The U.S. Embassy is located at 210 Galle Road, Colombo 3, Sri Lanka.  The Embassy’s telephone number during normal business hours Monday through Friday is (94) (1) 448-007.  The Embassy’s after-hours and emergency telephone number is (94)(1) 448-601.  The Consular Section fax number is (94)(1) 436-943. The Internet address is http://usembassy.state.gov/srilanka.

This replaces the Consular Information Sheet for the Maldives dated May 2, 2002