This year may not have brought an immediate strategy to eliminate the coronavirus pandemic, but it brought a renewed sense of confidence in the battle against COVID-19. There’s also a lot of Maldivians taking advantage of that feeling, looking...
This year may not have brought an immediate strategy to eliminate the coronavirus pandemic, but it brought a renewed sense of confidence in the battle against COVID-19. There’s also a lot of Maldivians taking advantage of that feeling, looking ahead, and planning their next holiday.
Choices for those wanting to add stamps to their passport have steadily risen since the world was first put on hold last year — albeit often with more paperwork, smartphone apps, testing, and advance planning required. It has also become mandatory for Maldivians to present results of a negative PCR test taken 96 hours before boarding their flight home. To provide even greater peace of mind to travelers, many airlines and airports around the world are now offering on-site rapid testing for COVID-19, while some countries allow fully vaccinated travelers to travel freely.
Here are ten countries that currently offer quarantine-free travel for Maldivian travelers within their respective travel advisories and protocols.
Albania
Entry Requirements: Proof of negative Covid-19 PCR test taken within 96 hours of travel, negative rapid test taken within 48 hours before arrival. An offline Public Health Passenger Locator Form must be filled upon arrival.
Visa Requirements: Travelers can apply for an electronic visa in minutes by completing the online application form at https://e-visa.al.
Egypt
Entry Requirements: Proof of negative Covid-19 PCR test taken within 72 hours before arrival. Travellers have to fill in a COVID-19 Public Health Declaration Form at https://egypt.mfa.gov.ua/storage/app/sites/26/declaration-form.pdf prior arrival.
Visa Requirements: Maldivian passport holders can obtain 30-day tourist visa upon arrival.
Kosovo
Entry Requirements: Proof of negative Covid-19 PCR test taken within 72 hours before arrival.
Visa Requirements: Maldivian passport holders are exempted from visa requirements and are permitted to stay for up to 90 days.
Seychelles
Entry Requirements: Proof of negative Covid-19 PCR test taken within 72 hours before arrival. Travellers are required to obtain a ‘Health Travel Authorization’ online at https://seychelles.govtas.com within 3 to 72 hours prior arrival.
Visa Requirements: Maldivian passport holders can obtain 30-day tourist visa upon arrival.
United Arab Emirates (Dubai)
Entry Requirements: Proof of negative Covid-19 PCR test taken within 72 hours before arrival.
Visa Requirements: Maldivian passport holders can obtain 30-day tourist visa upon arrival.
Turkey
Entry Requirements: Proof of negative Covid-19 PCR test taken within 72 hours before arrival. Travellers are required to fill the “Form for Entry to Turkey” online at https://register.health.gov.tr within 72 hours prior arrival.
Visa Requirements: Travelers can apply for an electronic visa in minutes by completing the online application form at https://www.evisa.gov.tr.
Zambia
Entry Requirements: Proof of negative Covid-19 PCR test taken within 72 hours before arrival.
Visa Requirements: Maldivian passport holders are exempted from visa requirements and are permitted to stay for up to 90 days.
Jordan
Entry Requirements: Travelers are subjected to upload their negative results for Covid-19 within 72 hours prior their flight to Jordan Tourism Board online platform at https://registration.questlabjo.com, and are required to present the QR code they receive at the check-in counter for their departure flight to Jordan. Travelers are required to install the Aman App on their mobile phones, and must hold proof of health insurance to cover the cost of Covid-19 treatments in Jordan.
Visa Requirements: Maldivian passport holders can obtain 30-day tourist visa upon arrival.
Tanzania
Entry Requirements: Proof of negative Covid-19 PCR test taken within 72 hours before arrival. Passengers travelling to Tanzania will be subject to health screening on arrival. Passengers will also be subject to a rapid test at their own cost ($25 USD) on arrival. Travelers are required to fill the “Traveler Surveillance Form” online at https://afyamsafiri.moh.go.tz within 24 hours prior their arrival.
Visa Requirements: Maldivian passport holders can obtain 90-day tourist visa upon arrival.
Tunisia
Entry Requirements: Passengers travelling to Tanzania will be subject to health screening on arrival. Travelers are required to hold printed copies of the documents generated after completing the Health Form online at https://app.e7mi.tn/ before their arrival. Passengers 12 years or over travelling to Tunisia must hold a negative Covid-19 PCR test result certificate with a QR code obtained within 72 hours prior to departure. Passengers holding Covid-19 vaccination certificates with a QR code or a vaccination certificate issued by health authorities will not require the mandatory 7-day quarantine upon arrival in Tunisia.
Visa Requirements: Maldivian passport holders are exempted from visa requirements and are permitted to stay for up to 90 days.
Editorial note: This list includes a selection of countries that are currently open for Maldivian travelers provided that they meet the entry requirements of the country’s respective laws and regulations. While I try my best to deliver the most current and accurate information on this blog, due to the pandemic’s everchanging nature, please refer to the countries’ government websites for the most updated regulations before travelling. Please also ensure that you submit the arrival and departure Traveller Health Declaration via Maldives Immigration’s online portal, “IMUGA” at https://imuga.immigration.gov.mv/ethd/create.