Maldives

VISA REGIME

ENTERING AND LEAVING THE COUNTRY
Citizens of the Republic of Serbia who travel to the Maldives as tourists get a free visa valid for a period of up to 30 days at the Maldives airport. The following documentation is required: a valid travel document, a return air ticket, proof of sufficient financial resources (100 US dollars plus 50 US dollars for each day of stay) or proof of payment of the travel arrangement. The validity period of the passport for tourist travel must be at least 6 months.
From 17 January 2018, applications for business and special visas must be sent electronically 5 days before the planned trip, to this e-mail: bv@immigration.gov.mv.
More detailed information is available on the website of the Maldivian Ministry of Immigration and Emigration: http://www.immigration.gov.mv/pages/entry.html.
A health insurance policy or proof of vaccination is not necessary to travel to the Maldives, unless coming from an area affected by yellow fever (certain areas of Central Africa or South America).
The importation of alcoholic beverages, narcotics, pornographic material and weapons into the Maldives is prohibited by law. In cases where passengers carry extensive photographic or diving equipment, it is recommended to inform the hotel where they intend to stay in advance or to prepare a list of the mentioned equipment with its description and serial numbers, so that the procedure upon arrival at the airport takes less time. All types of videos and films must be reported to the competent customs authorities at the airport, in order to obtain approval for their entry into the island.
Bringing pets (dogs, cats, birds, etc.) and plants is allowed only with a phytosanitary/sanitary certificate.
When leaving the country, one may export items in reasonable quantities, intended for personal use. Taking coral, crocodile skin or turtle shell out of the country is prohibited.

SOCIAL SECURITY AGREEMENT
No social security agreement has been concluded.

USEFUL INFORMATION

HEALTH SITUATION – Travellers are advised to check the latest information on the health situation in the Maldives on the website of the World Health Organization, Regional Office for Africa: www.afro.who.int/health-topics before going on a trip.
In the last few years, there have been some cases of mosquito-borne diseases in the Maldives, chikungunya fever and, to a lesser extent, dengue fever. Since there is no vaccine against these diseases, it is recommended to take preventive measures against mosquito bites, primarily in the form of using creams and wearing appropriate clothing with long sleeves and socks when staying outdoors, or protection of the premises when staying indoors (closing windows that do not have mosquito nets, using electrical mosquito repellents and the like).

TRANSPORT – British Airways and Lufthansa are the European companies with the most frequent flights to the Maldives (apart from them, flights to the capital Male also have Emirates Airlines, Singapore Airlines, Qatar Airlines, Sri Lankan Airlines). It is recommended that transport from the international airport to the hotel be booked when booking hotel accommodation, i.e., before arriving at the airport.
The main means of transport in the Maldives is the dhoni boat, a handmade boat made of wooden planks. From the airport port (which is located 2 km northeast of Male) to the Maldivian capital, these boats go every 15 minutes, and from midnight to the morning hours every 30 minutes. In addition to dhoni boats, local means of transport include motor boats, as well as helicopters and so-called seaplanes.

OTHER INFORMATION – The currency in the Maldives is the Maldivian Rufiyaa MVR (one Rufiyaa contains 100 laari). The most commonly used foreign currency is the US dollar. In most hotels, restaurants and shops, payment with American Express, Visa International, Master Card, Diners Club, JCB and Euro-Card is possible.
The tropical climate in the Maldives means an average temperature between 29 and 32 degrees Celsius, with occasional tropical showers. From the end of May to the beginning of September is the (southwestern) monsoon period in which there is occasional rain and wind, while from November to April the (northeaster) monsoon is warm and dry. The prices of stays are the highest in the season (December – April), especially during the Christmas and New Year holidays, when the weather in the Maldives is dry and warm. The period from May to November is also warm, but with a higher degree of air humidity and a higher possibility of rain. Then there are fewer tourists in the Maldives, so it is easier to find suitable accommodation, which is cheaper than in the season.
Non-working days in the Maldives are Friday and Saturday.
Nudism in the Maldives is prohibited by law, including staying on the beaches of resorts, swimming or diving without bathing suits near ships with passengers. In most restaurants, one is not allowed to stay in bathing suits, to prevent any inconveniences for other guests present.

Contact information
For consular assistance and protection while in Maldives, please contact the Embassy of the Republic of Serbia in the Republic of India, which covers Maldives on a non-residential basis, at the following number: 00 91 11 26 87 20 95 or e-mail address: embassyofserbiadelhi@hotmail.com.