Maldives Introduces Email Verification for Tourists

Unsplash

From November 9, 2026, foreign tourists completing the declaration for entry to the Maldives must verify their email address using a one-time code, the country's immigration authority said. The form cannot be completed without this step. Submission remains free of charge.

Email Verification

The procedure for completing the traveller declaration through the government-run IMUGA system has changed. Applicants first provide a valid email address, to which a one-time password (OTP) is sent. After entering the code in the designated field, they can proceed to a form requesting passport details, flight information and accommodation details. Once the process is complete, the system generates a QR code. Travellers should save it in case an airline or immigration officer asks to see it.

The updated interface allows additional members of the same travel party to be added. However, a separate declaration is required for each person, including infants and minors. Parents and guardians may use their own email address when submitting a form on a child's behalf. There is no need to create a separate inbox for the child.

Submission Window and Fees

The IMUGA declaration for entry to the Maldives can be submitted through the official government portal. Applications are accepted no earlier than 96 hours before arrival, during the final four days preceding a trip. The process is online and free of charge. The new email-verification requirement neither changes the submission window nor introduces an additional fee.

The immigration authority warns against third-party websites that charge users to file the document and recommends the government service instead. Paid intermediaries are unnecessary: tourists can enter the information themselves and receive confirmation. Before sharing personal data, they should make sure they are on the official website rather than a similarly named service.

Visas and Entry Documents

Under the current Maldives entry requirements, a tourist visa is issued on arrival without prior approval. Travellers need a machine-readable passport valid for at least one month, a confirmed return ticket and a paid booking at a registered accommodation establishment. They must also have sufficient funds for their stay or sponsorship approved by the immigration authority. Those travelling onward must meet the passport and visa rules of their next destination.

Children must have their own passports. A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required only for visitors arriving from, or having recently travelled through, countries with a risk of transmission; children under one year old are exempt. A Traveller Declaration is no longer required when leaving the islands, following the abolition of departure declarations in August 2024.

Outlook for Maldives Tourism

International Investment analysts note that IMUGA's new requirement reflects the broader shift towards digital entry procedures. The Maldives continues to offer tourist visas on arrival and a free declaration while strengthening verification of access to the email address provided. In the longer term, travel convenience will increasingly depend on the reliability of government online services. For an island destination reliant on international visitors, the development of these technologies is becoming one factor in its competitiveness.

For the hospitality industry, digitalisation offers opportunities to speed up service and reduce errors in handling bookings and personal data. Online check-in, payment and guest communication systems can ease pressure on staff and improve service quality. When assessing resort developments, investors will increasingly need to consider an operator's technological infrastructure: its integration into property management affects costs, operating efficiency and prospects for further growth.