Yes	1	Yes
Yes	1	Yes
Yes	1	Yes
Yes	1	Yes
Yes	1	Yes

Passport valid for six months required by all nationals referred to in the chart above.

1. Tourist visas for 30 days will be issued on arrival only and are free of charge to all visitors in possession of valid travel documents.

Note: Nationals not referred to in the chart above are advised to contact the high commission/embassy for visa requirements (see Contact Addresses).

Foreign visitors who enter the Maldives must be in possession of return or onward tickets and a minimum of US$30 (£16) per person per day or confirmed hotel reservation for the intended period of stay in the Maldives.

Tourist visas can be extended for a minimum of three months for a fee of MVR750 (£45).

30 days. Can be extended by three months to one year.

Visas are issued on arrival at the immigration desk at Maldives International Airport.

Visa extensions can be requested on arrival at Maldives International Airport, and will be issued immediately provided nationals are holding valid travel documents.

3rd Floor, H. Aage 12, Boduthakurufaanu Magu, Malé, Republic of Maldives
Tel: 323 228.
Website: www.visitmaldives.com.

22 Nottingham Place, London W1U 5NJ, UK
Tel: (020) 7224 2135.
Website: www.maldiveshighcommission.org
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 0930-1700.

800 Second Avenue, Suite 400E, New York, NY 10017, USA
Tel: (212) 599 6194/5.
Website: www.un.int/maldives

Sometimes
Yes
No
Sometimes
Yes
Yes
No*

There are two hospitals on Malé, the Indhira Gandhi Memorial hospital and the ADK private hospital. First-aid facilities are available on all resort islands. A decompression chamber is accessible at most resorts in case of diving emergencies. Medical treatment in the Maldives can be very expensive and comprehensive health insurance is recommended.

* A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required from travellers coming from infected areas.

Below are listed Public Holidays for the January 2007-December 2008 period.

2007
1 Jan New Year’s Day.
20 Jan Islamic New Year.
31 Mar Mawlid al-Nabi (Birth of the Prophet).
21 Apr National Day.
22 Apr The Day Maldives Embraced Islam (forwarded from 21 Apr).
26-27 Jul Independence Day.
13 Sep Ramadan begins.
13 Oct Eid al-Fitr (Ramadan ends).
3 Nov Victory Day.
11 Nov Republic Day.
20 Dec Hajj Day.
20 Dec Eid al-Adha (Feast of the Sacrifice).

2008
1 Jan New Year’s Day.
10 Jan Islamic New Year.
20 Mar Mawlid al-Nabi (Birth of the Prophet).
Apr* The Day Maldives Embraced Islam.
27 Apr National Day.
26-27 Jul Independence Day.
2 Sep Ramadan begins.
2 Oct Eid al-Fitr (Ramadan ends).
3 Nov Victory Day.
11 Nov Republic Day.
Dec* Hajj Day.
9 Dec Eid al-Adha (Feast of the Sacrifice).
29 Dec Islamic New Year.

* Date to be confirmed.

Muslim festivals are timed according to local sightings of various phases of the moon and the dates given above are approximations. During the lunar month of Ramadan that precedes Eid al-Fitr, Muslims fast during the day and feast at night and normal business patterns may be interrupted. Many restaurants are closed during the day and there may be restrictions on drinking in public places. Some disruption may continue into Eid al-Fitr itself, although this is generally unlikely to affect life on the resort islands. Eid al-Fitr and Eid el-Kebir may last anything from two to 10 days, depending on the region.