Maldives Rolls Out Digital Visa Extensions

The Maldives has streamlined the process for travelers looking to stay beyond the initial month. Tourists can extend their 30-day visa-on-arrival online through the official IMUGA portal, and Maldives Immigration put a simplified extension process into effect on April 23, 2026 under its Maldives 2.0 initiative. This digital shift eliminates the need for in-person visits to immigration offices and the mountain of paperwork previously required for a longer stay.

The update is particularly timely for those affected by recent flight disruptions across the Middle East. While the standard extension allows for a total stay of 90 days, the government is currently waiving fees and penalties for travelers stranded by regional airspace closures.

Who benefits from the online system

This change is a major win for digital nomads and slow travelers who use the tourist visa to work remotely. Since the Maldives does not currently offer a dedicated nomad visa, the ability to secure a 60-day extension online makes the islands a much more viable mid-term base.

The system is designed for standard tourists and those facing emergency travel delays. If you are in the country on a work, business, or marriage visa, you will still need to follow separate manual processes, such as the IM23 form.

How to apply for more time

To secure your extension, you must submit your request through the IMUGA platform at least a few days before your initial visa expires. The digital visa updates are usually processed within 48 hours.

• Log in to the IMUGA portal and select the tourist extension option.
• Enter a passport number or upload the passport biodata page; the system fills in passport and accommodation details already on record. The biodata page is needed only when a passport was renewed or the records do not match.
• Upload a passport-size photo taken within the last 12 months.
• Update the accommodation details in the same application after a move to another hotel or guesthouse.

Read our full Maldives guide for the complete picture.

Correction, Oct. 8, 2026: An earlier version of this article gave the start date of the simplified online process as April 1, 2026, and listed an entry stamp photo, onward ticket, accommodation booking and proof of funds as requirements. Maldives Immigration put the process into effect on April 23, 2026, and it asks for a passport number or biodata page and a recent passport-size photo. An earlier version also gave the standard extension fee as MVR 750, a figure Maldives Immigration does not publish; it has been removed.