The High Commission of India to the Maldives has announced that starting from 15th October 2021, Maldivians will be able to travel to India without a visa.
The decision was announced via a tweet by the high commission on 10th October 2021. According to the tweet visa will not be required for Maldivians, travelling for the purpose of Medical, Business and Tourism. Furthermore it also states that Maldivies is the first beneficiary of visa free travel since pandemic-induced travel restrictions were imposed by India in March 2020. This move restores the December 2018 bilateral visa-free agreement between the two neighbouring countries.
Foreign Minister of Maldives Abdulla Shahid tweeted, “Delighted that India has agreed to resume the 2018 Dec Visa Exemption Agreement between Maldives and India which was temporarily suspended due to COVID-19 border closure. From 15 Oct 2021, Maldivian Nationals will be exempt of visa requirements for tourists, medical & business purposes,”
✅NO VISA required fm Oct 15 for Maldivians travelling to India for Medical,Business & Tourism purposes.
— India in Maldives (@HCIMaldives) October 10, 2021
🇲🇻 will be the 1st beneficiary of VISA FREE TRAVEL since COVID restrictions were imposed by 🇮🇳 in Mar 2020.
This move restores the bilateral visa-free agreement of Dec 2018. pic.twitter.com/VkVwGyCvQ1
Thank you Prime Minister @narendramodi and EAM @DrSJaishankar for the favourable consideration of the request. #MaldivesIndiaPartnership
— Abdulla Shahid (@abdulla_shahid) October 10, 2021