Amendment to Rule No. (2014/R-11) dated February 5th 2014

This is the 2nd amendment to the Rules and the Regulation for Foreign Tourist Vessels entering and travelling in Maldivian Waters.

‘Foreign Tourist Vessels’ include tourist vessels, super-yachts and pleasure yachts only. This does not include any vessels coming for bunkering or off-shore services.

The new amendment states that if you stay in the Maldives for less than 7 days from the date of Inward Clearance, then you will not have to apply for a cruising permit nor pay the appropriate fee (Mrf. 5000).

However, if you plan to stay in the Maldives for more than 7 days from the date of Inward Clearance, then you must apply for a cruising permit via the Ministry of Tourism who will charge a fee of Mrf. 5000. Also, you must apply for the Permit within 84 hours from the date of Inward Clearance. The 84 hours will exclude Government holidays. If the application for the permit has not reached the Ministry of tourism within 84 hours, the vessel’s agent will be fined initially between Mrf. 10,000 – 30,000.

The other good news is that Foreign Tourist Vessels can now stay in the Maldives for 180 days from the date of Inward Clearance, a much longer period than previously permitted.

Full details of Maldives Formalities can be found at http://www.noonsite.com/Countries/Maldives?rc=Formalities

Our thanks to Ahmed Rasheed (M/s Ammie Investment Pvt Ltd) for sending us this information.

Also note: 90-day visas are now issued on arrival, so it is not now necessary to apply for extensions after 30 days.