Maldives and Belarus Sign Visa Waiver Agreement

The Maldives and Belarus have signed an agreement to waive visas for their nationals, providing for visits of up to 30 days and a cumulative limit of 90 days in a calendar year for multiple visits.

Foreign Minister Iruthisham Adam and Belarusian Foreign Minister Maxim Ryzhenkov signed the agreement in New York on 24 September, during the high-level week of the United Nations General Assembly.

The Maldivian Foreign Ministry’s announcement confirms the signing and stay limits. It does not specify when the agreement enters into force.

The ministry describes the arrangement as reciprocal, covering nationals of both countries. During discussions after the ceremony, Iruthisham said she hoped the agreement would expand contact between the two countries’ people.

Direct flights planned for December

The agreement follows preparations by the Maldivian tourism industry for a planned direct air link with Belarus.

Visit Maldives Corporation said on 11 September that Belavia planned to begin direct flights in December 2026. Its announcement does not give a first-flight date or ticket prices.

The corporation and airline held an online briefing on 10 September with 100 Belarusian travel trade representatives. Six Maldivian tourism businesses participated: four resorts, a destination management company and a guesthouse.

The Tourism and Civil Aviation Ministry and Maldives Airports Company Limited also partnered in the session. Belavia presented information about the proposed connectivity, while the Maldivian businesses outlined their accommodation and services.

Visit Maldives recorded 7,443 visitors from Belarus in 2025, compared with 6,810 in 2024, 5,740 in 2023 and 4,080 in 2022. The corporation reported 3,257 arrivals from Belarus between January and June 2026.

The briefing covered international and domestic flights, tourism taxes, local-island stays and accommodation options. It concluded with questions from travel sellers and tourism businesses.

Existing Maldives entry process

Maldives Immigration’s current tourist-entry guidance provides for visas on arrival, without advance visa approval, subject to immigration clearance and the published entry conditions.

Those conditions include a machine-readable passport or travel document with at least one month’s validity. Visitors must also have the required travel arrangements, including confirmed return travel and a prepaid booking at a registered accommodation facility, together with sufficient funds, or an approved sponsorship.

Travellers must meet the entry requirements of their next destination as well. Immigration requires foreign arrivals to submit the Traveller Declaration within 96 hours before arrival.

The declaration is submitted through the official IMUGA portal. Immigration states that the form is free.