IMUGA is the Maldives’ free online immigration portal — and every arriving traveller must complete its Traveller Declaration.
You must submit it within 96 hours of your flight to the Maldives. Here’s how.
What Is IMUGA?
IMUGA is the official online portal for the Maldives’ immigration services, run by Maldives Immigration. It handles passport services, visas, and the Traveller Declaration that every visitor must file.
The part that matters for tourists is the Traveller Declaration — a short health and travel form you fill in online before you fly to Malé.
Who Needs It and When
The Traveller Declaration is mandatory for everyone entering the Maldives, regardless of nationality, age, or reason for travel. There are no exemptions.
- Every person needs their own: each traveller, including children and infants, requires a separate submission.
- Arrival: submit within 96 hours before your flight to the Maldives.
- Departure: no declaration is needed to leave — the Maldives discontinued the departure form in August 2024.
Don’t file too early. A declaration submitted more than 96 hours before your flight is invalid, and you’ll have to do it again.
How to Complete the Declaration
The form takes a few minutes. Go to the official IMUGA Traveller Declaration page and have your passport and booking details ready.
Information You’ll Need
Before you start, gather the following so you can fill the form in one sitting:
- Passport details: number, nationality, and expiry date.
- Flight information: arrival date, flight number, and airline.
- Accommodation: your confirmed resort or guesthouse booking.
- Health declaration: a short set of yes/no health questions.
Step by Step Process
The process on the portal follows the same order each time:
- Open the IMUGA portal and select the Traveller Declaration for arrival.
- Enter your passport, flight, and accommodation details.
- Complete the health declaration and confirm your trip information.
- Submit the form — the portal then generates a QR code on screen.
Save the QR code. Download it or screenshot it so it’s available offline on your phone. Airline staff may ask to see it at check-in, and immigration may check it when you land.
IMUGA isn’t a visa application. Nearly every nationality gets a free 30-day visa on arrival, issued at the airport once you land with a valid passport, an onward ticket, a confirmed booking, and enough funds for your stay. It can be extended at immigration if you need longer.
Tips for a Smooth Arrival
A few habits save time at the counter once you land at Velana International Airport in Malé.
- File within the window, not before. The day before you fly is the safest time to submit.
- Keep the QR code offline. Airport Wi-Fi can be patchy after a long flight.
- Do one per traveller. Families travelling together still need a separate form for each person.
- No departure form needed. Since August 2024 only the arrival declaration is required — there’s no second form before flying home.
Many visitors connect through hubs such as Dubai, Doha, or Colombo — your IMUGA declaration covers the Maldives leg only, so check the entry rules for any country you stop in.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the IMUGA Traveller Declaration free?
Yes. The form is always free on the official portal, imuga.immigration.gov.mv. Sites charging a fee are third-party resellers, not the government.
When exactly should I submit it?
Within 96 hours before your flight. Submitting earlier makes the declaration invalid, so the day before departure is the safest time.
Do children need their own declaration?
Yes. Every traveller, including children and infants, needs a separate IMUGA submission.
Do I need a visa before arriving in the Maldives?
No. Nearly all nationalities get a free 30-day visa on arrival. IMUGA is the online declaration you complete before that visa is issued at the airport.
Sources
- IMUGA — Maldives Immigration Portal
- IMUGA Traveller Declaration
- Maldives Immigration — Tourist Visa on Arrival
Disclaimer: Wego strives to ensure all information presented in this article is accurate and up to date at the time of publication. Travel policies, prices, visa requirements, and conditions can change rapidly. We strongly recommend verifying critical details with official sources before making travel decisions. Wego does not accept liability for any inaccuracies, oversights, or changes that may occur after publication.
