Russia-Maldives visa exemption comes in force
Nationals of both countries will be allowed to stay visa-free for 90 days.
27 Jul 2019, 9:00 AM
An agreement signed between the Maldives and Russia to allow visa-free travel for up to 90 days came into force on Thursday.
Maldivians travelling to Russia will be allowed to enter, stay in and transit through Russia without obtaining a visa.
“This applies for all Maldivian nationals holding valid travel documents and not intending to work, study or reside in the territory of the Russian Federation,” the Maldives foreign ministry explained.
“It is important that all travellers ensure that they have with them confirmed hotel bookings, return tickets and adequate funds while travelling to Russia.”
Russian tourists can also stay in the Maldives for 90 days without a visa. Russia is among the top markets for the Maldives tourism industry with more than 38,000 tourist arrivals last year.
The visa exemption agreement was signed in late June after Foreign Minister Abdulla Shahid held talks with his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov in Moscow. The pair discussed expanding trade ties as well as cooperation in human resource development, tourism, climate change and counter-terrorism, the foreign ministry said at the time.