The Maldivian government has on Monday announced a visa waiver agreement with the United Arab Emirates (UAE), which will allow visa-free travel from January 1^st, onwards.

Ahmed Khaleel, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, said that the Maldives entered into this agreement on December 28^th, but ‘some issues’ had caused delays in enforcing it.

Khaleel said that visa-free travel will be possible from January 1^st onwards, and that airlines travelling from the Maldives to the UAE have been informed of the agreement.

“We just want to assure the Maldivian citizens that they can fly to the UAE without a visa starting tomorrow”, Khaleel said.

Maldivians will receive an on-arrival visa for a month, for visitation purposes. However, those travelling for business must acquire a business visa.

Responding to questions from journalists, Khaleel said that working to facilitate visa-free travel for Maldivians.