Maldivians required to obtain Sri Lankan residence visa prior to arrival

Maldivians are now required to obtain their Sri Lankan residence visa prior to arrival.

Prior to this policy change, Maldivians could travel to the neighboring country with an on-arrival visa and change to a residence visa in Sri Lanka.

Maldives Foreign Ministry’s Director of Communications Miuvaan Mohamed said that this change will not affect Maldivians who already have residence visa, since they are still allowed to renew their visa in Sri Lanka.

Miuvaan said that these policy changes are the result of Sri Lanka strengthening its security and that residents from other countries are also required to follow the new policy.

He also said that Foreign Minister Abdulla Shahid will be meeting with the Sri Lankan Prime Minister on Wednesday to discuss the changes.

The policy change, which will come into effect on May 15, will not affect people with on-arrival tourist visas.