Vietnam Visa Requirements for Maldivian Citizens

Planning a trip from Malé, Addu City, Fuvahmulah, or Kulhudhuffushi, or travelling on a Maldivian passport from another country? Vietnam is welcoming, affordable, and easier to visit than many people expect, as long as your entry document is sorted before you fly. This guide covers the Vietnam visa requirements for Maldivians: which visa to choose, what it costs, how long it takes, and how to apply without the stress.

Quick Answer

Maldives is not on Vietnam’s visa-free list for ordinary passports, so Maldivian passport holders generally need an approved visa before they travel. For most holidays and short business trips, the easiest option is the Vietnam e-visa. Always confirm the latest rules on the official Vietnam e-visa portal before you apply.

Why Maldivians Aren’t Visa-Free

This catches some travellers out. The Maldivian passport opens many doors, and Maldivians are used to visa-free or visa-on-arrival access in a good number of destinations, so it’s natural to assume the same applies in Asia. But Vietnam’s visa-free list doesn’t include the Maldives. Citizens of countries such as the UK, Germany, France, Japan, and South Korea can enter Vietnam for a limited stay without a visa, while Maldivian passport holders need an approved visa before they fly. Without one, an airline can refuse to let you board. A special exemption exists for some visitors who travel directly to the island of Phu Quoc, but it comes with conditions, so please check the details before relying on it.

Be careful with the wording on some official and unofficial pages. Some say Maldivians don’t need to apply for a visa for short tourist stays, but that you still need an electronic authorisation before entering. In practice, that authorisation is the e-visa, so plan to have your approval in hand before you fly. Entry rules depend on the passport you travel on, not on the country where you live. If you’re a Maldivian citizen living in India, Sri Lanka, the UAE, or anywhere else, please don’t assume that a residence permit replaces a Vietnam visa. If you hold more than one passport, tell us, because the rules follow the passport you travel on. Some special cases, such as certain official passports or exemption certificates, may be treated differently. If you think any of this applies to you, contact us and we’ll help you check before you pay for anything.

Vietnam Visa Options for Maldivian Citizens

1. Vietnam e-visa (recommended)

The Vietnam e-visa is an electronic visa you apply for online, receive by email, and print before you fly. It’s valid for up to 90 days and available as single or multiple entry. It’s the simplest route for most travellers, because you can apply from home, with no embassy visit. Before you pay, check on the official portal that your nationality is accepted, because a small number of sources report different information.

2. Visa on arrival

A two-step option: you get an approval letter first, then pay a stamping fee in cash at the airport. It adds a second fee and extra steps, and it only works at airports. Sources differ on whether it is currently offered to Maldivian passport holders, so please confirm this before you rely on it. We recommend the e-visa for most travellers.

3. Embassy or consulate visa

You can apply in person or by post at a Vietnamese embassy or consulate. There is no Vietnamese embassy in the Maldives, so travellers from the Maldives usually need to apply at an embassy in another country, and the nearest options vary by source. Please check the embassy’s official website for current details. That means extra travel, time, and cost, so most people choose the e-visa unless they need a visa type it doesn’t cover.

Which one should you choose?

Vietnam E-Visa for Maldivians: How It Works

You fill in an online form, upload a photo and a passport scan, pay the fee, and wait for approval. When it’s ready, you download the e-visa, print it, and show it at the border. You must enter and exit through approved international checkpoints, so check that your arrival airport or border crossing is on the list.

Single or multiple entry?

• Single entry: one way in and one way out. If you leave Vietnam, even for a day trip, the visa is used up.
• Multiple entry: leave and return within the visa’s validity, which is perfect for side trips to neighbouring countries.

Documents and Passport Requirements

Have these ready before you apply:

• A valid Maldivian passport in good condition, with blank pages. We recommend at least two blank pages to be safe.
• Enough validity. Sources describe the six-month rule in slightly different ways. To stay safe, aim for a passport that is valid for at least six months beyond your planned departure from Vietnam, and confirm the exact rule on the official portal before you apply.
• A clear passport data page scan. The whole page, with no glare or cropping.
• A recent portrait photo. Looking straight at the camera, with no glasses.
• Travel details. Arrival date, entry point, and first night’s accommodation.
• Proof of onward travel. Airlines and immigration may ask to see your return or onward ticket.
• A payment card and an email address you check often.

The journey from the Maldives to Vietnam usually involves at least one connection. Check whether you need a transit visa for each connecting airport, because that is a separate requirement from your Vietnam visa.

Vietnam Visa Cost for Maldivians

Your total has two parts.

Government fee. US$25 for single entry and US$50 for multiple entry. It’s non-refundable, even if the visa isn’t granted. The fee depends on single or multiple entry, not on whether you choose 30 or 90 days.

Service fee. If you apply through us, our service fee depends on your visa type and speed. Normal processing is included, and faster options add a small surcharge. You can see our full price list on the Vietnam e-Visa fees page. Prices are in US dollars, so the amount in Maldivian rufiyaa depends on the exchange rate on the day, and you’ll need a card that can pay in US dollars. Before you apply, check with your bank that your card allows international online payments.

How Long Does the Vietnam Visa Take?

Official processing is about 3 working days. Our normal service allows 5 working days to leave a safe buffer, and faster options start from 3 working days. Working days exclude weekends and Vietnamese public holidays.

A good rule of thumb: apply at least two weeks before you fly.

In a hurry? We offer faster options, from 3 working days down to a few hours, plus emergency help.

A quick note on time zones. Our urgent services run on Vietnam time, which is 2 hours ahead of the Maldives (UTC+5). For example, a cut-off of 8:00 AM Vietnam time is 6:00 AM in Malé. Check the time difference before you rely on a cut-off.

How to Apply for a Vietnam Visa From the Maldives

1. Choose your visa. Pick your length of stay and single or multiple entry.
2. Enter your details. Copy everything exactly from your passport.
3. Upload your photo and passport scan.
4. Check and pay. Review every field before you confirm.
5. We review and submit. We catch small mistakes before they become delays.
6. Receive your e-visa by email. Download it, check the details, and print a copy.

The Date Mistake to Avoid

Your stay doesn’t begin when you land. It starts from the entry date you put on the application, even if you arrive later. Pick July 1 but fly in on July 6, and you lose five days. Set the entry date to the day you really plan to arrive.

Common Mistakes Maldivians Make

• Assuming wide visa-free access means visa-free for Vietnam. Easy access elsewhere doesn’t carry over to Vietnam, and an airline can refuse boarding without an approved visa.
• Misreading “no visa needed, but get an authorisation”. Treat the e-visa as your visa, and have it before you fly.
• Using look-alike websites. Apply on the official portal or through a licensed provider.
• Typos in passport details. One wrong digit can make the visa unusable. Dhivehi names can be written in more than one way in Latin letters, so copy your name exactly as shown in the machine-readable lines at the bottom of your passport’s photo page, and ask us if you’re unsure.
• Mixing up passports. If you hold more than one passport, use the same one for your application and for travel.
• Forgetting your transit visa. A connecting flight can need its own visa, separate from Vietnam’s.
• Choosing single entry, then leaving. If you might return, pick multiple entry.
• Ignoring passport expiry. Check it before you book flights.
• Applying too late. Even fast options work best with a buffer.

Entry Checklist Before You Fly

• Approved e-visa, printed, with a digital backup.
• Passport with enough validity and blank pages.
• Pre-arrival declaration. Air travellers may need to complete Vietnam’s free online pre-arrival declaration before landing. Check the official government portal for current requirements, and avoid sites that charge for it.
• Return or onward flight details.
• First night’s accommodation details.
• Transit visas for any connecting country, if required.
• Travel insurance, which isn’t required for the visa but is a smart idea.

Staying Longer Than Planned?

The e-visa can’t be extended from inside Vietnam, so if you might stay longer, choose the 90-day option from the start. Ask us about other options, such as a new e-visa after leaving the country.