Bank of Maldives (BML) has begun selling U.S. dollars at Salman Mosque’s conference hall and its Hulhumalé branch to facilitate currency exchange for pilgrims traveling for Umrah during the upcoming Ramadan.

The service will be available from February 14 to February 27, between 9:00 AM and 2:00 PM, and from March 2 to March 13, between 9:30 AM and 11:30 AM.

Each pilgrim is eligible to purchase up to USD 500, with a single individual allowed to buy for a maximum of five people. To make a purchase, ID cards or passports of the pilgrims must be presented. Payments can be made via BML debit card or in cash. If a proxy is sent, their ID card must also be provided, BML stated.

The bank clarified that dollars will only be sold to individuals listed in the pilgrim records submitted by Umrah groups. Other Umrah travelers can withdraw dollars from the departure hall of Velana International Airport by completing the transaction through the USD booking portal.

Additionally, BML customers outside Malé will have access to U.S. dollars at their nearest BML branch.

Following a directive from President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu, BML has also increased the dollar spending limit on debit cards for Umrah pilgrims to USD 1,500. This applies to those traveling during Ramadan and the first six days of Shawwal.

In addition to this new limit, debit cards will retain their existing monthly USD 250 spending cap.