Travellers to Sri Lanka will now be required to obtain an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) before departure, while travellers to India must complete the e-arrival card online before travelling.

Previously, Sri Lanka allowed on-arrival visas for all travellers without the need for advance authorisation. Under the new procedure, all travellers must submit an online ETA application form 24 to 48 hours before departure.

For India, the e-arrival card, which was earlier completed and handed over at the immigration counter, must now be submitted online within 72 hours before travel. The change aims to streamline immigration processing and reduce the time spent at airport counters.

According to the Maldivian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, these changes do not affect the current visa arrangements for Maldivian nationals travelling to Sri Lanka or India.