Maldives Immigration has simplified its processes for extending tourist visas through the “Maldives 2.0” initiative, aiming to improve digital services and provide a smoother experience for tourists visiting the Maldives.

Immigration states that the new policy, which was implemented on Thursday, is anticipated to considerably shorten the duration needed to process visa extension requests.

Immigration announced that visitors wishing to prolong their stay can now apply via the Imuga portal.

With the updated system, candidates are no longer obligated to input information that is already present in the Immigration database. Rather, the system will automatically fill in important details, such as passport data and lodging information. This improvement aims to streamline the visa application procedure and enhance user experience.

The system will automatically gather the necessary information by either entering a passport number or uploading the biodata page of the passport to the portal. Candidates must also provide a passport-sized photo that was taken in the last 12 months. The passport biodata page upload will be required only in certain situations, like when a passport is renewed or when the current information does not match the records in the system.

Furthermore, measures have been implemented enabling travelers to amend their lodging information directly in the app if they have relocated to another hotel or guesthouse. Immigration announced that, due to these enhancements, visa extension applications will be handled in 48 hours.

Although the processing time has been shortened, Immigration emphasized to visa holders the necessity of fully complying with the terms and conditions linked to their visas. The authority highlighted that this initiative marks a crucial advancement in the government's attempts to enhance public services and aid the tourism industry by utilizing cutting-edge technology.