A Maldivian Passport can be issued to any Maldivian citizen who applies for a passport. If the applicant is under the age of 18, a passport can be issued by the request of either a parent, or by a legal guardian.
Application for Dhivehi Passport shall be submitted via Imuga, the online platform for immigration services, from 22nd July 2020.
Follow these steps to apply for Dhivehi Passports via IMUGA
- Visit imuga.immigration.gov.mv and register.
- Select ‘Dhivehi Passport’ service.
- Select the reason for applying for passport and upload the filled passport application form with required documents.
- Pay the passport fee via Bank of Maldives gateway.
- If the application is complete, a notification will be sent via SMS with the date and time to collect the passport.
Instructional video: https://bit.ly/3bfP2k7
Requirements for the passport application
- Filled Passport Application form, IM01.
- Valid National Identity card (a damaged card will not be accepted).
- Passport fee MVR1000..
- A passport size photo taken within a month to the date of application. The photo should be compliant to the Passport photo standard for Maldivian Passports.
- Relevant legal documents from the court as a proof guardian, if the request is from the legal guardian for an applicant under the age of 18.
- Previous passport (valid or expired) of the applicant for cancellation, if there is any.
- A doctor certificate and a letter from the applicant stating the passport collector’s information, if the applicant is admitted in the hospital.
Additional Requirements for Passport Application
Electronic Passport
- Applicants aged 10 years and above shall request for a Regular Electronic Passport. The applicant should be able to attend to Maldives Immigration to collect the passport.
- Applicants between 10 – 18 years of age need to
attend Maldives Immigration with one of the applicant’s parent. If any of
the parent is not able to attend (being out of the island/country), a
letter from either of them, with the following information needs to be
faxed/mailed:
- The name, address, NID number of the applicant (child)
- The name, address, NID number of the person collecting on behalf the parents.
- Reason for not being able to attend.
Note: A sample letter (Iguraaru Letter) is in the Downloads of the website. If the letter is to be sent from an island, it has to be sent through the Island Council, and if from a country where the Embassy of the Maldives exist, it has to be sent through Embassy (in other situations, it is advisable to contact Immigration for more information).
Non-Electronic Passport
Non-electronic passports are issued to the following categories:
- Children below the age of 10 years.
- Applicants residing abroad; who are therefore unable to attend to collect the passport.
- Applicants who are 70 years and above, and unable to attend to collect the passport.
- A permanent illness/disability or temporary medical condition which renders an applicant who is about to travel, unable to walk or have difficulty in walking.
For applicants below the age of 10 years, the passport will be issued to either one the parent or to a legal guardian. If neither of them is able to collect the passport, a letter by either of them is needed. In addition, the same procedure has to be followed if the applicant is unable to attend to collect the passport, with a valid reason. For instance, a person residing in abroad.
Note: A sample letter (Iguraaru Letter) is in the Downloads of the website. If the letter is to be sent from an island, it has to be sent through the Island Council, and if from a country where the Embassy of the Maldives exist, it has to be sent through Embassy (in other situations, it is advisable to contact Immigration for more information).
Passport in Emergency Cases
Emergency passports are mostly issued in medical cases when the applicant is unable to attend to Immigration, due to the critical condition of the illness.
In addition to the application form, doctor’s letter will be needed with the explanation of the medical condition of the applicant.
If such a case is to be attended during non-working hours or on public holidays, acquire assistance from the duty officer via 9555333.
Renewal of a valid passport
A valid passport can be renewed if the reason for renewing the passport is valid and acceptable. If the passport has a validity of more than eight months, cancellation fee of MVR100 will be charged per year in addition to the passport fee. However, if the validity of the passport is less than eight months, the cancellation fee will not be charged.
Passport remaining validity of the passport will be counted from the date of application. As such, even if a day exceeds more than a year, it would also be considered as an additional year. For instance, if the remaining validity is two years and one day, it would be considered as three years and the cancellation charge would be MVR300. If the validity is more than a year, a letter of the applicant is required with relevant documents to explain the reason for renewal.
However, cancellation fee will not be charged if the passport is full. A passport is considered full, if the passport has four or less blank visa pages.