The Maldives is a buzzing tourist spot for foreign nationals around the world. Millions of tourists travel to the country for relaxation and recreational purposes. The country has beautiful beaches, which are a major spot of attraction. However, the beaches are not the only reason people visit the country.
It is very much possible that people may have to visit Maldives for reasons other than tourism. Rather, for business purposes, to attend to business matters. For such cases, foreign nationals must get a business rather than a tourist visa.
This article highlights the Maldives business visa, its requirements and validity, and how to apply for one.
What is a Business Visa?
A business visa is used to visit a country for business purposes. Suppose you have business purposes, such as attending a business meeting, conference, seminar, or any other business matter, such as closing deals, etc., and traveling to another country. In that case, you must get a business visa. The business visa isn't the same as a work visa and does not allow indulging in employment activities.
What is a Maldives Business Visa?
A Maldives business is a type of visitor visa, and it is a short stay visa that allows visitors to stay in Maldives for any business activities they may have.
This temporary stay visa allows any foreign national to stay for a short while only. This visa can be issued to a foreign national for multiple entries. A multiple entry visa will allow an individual to come to Maldives repeatedly until the visa expires.
The Maldives business visa should not be confused with a Maldives work permit. The business visa only allows individuals to partake in business activities per se, and the business visa does not allow individuals to indulge in any employment opportunities. You must have employment approval and apply for a work visa for employment purposes.
The processing time for the business visa is about 5 to 10 days. You will get the visa early if all your documents and application form is properly completed.
What is the Validity of the Maldives Business Visa?
The business visa for Maldives is valid for about a year. It is a multiple entry visa, and you can stay for up to 90 days for every visit.
Once the validity period of the business visa ends, you must apply for the visa again.
What are the Requirements for the Maldives Business Visa?
There are certain requirements for the business visa which you must fulfill if you want to acquire the visa.
You need to fill out the Maldives visa application form properly. The visa applicant information form asks for personal details of the visa applicant and basic details.
Moreover, you must submit your original passport. The passport should be valid for at least 6 months after you leave Maldives. Ensure the passport is in a form where all the details can be read. You must also submit a copy of the passport, and the passport bio data pages must be scanned and submitted.
Moreover, you have to submit passport photos. The passport photos should not be too old and should be from within 6 months. Moreover, you must not be wearing glasses in it. The passport photos should preferably have a white background.
You must submit your travel itinerary, highlighting your plans, when you plan to visit the Maldives, and when you plan to leave it.
Usually, all visas need proof of sufficient funds. Therefore, you can submit a copy of bank statements to prove you can cover your costs during the trip. You must submit proof of accommodation such as hotel bookings, etc.
When you apply for a business, the additional documents include submitting a business letter. This letter should be from the company who you are visiting. It can be an invitation letter addressed to the Maldives Consulate and contain information about the nature of your visit. It should provide information about the visa applicant, company details, and relevant people to contact.
You must submit the business registration certificate. The business registration copy will prove you are going to a legit company in Maldives.
If a company is sending you as a representative of that company, then you must submit a cover letter from your company describing the purpose of your visit.
You must also pay the visa fee to seal the deal and process your visa! Visa approval will be taken care of by the concerned government authority.
How to Apply for the Maldives Business Visa?
Applying for the Maldives business visa can be done in two ways. You can visit the Maldives Embassy or Consulate in your country or a visa application center. Or you could apply for the visa online!
VisaHQ is a third-party service that offers visa services. The platform makes it easy to apply for any visa from anywhere. Therefore, if you are an individual with limited time on your hands, you may find the visa process of applying online easier.
To start with, you need to choose Maldives as your destination and choose your home country. Next, you need to select a business visa, read through the requirements, and then you can fill out the business visa application form. Once you have filled out the form, you must submit all the related documents and pay the visa fee.
Once done, wait for the visa to be processed and mailed to you!