The government has begun the process granting Indian nationals traveling into the Maldives, visa-free entry for business purposes.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs revealed that the Maldivian government has initiated the process of granting Indian nationals visa-free entry into the island nation, for business purposes and a period not exceeding the visa-free period of 90 days.

This comes as stipulated in the “Agreement on the Facilitation of Visa Arrangements” between the governments of Maldives and India, signed on 17 December 2018.

A multiple entry, non-resident, business visa will be granted for Indian national for a period of 90 days within six months, as part of the reciprocal arrangement.

Indian nationals with an approval business visa are eligible to renew their visa up to 180 days within a calendar year.

This, the ministry said, is in addition to the visa-free period of 90 days stipulated in the bilateral agreement.

Applications are required to be lodged with the Ministry of Economic Development throughhttps://business.egov.mv/GeneralServiceRequeststhrough prior expiry or visa-free entry period.

The ministry went on to reveal that the business visas will be renewed prior to the date the existing approval expires.

Further, an employment approval will be required to be obtained by Indian nationals holding a business visa whose allowable business visa stay exceeds 180 days within a calendar year.