Maldives to Extend Tourist Visas for Stranded Visitors After Middle East Travel Disruptions

The Government of Maldives has announced that tourist visas will be extended for all visitors currently stranded in the country following the severe disruption to international travel caused by the Middle East conflict that began on 28 February 2026.

The decision comes after multiple Gulf airspaces were closed and several flights to and from the Maldives were cancelled, leaving many travellers unable to depart before their visas expire.

The conflict triggered widespread airspace closures across key transit hubs including the UAE, Qatar, Bahrain and Kuwait resulting in mass flight cancellations and grounding thousands of passengers across the region. With the Maldives heavily dependent on these hubs for long‑haul connectivity, many tourists found themselves unable to secure outbound flights or alternative routes.

Authorities confirmed that the visa extension is intended to ensure that visitors do not fall into overstay status due to circumstances entirely beyond their control. The measure applies specifically to travellers whose departure has been directly affected by cancellations linked to the Middle East conflict.

Maldives Immigration has instructed affected tourists to submit their visa‑extension requests through the Imuga portal, the country’s official online immigration platform. Additional support teams have been deployed at Velana International Airport to assist stranded passengers with guidance, documentation and travel‑planning challenges.

The Maldives is currently in a peak tourism period, and the sudden loss of flights from major Gulf carriers has created significant operational strain. Resorts, guesthouses and travel operators are coordinating with authorities to accommodate extended stays, while airlines continue to adjust schedules based on evolving airspace restrictions.

The government emphasised that maintaining the Maldives as a safe, welcoming and visitor‑friendly destination remains a priority, and that all necessary measures will be taken to support travellers until normal flight operations resume.