News Desk
Maldivians and Seychellois can now travel between the two countries without a visa, after a visa exemption agreement between the Maldives and Seychelles entered into force on Thursday, 15 May 2026.
The agreement allows nationals of both countries to visit for short stays of up to 30 days without prior visa arrangements. The deal came into effect during the first official visit to the Maldives by a Seychelles Foreign Minister, Barry Faure, marking a notable moment in the diplomatic relationship between the two island nations.
Both countries are Small Island Developing States and share common interests on issues ranging from climate change to ocean governance. Officials said the agreement is expected to encourage more direct travel between the two countries, boost tourism and open opportunities for tourism-related investment on both sides.
The Maldives has been expanding its network of visa-free agreements in recent years as part of broader efforts to strengthen bilateral ties and improve the reach of the Maldivian passport, which currently ranks 49th globally on the Henley Passport Index and remains the strongest in South Asia for the seventh consecutive year.
