Maldives

The Maldives is situated in the South West of Sri Lanka, on the equator. The numerous coral reef islands, 1,190 in total, form an archipelago of 26 natural atolls (groups of neighboring coral islands). These 26 atolls are organized into 19 administrative atolls with the capital island of Male' established as an entity of its own forming the twentieth division. Seen from above, the atolls and the islands form breathtakingly beautiful patterns against the blue depths of the Indian Ocean.

The Maldives has been an independent state throughout its known history, except for a brief period of 15 years of Portuguese occupation in the 16th century.

The Maldives became a British Protectorate in 1887 and remained so until 26 July 1965. The independent Maldives reverted from a Sultanate to a Republic on 11th November 1968. The first written constitution was proclaimed in 1932.

Resort Islands in the Maldives are self-contained - they have their own power, water, telecommunication, food outlets, transportation, storage, and other facilities which are essential to sustain a small town - these facilities are of international standards.

Therefore, the guest has no access to other Islands for the entire stay unless he/she wishes to take a boat ride to the neighboring resort/island for some reason.

To enter Maldives, no pre-arrival visa is required. A thirty-day free tourist visa is issued on arrival for all Nationalities, provided: they possess a valid passport with Machine Readable Zone (MRZ) - (standard ICAO Annex 9, chapter 3.10.1) and they have at least 6 months validity.

TGST is a tax charged under the Tourism Goods and Services Tax Act (19/2010) on the value of goods and services supplied by tourist establishments and the service providers mentioned in this Act, to tourists in the Maldives. TGST Tourism sector GST rate increased to 12% from 1 November 2014 onwards.

Green tax is a tax payable by tourists who stay in tourist resorts, tourist hotels, and tourist vessels. It is also payable by tourists who stay in tourist guest houses from 1 October 2016 onwards. Green tax is payable at the rate of 6 United States Dollars per day of stay from tourist resorts, tourist hotels and tourist vessels, and 3 United States Dollars per day of stay from tourist guesthouses. Maldivians and resident permit holders are not required to pay Green Tax.