Republic of Maldives · family

Sponsorship Declaration

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Pre-arrival sponsorship approval for bringing a foreign national to the Maldives for visiting, dependency or approved reasons.

Requires sponsorshipDoes not lead to permanent residencyThe sponsored person must arrive in the Maldives within 30 days of approval.
Processing time
Submitted through IMUGA before arrival. The official page advises buying tickets only after sponsorship is approved.
Government fees
Confirm current IMUGA fee requirements before filing.
Typical duration
The sponsored person must arrive in the Maldives within 30 days of approval.
Sponsorship required
Yes
Leads to permanent residency
No
Reviewed Maldives Immigration ↗

In short

As of 13 July 2026, the Sponsorship Declaration for Republic of Maldives is a sponsor-led Maldives immigration route. Sources: official Republic of Maldives government pages, reviewed 13 July 2026.

Cite this: https://visaatlas.org/visas/maldives/sponsorship-declaration#answer

What is the Sponsorship Declaration in Republic of Maldives?

Sponsorship Declaration is a sponsor-led Maldives route. Indicative government fees are Confirm current IMUGA fee requirements before filing; indicative processing time is Submitted through IMUGA before arrival. The official page advises buying tickets only after sponsorship is approved; typical duration is The sponsored person must arrive in the Maldives within 30 days of approval. This route does not lead to permanent residence.

Verified against Maldives Immigration on 27 June 2026.

Overview

A Sponsorship Declaration is a permit requested by a Maldivian or professional-category visa holder to bring a foreign national into the Maldives for visiting, dependency or other approved reasons. The sponsor assumes responsibility for the sponsored person's stay. Once approved, the pre-arrival sponsorship approval slip can be viewed in IMUGA, and the sponsored person must arrive within 30 days of approval.

Eligibility

Typical criteria

Common blockers

Typical evidence

Application pathway

  1. Check the route fit

    Confirm the sponsor type and purpose before filing.

  2. Build the evidence pack

    Sign in to IMUGA, select Sponsorship and choose the appropriate reason or subtype.

  3. Submit through the official channel

    Attach Form IM21, passport, sponsor identity/status and relationship documents.

  4. After approval

    Wait for approval before buying tickets and ensure arrival within 30 days of approval.

After approval: prepare for your next step

For Sponsorship Declaration, use the actual decision and the issuing authority’s instructions to establish what has been granted. A successful application, permission to enter, permission to work and a residence document are not interchangeable.

  1. 1. Check the decision. Confirm the name, passport, status granted, start date and any next action. Resolve an error with the authority before relying on the document for travel or employment.
  2. 2. Establish the travel step. Read any entry window, activation, collection or in-country registration instruction. For an extension or change of status, do not assume leaving the country is required or safe while a further step remains pending.
  3. 3. Confirm what you may do. Check the conditions for your own permission, including work, and keep evidence of the qualifying relationship. The principal applicant’s conditions may differ.
  4. 4. Organise the household. Check each accompanying person’s permission separately, then arrange healthcare, accommodation, access to money and the relevant local registrations. A tax number or bank account does not by itself prove a right to work.
  5. 5. Keep the ongoing conditions visible. Record the actual expiry, renewal process, permitted absences and any duty to report changes. An initial grant does not automatically establish permanent residence or citizenship.

Official application links

Where to actually go next

Government links only

These are the official pages to use for this route. Open them before preparing documents: the forms, fees, appointment systems, and sponsor steps can change without warning.

  1. Official guidanceApplicant + sponsor
    Use official Sponsorship Declaration route page ↗

    Use this official page to confirm requirements and follow the government filing route for Sponsorship Declaration.

    Maldives Immigration · verified

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Frequently asked questions

Who can request a Maldives Sponsorship Declaration?+

The official page says it can be requested by a Maldivian or a professional-category visa holder to bring in a foreign national.

How quickly must the sponsored person arrive?+

The official page says the sponsored person must arrive in the Maldives within 30 days of approval.

Need tailored advice?

We do not provide legal advice. For an application that depends on your exact circumstances, consult a regulator-listed immigration advisor.

Find a regulated advisor in Maldives

How we verified this

We check every figure on this page against the primary government source, record the date it was last checked, and re-check it on a regular schedule. Rules change, so always confirm time-sensitive details with the official source before you rely on them. Visa Atlas is an information-only publication and does not give legal advice.

Primary source: Maldives Immigration

Last checked: 27 June 2026

See the full evidence trail and methodology