The Maldives Immigration Service has announced the changes to the visa issuance following the introduction of the e-visa service.

The biggest change is that foreigners will be issued e-visas from November 23, instead of submitting their passports at the immigration counter.

Immigration said foreigners who have a valid work visa issued before November 23 will be automatically converted to an e-visa after that date, but will be deemed valid.

However, the single/multiple entry visas issued before November 23 will not be automatically converted to e-visas through the system.

Foreign workers with work permits have to request an e-visa after November 23, which will be considered as valid work visas.

If a foreigner is newly arriving in the Maldives with a work permit, he will be allowed to enter only if he has an entry pass issued by the Home Ministry.

In addition, it is the responsibility of the employer registered in the expat online system to apply for a work visa within 15 days from the date of arrival.

Those with single/multiple entry visas issued before November 23 should apply for e-visas 30 days before the expiry date of their current visas.

Passports submitted before November 23, but not collected for various reasons, will be available from 8:30 am to 1:30 pm on working days from the eighth floor of the Immigration Star Cloud Building.

The validity of the e-visa can be checked on the Immigration website. More information on the e-visa will be available by contacting 9199157 or 9919153.