Schengen visa in Maldives can now be applied for online, via e-visa services.
In a post on social media X, Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdulla Shahid stated that the European Council is adopting new visa rules which would allow e-visa application by Maldivians for Schengen Visa once the process begins.
The ministry stated that upon completion of administrative work related to the newly adopted rules by the European Council, the ministry will announce a date of when the service will commence.
Schengen Area includes 27 European countries. Previously, Maldivians were required to travel to Sri Lanka to seek visas for these countries.
In 2020, a VFS Global Joint Session Visa Application Centre was opened in the Maldives. This brought ease of access in obtaining visas, but did not extend to all countries in the Schengen Area. Foreign Ministry stated that the introduction of e-visa services would allow applications for all 27 European countries.
Maldivian passport holders are granted on arrival visas in 101 countries, making it the strongest passport in the South Asian region.
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