Azerbaijan and the Maldives are now implementing their reciprocal visa exemption agreement.
According to Azerbaijan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in a statement published on April 29, 2026, the measure applies to citizens of both countries holding valid ordinary passports. The agreement, signed in New York on September 24, 2025, entered into force today after the completion of the required internal procedures.
Azərbaycan Respublikası və Maldiv Respublikası vətəndaşlarının vizadan qarşılıqlı azad edilməsi haqqında Sazişin qüvvəyə minməsinə dair mətbuat məlumatı
— MFA Azerbaijan 🇦🇿 (@AzerbaijanMFA) April 29, 2026
⬇️⬇️⬇️https://t.co/EINM4B0TpG pic.twitter.com/bsTHy8sc3C
According to the Maldivian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, nationals of both countries may enter, leave or transit through the territory of the other state without a visa, provided their stay does not exceed 90 days from the date of entry.
“This marks a significant milestone in the Government’s overall efforts towards achieving visa-free travel for all nationals,” the Maldivian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.
Effective today, Maldivians can visit Azerbaijan without a visa and stay up to 90 days. As the Mutual Visa Exemption Agreement between the #Maldives and #Azerbaijan enters into force, nationals of both countries will now be exempt from visa requirements for short stays 🇲🇻 🇦🇿
— Ministry of Foreign Affairs 🇲🇻 (@MoFAmv) April 29, 2026
What changes for travelers from both countries
Until now, Maldivian travelers wishing to visit Azerbaijan were required to obtain an Azerbaijani visa. They could notably apply for a standard e-Visa, issued within three business days, or an urgent e-Visa, available within three hours.
For Azerbaijani citizens traveling to the Maldives, the applicable system was the tourist visa issued on arrival, with no prior application required, provided they met the entry conditions set by Maldivian immigration authorities.
The Maldives recorded 4,990 tourist arrivals from Azerbaijan in 2025, up 10% year over year. Azerbaijan, for its part, welcomed 2.57 million foreign and stateless visitors in 2025, while 2.11 million Azerbaijani citizens traveled abroad that same year.
