A resolution presented to Parliament today urges the implementation of pre-approval visa procedures and electronic authorization for tourists visiting the Maldives.

Submitted by South Mahchangolhi MP Ahmed Haitham, the resolution aims to streamline the entry process for tourists, addressing concerns over lengthy visa processing times and instances of travelers being denied entry upon arrival.

Citing statistics from immigration records, the resolution highlights that out of the total tourist arrivals in the past five years, 9.58 million individuals required visas to enter the Maldives.

Additionally, data indicates that 9,940 individuals were denied visas during this period, resulting in forced returns to their home countries.

With the government targeting two million tourist arrivals this year, the resolution emphasizes the importance of ensuring visa accessibility to support tourism growth.

The proposed measures seek to enhance the visitor experience by reducing processing delays and eliminating instances of denied entry, ultimately contributing to a smoother and more efficient tourism process in the Maldives.