FranceMaldives: Visa on arrival

FranceMaldives

Do France passport holders need a visa for Maldives?

Visa on arrival

A visa is not required in advance. France passport holders can obtain a visa on arrival in Maldives.

A visa is issued at the border on arrival, usually for a fee, with no advance application.

Source: immigration.gov.mv (checked July 18, 2026).

RequirementVisa on arrival

Maximum stayLength of stay varies

ScopeTourism, ordinary passport

Action before travelNone, travel on your passport

Data as of2026-10-14

Distance8,287 km, straight line (~10h 15m nonstop)

Visa-free access to Maldives241 of 242 nationalities tracked

Travelling the other way? Maldives passport holders visiting France: Visa required.

Maldives drives on the left, the opposite side to France. If you're renting a car, budget extra care at first, especially at junctions and roundabouts.

Other visa-free destinations for France passport holders

See all France destinations →

Frequently asked questions

Do France passport holders need a visa for Maldives?

A visa is not required in advance. France passport holders can obtain a visa on arrival in Maldives.

How far is Maldives from France?

About 8,287 km in a straight line, roughly ~10h 15m nonstop by air.

What currency is used in Maldives?

Maldivian rufiyaa (MVR).

What is the emergency number in Maldives?

102 / 118 / 119.

Does Maldives drive on the same side of the road as France?

Maldives drives on the left, the opposite side to France. If you're renting a car, budget extra care at first, especially at junctions and roundabouts.

What time zone is Maldives in?

Maldives (UTC+5).

What is the nearest airport to Male?

Velana International Airport (MLE), about 3 km away.

How many countries can enter Maldives without a visa?

241 of the 242 nationalities this site tracks can enter Maldives visa-free, with a visa on arrival, or with an eTA.

Visa rules change frequently and can depend on your specific circumstances. This site is compiled from public government sources and is provided for general information only. Always confirm requirements with the official immigration authority or a consulate of your destination before you travel.

About France

France, officially the French Republic, is a country primarily located in Western Europe. Its overseas regions and territories include French Guiana in South America, Saint Pierre and Miquelon in the North Atlantic, the French West Indies, and many islands in Oceania and the Indian Ocean. Metropolitan France shares borders with Belgium and Luxembourg to the north; Germany to the northeast; Switzerland to the east; Italy and Monaco to the southeast; Andorra and Spain to the south; and a maritime border with the United Kingdom to the northwest. Its metropolitan area extends from the Rhine to the Atlantic Ocean and from the Mediterranean Sea to the English Channel and the North Sea. Its 18 integral regions, five of which are overseas, span a combined area of 632,702 km2 (244,288 sq mi), with a total population estimated at over 69.1 million in 2026. Its capital, largest city and main cultural and economic centre is Paris, with a metropolitan population of over 13 million.

CapitalParis

RegionWestern Europe

Population68.7M

Area551,695 km²

CurrencyEuro (1 USD ≈ 0.89 EUR)

LanguagesFrench

Calling code+33

Drives on theright

TimezoneParis (UTC+2)

Nearest airportParis-Orly Airport (ORY), 14 km

Emergency number112 / 114 / 15 / 17 / 18

UNESCO sites71

Income levelHigh income

GDP per capita$48,986 (2025)

Tourist arrivals117.1M (2020)

Climate in Paris

Warmest August, coolest January, driest July, sunniest July. Best time to visit: July, August, September.

Monthly climate normals for Paris, 2020
Month	High	Low	Rainfall	Sunshine
January	8.9°C	3°C	32mm	138h
February	11.4°C	5.5°C	112mm	148h
March	12°C	4°C	70mm	236h
April	19.6°C	7.8°C	27mm	352h
May	20.6°C	9.4°C	30mm	357h
June	22.7°C	13.3°C	48mm	348h
July	25.4°C	14.4°C	12mm	362h
August	26.9°C	16.8°C	34mm	346h
September	23.3°C	13.4°C	33mm	293h
October	15.1°C	9.4°C	97mm	171h
November	12.9°C	5.9°C	20mm	175h
December	8.6°C	3.9°C	136mm	114h

Avg. high/low, °C (left axis) Rainfall, mm (bar maxes out at 250mm/month)

Daily normals for 2020. Hover a month for exact figures.

Travel guide

France is a country with which almost every traveller has a relationship. Many dream of its joie de vivre shown by the countless cafés, picturesque villages, and world-famous gastronomy. Some come to follow the trail of France's great philosophers, writers and artists, or to immerse in the beautiful language it gave to the world. Others still are drawn to the country's geographical diversity, with its long coastlines, massive mountain ranges and breathtaking farmland vistas. France is famously home to Paris, the enchanting City of Love, where romance dances in the air and every corner whispers sweet nothings.

UNESCO World Heritage Sites

Abbey Church of Saint-Savin-sur-Gartempe
Abbey of Fontenay
Ancient and Primeval Beech Forests of the Carpathians and Other Regions of Europe
Arles, Roman and Romanesque Monuments
Beaches of the D-Day Landings, Normandy, 1944
Belfries of Belgium and France
Bertrimoutier Franco-German war cemetery
Canal du Midi
Cathedral of Notre-Dame, Former Abbey of Saint-Rémi and Palace of Tau, Reims
Champagne hillsides, houses and cellars

Upcoming public holidays

November 1, 2026Toussaint

November 11, 2026Armistice 1918

December 25, 2026Noël

Full source list on About.

About Maldives

The Maldives, officially the Republic of Maldives, and historically known as the Maldive Islands, is an archipelagic country in South Asia, located in the Indian Ocean, near the southeastern boundary of the Arabian Sea. The Maldives is located southwest of India and Sri Lanka, about 750 kilometres from the Asian continent's mainland. The Maldives' chain of 26 atolls stretches across the equator from Ihavandhippolhu Atoll in the north to Addu Atoll in the south.

CapitalMale

RegionSouthern Asia

Population529.7K

Area300 km²

CurrencyMaldivian rufiyaa (1 USD ≈ 15.46 MVR)

LanguagesMaldivian

Calling code+960

Drives on theleft

TimezoneMaldives (UTC+5)

Nearest airportVelana International Airport (MLE), 3 km

Emergency number102 / 118 / 119

Income levelUpper middle income

GDP per capita$14,615 (2025)

Tourist arrivals555K (2020)

Travel guide

The Maldives are a chain of low-lying coral islands in the Indian Ocean with picture-perfect beaches, strikingly blue water, and luxury resorts. There are 200 inhabited islands and 165 islands with tourist resorts. Just under the surface of the beautiful blue ocean, there's a wealth of wildlife to see: over 2000 species of fish in all colours of the rainbow roam the clear waters around the islands.

Full source list on About.