90-day visa exemption for Maldivians traveling to Azerbaijan

Effective today, Maldivian citizens travelling to Azerbaijan on ordinary passports will be granted entry without the requirement of a prior visa.

According to a statement issued today by the Foreign Ministry, this new arrangement permits Maldivian nationals to remain in Azerbaijan without a visa for a maximum duration of 90 days.

In line with the government’s policy of enhancing the global standing of the Maldivian passport, this development offers considerable convenience for Maldivians travelling to the region that bridges Asia and Europe.

This facilitation follows the implementation of the Visa Exemption Agreement signed between the two countries on September 24, 2025, on the sidelines of the 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.

The agreement was signed by then-Foreign Minister Abdulla Khaleel, on behalf of the Maldives, and Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov on behalf of Azerbaijan.

Under this agreement, reciprocal privileges are extended to citizens of both countries holding ordinary passports. Previously, Maldivian travellers were required to obtain an e-visa or apply through an embassy prior to departure. As of today, travellers may enter Azerbaijan seamlessly by presenting basic documentation, such as return tickets and confirmed accommodation bookings.

Prior to this, visa exemptions were in effect for Maldivian nationals holding diplomatic and official passports since June 18, 2025, under a separate agreement concluded the previous year. However, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs noted that visa requirements remain applicable in certain circumstances. Travellers intending to stay beyond 90 days, or those visiting for employment, education, or business purposes, are required to obtain the appropriate visa before departure, in accordance with standard international protocols governing such agreements.

This development is expected to further strengthen bilateral relations and create new opportunities for tourism and trade. As Azerbaijan serves as a strategic hub connecting Asia and Europe, it presents valuable prospects for both Maldivian entrepreneurs and tourists. Furthermore, with Azerbaijan Airlines having commenced direct flights between Baku and Malé, travel and people-to-people exchanges between the two countries are anticipated to increase.

The Maldivian passport remains among the most powerful in the South Asian region, with Maldivian citizens currently enjoying visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to more than 90 countries worldwide.