Maldives, Sri Lanka to hold talks on visa procedures
Shareef said discussions on easing visa procedures were already under way and would continue during the President’s meetings.
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President Mohamed Muizzu is scheduled to begin a state visit to Sri Lanka on Sunday at the invitation of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake.
The visit will run until Wednesday and will include official meetings aimed at strengthening bilateral ties and discussing areas of mutual interest.
According to Chief Spokesperson at the President’s Office Mohamed Hussain Shareef, visa-related difficulties faced by Maldivians living in Sri Lanka will be a key issue during the visit.
Speaking at his first press briefing since taking office, Shareef said discussions on easing visa procedures were already under way and would continue during the President’s meetings.
He said Sri Lanka tightened visa regulations following the Easter Sunday attacks and that later policy changes had created additional burdens for Maldivian residents.
According to the spokesperson, the current process includes a fee of USD 200 for each visa application, with extensions granted for one year.
He added that applicants also face a USD 75 medical fee and a required deposit of USD 1,000 per person.
“The current system poses various challenges,” Shareef said, adding that finding a solution would be a central part of next week’s talks.
He said discussions on the issue had been continuing for around two years.
Sri Lanka has long been a destination for Maldivians studying, receiving medical treatment and residing abroad.
According to figures cited at the briefing, around 12,000 Maldivians lived in Sri Lanka nine years ago. That number has since fallen to about 2,000.
