Govt proposes permanent ban on Israeli passport holders entering Maldives

The government has submitted a new Immigration Bill to Parliament that would permanently prohibit Israeli passport holders from entering the Maldives, removing the condition linking the existing ban to Israel's actions against Palestinians.

The bill, submitted on behalf of the government by the MP for Kulhudhuffushi North, received its first reading at Monday's parliamentary sitting.

Under an amendment to the Immigration Act ratified on 15 April 2025, Israeli passport holders are prohibited from entering the Maldives until Israel ends what the legislation describes as inhumane acts against the Palestinian people.

However, the new Immigration Bill lists Israeli passport holders among the categories of people who are not permitted to enter the country, without linking the restriction to the continuation of the conflict or Israel's actions in Palestine.

The proposed change would mean that the entry ban would remain in place even if the war ends or the conditions cited in the existing legislation change.

The bill also identifies several other categories of foreign nationals who would be prohibited from entering the Maldives.

These include individuals considered a threat to the country's sovereignty or national security, as well as members of terrorist organisations, people suspected of having links to such organisations and individuals identified as terrorists.

The proposed legislation would also prohibit entry to people who have committed or are suspected of committing offences classified as crimes under international law.

Individuals charged by the International Criminal Court, those subject to arrest warrants issued by the court and people listed by the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol) would also be barred from entering the country.

The restrictions would extend to people evading judicial proceedings or investigations in other countries.

On public health grounds, the bill would allow entry restrictions on individuals suspected of having diseases that pose a threat to public health. It would also cover travellers arriving from countries or regions identified by the Ministry of Health or international health authorities as experiencing disease outbreaks.

Other prohibited categories include nationals of countries designated by the Maldivian government where diplomatic relations have been severed or suspended, and individuals previously deported from the Maldives with restrictions preventing their return.

The bill would also prohibit entry to people considered likely, on reasonable grounds, to engage in activities that could undermine the country's social or religious unity.

Individuals barred from entering the Maldives under other legislation would likewise remain subject to entry restrictions.

Most of these categories were already included in the existing immigration legislation. However, the new bill provides more detailed definitions and descriptions of the circumstances under which entry may be refused.

The proposed legislation would replace the conditional restriction on Israeli passport holders with a prohibition that does not specify an expiry date or depend on developments in the conflict involving Israel and Palestine.

The bill will require parliamentary approval and presidential ratification before becoming law.