Maldivians can Travel to Belarus Visa-Free Under New Agreement

Maldivians will soon be able to travel to Belarus without a visa after the Maldives and Belarus signed an agreement establishing a visa-free travel arrangement between the two countries.

The agreement was signed today on the sidelines of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly, currently being held in New York.

Maldives Foreign Minister Iruthisham Adam signed the agreement on behalf of the Maldivian government, while Belarusian Foreign Minister Maxim Ryzhenkov signed on behalf of Belarus. The agreement forms part of ongoing efforts to strengthen diplomatic and bilateral ties between the two countries.

Under the agreement, citizens of the Maldives and Belarus will be able to enter each other’s countries without a visa for stays of up to 30 days per visit. For multiple visits within a one-year period, visa-free stays will be permitted for a total of up to 90 days. The arrangement will also provide greater convenience for transit travel.

Following the signing, the two foreign ministers discussed further ways to strengthen relations between the two countries. Minister Khaleel said the agreement is expected to further deepen ties between the peoples of the Maldives and Belarus, while Belarus expressed appreciation for the close relationship it maintains with the Maldives.

The agreement is also expected to benefit Maldivian students pursuing higher education in Belarus. According to Foreign Ministry figures, more than 140 Maldivian students are currently studying at medical universities in Belarus. Previously, these students and their families faced visa-related difficulties when travelling between the two countries, an issue the new agreement is expected to ease.

The development also comes as Belarusian national carrier Belavia prepares to launch direct flights to the Maldives ahead of the upcoming tourist season. With direct flights and the new visa-free arrangement, the Maldivian government expects the number of Belarusian visitors to the Maldives to increase, while business and educational links between the two countries could also expand.

Belarus is an emerging tourism market for the Maldives. According to Tourism Ministry statistics, 7,443 tourists from Belarus visited the Maldives last year. Belavia is expected to begin direct flights between Belarus and the Maldives toward the end of this year.