Maldives Entry Requirements

In accordance with the health requirements of­ the Maldives Government, all guests travelling to the Maldives are required to submit a health declaration questionnaire ­HERE ­­­­­­within 48 hours prior to their departure ­to­ ­and ­­from­ the Maldives.

Passengers entering to Maldives are no longer required to present a PCR negative test result upon arrival if the individual(s) have completed the prescribed dose(s) of a Covid-19 vaccine that is being approved by the Maldives Food & Drug Authority or by the World Health Organization (WHO) Emergency Use Listing (EUL) and at least 14 (fourteen) days have passed since. (Booster dose(s) are not required to be eligible for this exemption).

At the Resort

Please be informed that effective from 1st March 2022, we will no longer be conducting any PCR or Lateral Flow Tests (LFT) for guests upon arrival. However, if a guest requests a PCR test for departure purposes, we will be happy to provide that. Furthermore, if a guest shows any symptoms of COVID-19 during their stay with us, we will conduct a PCR test and follow the protocols to ensure the guests are isolated until they test negative.

MALDIVES HEALTH DECLARATION

*VERY NB* It is a requirement that all travellers entering the Maldives must submit the on-line health declaration form WITHIN 24 HOURS PRIOR TO YOUR DEPARTURE TO MALDIVES.

**Please ensure completed from the morning of departure – we ask that you please save this link in order to complete as it has to be completed personally by EACH individual.

https://imuga.immigration.gov.mv/ethd/create?lang=en

Scroll to the bottom and click ARRIVAL and complete the form

• You will be required to upload a photo of yourself (can be a selfie direct from your phone)
• You will be asked if you have entered a Yellow Fever endemic country in the last 10 days. If “Yes”, you will be asked for the date of your Yellow Fever vaccination date
• The site does request a copy of your Vaccine certificate to be uploaded
• Upon completion and submission of the Health Declaration, you will receive a QR code: please save this to your phone or print it out for presentation on request

**Your confirmation of accommodation reservation will be included in your pre-departure Bidvest gift pack 

VISAS & PASSPORT INFORMATION

• When entering Maldives as a tourist, you will be granted a 30-day visa upon arrival
• Your passport must be valid for a minimum of one month. However, if arriving by air, most airlines state that your passport should be valid for a minimum period of 6 months from the date of entry into the Maldives.

BIDVEST INTERNATIONAL PREMIER LOUNGE (Departures, South Africa)

You have been booked into the Bidvest Premier International Lounge at OR Tambo Airport on the evening of departure.. Please note, however, that due to maintaining strict COVID regulations and requirements, your entry is limited to the time of the departure of your charter flight, and we request your utmost respect of the control requirements in this regard.

You will receive via email, prior to departure, your colour-coded Lounge Voucher – these will be issued based on the flight you are boarding to the Maldives:

AIRLINE & BAGGAGE INFORMATION

• Your Air Tickets for flight will be included in your pre-departure Bidvest gift pack 
• It is expected the flights will depart from TERMINAL A (any changes will be communicated) and the flight departure counter numbers/weigh bays will be communicated nearer the time
• Check-in for each flight only opens 3 hours prior to each flight departure time:
• As has been stated, these are private Bidvest Charter Aircraft. However, formal ACSA boarding passes are issued on check-in and as such, seat reservations will be handled as per normal commercial airline operations at the check-in counter on day of departure
  • Business Class seats, regrettably, are limited and are pre-reserved for Bidvest EXCO

At check-in you will require the following:

• Your passport
• Printed copy of Hotel reservation in Maldives
• QR Code from your Maldives Health Declaration – either coded on your mobile or printed
• A SA Health Declaration form is required to be completed before passport control (provided at check-in)

Aircraft Luggage Restrictions:   

Checked baggage:   HOLD = 20kgs

HAND =  5kgs plus a handbag or laptop bag

Liquids, Aerosols & Gels

• You may only carry Liquids, Aerosols and Gels (LAGs) in your hand luggage in containers that have a maximum capacity of 100 millilitres each
• You may carry several containers with liquid contents
• These containers must be packed in a resealable, transparent plastic bag
• The total capacity of the plastic bag must not exceed one litre
• It must be possible to open and re-seal the plastic bag
• Each passenger can carry ONLY ONE of these bags
• These bags must be removed from your hand luggage and presented to security on request

**Exceptions to the above include: Medication; Baby food; Special diet food

RESTRICTED ITEMS FOR IMPORT / ARRIVALS INTO MALDIVES

Please note is an offence to import the following items into the Maldives:

• Explosives, weapons, firearms, ammunition
• Pornographic material
• Materials deemed contrary to Islam, including “idols of worship” and Bibles
• ALCOHOL , pork and pork products are banned from importation into Maldives

Please note:

• The export from Maldives of tortoise shell, seashells and corals is FORBIDDEN

Any of the above will be immediately confiscated and you will be subject to prosecution

** Alcoholic drinks are only available on Resort Islands. Do not bring into a Resort, or take away from a Resort, any alcoholic beverages.

**In this vein, please do not purchase duty-free alcohol at your airport of departure for the Maldives as such will be confiscated and you will be subject to prosecution

WHAT TO PRE-PACK & HELPFUL HINTS

• We suggest that you pack a fresh change of light clothing and swimsuit in your hand luggage so that you can immediately relax and be comfortable when you arrive in your Villa. It is a possibility that your luggage may only arrive at your Villa after your arrival

• Plug Points & Adaptors:

The plugs that are used on the Island look like below: small 3-pronged square

Please note that there are regrettably NO spare adaptors on the Resort that are able to convert foreign plug types to their sockets. PLEASE ensure that you travel with a suitable international adaptor for charging your equipment.  As an example, similar to the below would be required for suitable adapting:

DRESS CODE

As we have already described in our introduction site and video, the coolest mantra exists at Soneva Fushi ~  No News …. No Shoes… And NO MASKS.

And this is serious – NO SHOES, not even for our gala dinner will this be a requirement (just “Island Chic” dress code required, but without shoes if preferred!)

Of course, if you truly cannot bear to have ‘naked feet, slip slops/flip flops or open sandals is ALL you will need for the week!

This incentive is different in every aspect of the meaning – enjoy!

Gala Dinner Dress Style

Per your “message in a bottle” invitation to the Dinner, ‘Island Chic’ is the theme.

As always, there are official photographs on the night so shorts and t-shirts is respectfully denied.

• Ladies – summery, flowing, long, shorter……comfortable beach elegance

• Gents – be comfortable in chic trousers with a collared shirt

CURRENCY ON THE ISLAND

The Maldivian Rufiyaa is the currency of Maldives. However, the Island trades in USD (US Dollars), GBP (British Pounds) and they do accept Credit Cards for any personal extras that you may need to settle on departure.

*If you are wishing to personally tip any member of the staff on the island – which is purely at your discretion – the most effective is USD or EUR.

INCLUDED AT SONEVA FUSHI

It is our pleasure to confirm that each person is gifted US$250.00 credit for the duration of the stay. It is only possible to use this allowance for activities on offer on the Resort that require a supplementary charge. Any other purchases (premium brands alcohol, gift shop, laundry services e.g., will be for your own account and will be billed individually prior to your departure)

• All Group Meals as described in the itinerary (breakfast, lunch & dinner)

*there are certain restaurants that require a supplementary charge if wishing to book e.g., “Flying Sauces”, listed on the ‘Activities Document’

• Open Bar in all bars & restaurants with brands that are selected for the Group

*there are certain premium brands that may be available but will be for your own account

• Villa Mini Bars will be fully stocked with pre-arranged alcoholic beverages on your arrival – they will not be re-stocked with alcohol again. Alcoholic beverages will be available for consumption at the various outlets on the Resort that are open and at meals
• Villa Mini Bars will be fully stocked with soft drinks and will be replenished daily
• Complimentary variety flavours of home-made ice creams/sorbet and chocolates at “So Hot, So Cool”
• Complimentary sports per the activity list provided on this site

*certain activities, as indicated thereon, require a supplementary charge

• Complimentary Group activities (“Sonu’s Island Picnic Party” & “Dolphin Cruise”) and any refreshments offered for the duration of such
• Complimentary bicycle for each person whilst on the island
• Complimentary wireless internet in-villa and designated public areas

**Boutique purchases, premium brand liquor and activities as clearly indicating a charge are EXCLUDED

*Apart from arrival/isolation day, In-Villa dining is not included nor encouraged (for own account) due to 100% occupancy and logistics efficiencies