The Maldives Association of Travel Agents and Tour Operators (MATATO) has issued a public warning to tourists regarding fraudulent websites falsely claiming to charge visa fees for entry into the Maldives.

MATATO clarified that there is no visa fee for tourists visiting the Maldives, as the country provides free tourist visas on arrival. The organisation has urged travellers to exercise caution and avoid falling victim to these scams. 

MATATO has directed visitors to use the official government platform https://imuga.immigration.gov.mv/traveller for accurate and secure visa information.  

One website specifically identified by MATATO is https://www.maldives-entrymale.com. Tourists are advised not to trust any source or website that demands payment for a tourist visa to the Maldives.

For further assistance or clarification, MATATO can be contacted via email at [email protected].

Travellers are reminded to stay alert and rely only on official resources to avoid being scammed.