President Dr Mohamed Muizzu announced today a new measure aimed at facilitating access to foreign currency for Maldivian pilgrims.

According to a statement shared on X, the President indicated that the Government had requested the Bank of Maldives to allocate an additional limit of USD 1,750 on each pilgrim’s debit card, supplementing the existing dollar withdrawal allowance.

The initiative is designed to provide a convenient and secure method for Hajj pilgrims to obtain US dollars at the official exchange rate, thereby reducing reliance on informal currency channels.

This latest measure follows a similar directive issued earlier this year in February, when President Dr Muizzu requested both the Bank of Maldives and the Maldives Monetary Authority (MMA) to provide an additional limit of USD 1,500 on debit cards for individuals travelling for Umrah during the month of Ramadan. That initiative likewise aimed to ensure that pilgrims could access foreign currency through official banking avenues.

The President expressed his appreciation to the Bank of Maldives, noting the institution’s continued efforts in supporting the needs of Maldivian citizens.