President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has announced that e-gates will be installed at Velana International Airport’s (VIA) new terminal by 1 January 2026, with similar systems to be introduced at other international airports across the Maldives in 2026.

In a post on his official X account, the President said the new e-gates, which are currently being installed at VIA, will feature advanced technology designed to ease congestion and reduce waiting times for both locals and tourists. He noted that the system will help eliminate long queues at border control counters.

Once operational, passengers will scan their passports at the gates, after which future border crossings will be processed through facial recognition.

A total of 20 e-gates, with 10 allocated for arrivals and 10 for departures, will be operational at VIA by the start of 2026. 

E-gates are widely used in major international airports, including those in the United Kingdom and Australia, and their introduction in the Maldives is expected to bring local border control procedures closer to international standards.