E-gate services for Maldivian passengers have been officially launched at Velana International Airport (VIA) Terminal 1, delivering on a commitment announced by President Dr Mohamed Muizzu.

The service was inaugurated at a special ceremony held on Wednesday by Controller General of Immigration Ahmed Faseeh, with Commissioner of Police Ismail Naveen and Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL), Ibrahim Shareef Mohamed, in attendance.

President Dr Muizzu had announced in November that e-gate services would be introduced at Velana International Airport Terminal 1 by 1 January 2026, as part of efforts to modernise border control operations. He said the system would use advanced technology to ease congestion and significantly reduce waiting times at immigration counters for both Maldivians and visitors.

A total of 20 e-gates are planned for Terminal 1, with 10 designated for arrivals and 10 for departures. At present, five e-gates have been installed in the arrivals area and five in the departures area.

The e-gate service has initially been made available to Maldivian passengers. Authorities said the system will be expanded in the first quarter of 2026, with all 20 e-gates becoming operational and accessible to both Maldivian and foreign travellers.