Published: March 19, 2025
This report is intended to supplement the U.S. Department of State Maldives Travel Advisory and Maldives Country Information Page.
Embassy & Consulate Contact Information
The U.S. Embassy Malé is located in Hulhumale, Maldives.
The physical office location will open late 2025.
For American Citizens Emergencies, it is still best to call ACS services in Colombo, Sri Lanka:
Tel: +(94) (11) 249-8500
After-Hours Emergencies: +(94) (11) 249-8888.
OSAC Country Chapters
There is no active Country Chapter in Maldives; RSO Malé is working to charter the country chapter by Q2 - 2025.
Contact OSAC’s Asia team with any questions.
Maldives Travel Advisory
The current U.S. Department of State Travel Advisory at the date of this report’s publication assesses that travelers should exercise increased caution in the Maldives due to terrorism.
Crime
The U.S. Department of State has assessed Malé as being a LOW-threat location for crime directed at or affecting official U.S. government interests.
The U.S. Department of State has not included a Crime “C” Indicator on the Travel Advisory for Maldives.
The crime emergency line in Maldives is 119.
Maldives has a low crime rate and crime on resort islands is rare. The penalty for drug use or possession is severe.
Most visits to Maldives surrounding the tourist resorts on remote islands remain relatively trouble-free, with low rates of violent crime.
As of the time of publication, the two most reported incidents to police in 2025 were theft and traffic accidents (384 and 370, respectively). More than 202 drug incidents were reported, along with 94 assault, 30 sexual offences, and 25 domestic violence incidents. Additional quarterly crime statistics can be found on the Maldives Police Service website.
The penal code states only Maldivian Islamic law penalties may be imposed for hadd (i.e., robbery, fornication, homosexual acts, alcohol consumption, apostasy) and qisas (i.e., retaliation in kind) offenses. Penalties could include hand amputation for theft and stoning to death for adultery, though this has not enforced.
Burglaries against foreigners typically involve the theft of mobile phones and personal belongings from beaches, cars, or residences that are left unsecured. Street-level scams usually target foreigners and occur under the guise of a “money-exchange.”
Some incidents of theft involve goods left on beaches or in hotel rooms. Be aware of your surroundings, especially when traveling to Malé.
There has been an increase in gang activity over the past ten years, particularly in Malé and Hulhumalé. Police have increased efforts to curb gang violence in Malé. The low levels of street gang activity have not affected foreigners.
Kidnapping Threat
The U.S. Department of State has not included a Kidnapping “K” Indicator on the Travel Advisory for Maldives.
There is minimal risk from kidnapping in Maldives.
Terrorism
The U.S. Department of State has assessed Malé as being a MEDIUM-threat location for terrorism directed at or affecting official U.S. government interests.
The U.S. Department of State has included a Terrorism “T” Indicator on the Travel Advisory for Maldives, indicating that terrorist attacks have occurred and/or specific threats against civilians, groups, or other targets may exist.
The Government of Maldives’s counterterrorism efforts concentrate on countering violent extremism and limiting the flow of foreign terrorist fighters. Those within the penal system or involved in criminal gangs are at a heightened risk of terrorist radicalization.
Since 2014, al-Qa’ida in the Indian Subcontinent (AQIS) has elevated the threat landscape in South Asia. The same month in which AQIS announced its formation, ISIS released a recorded call for the killing of U.S. citizens and anti-ISIS coalition members, encouraging lone-offender and target-of-opportunity attacks. There have been credible reports of Maldivian fighters traveling to Syria to fight alongside militants, including ISIS and AQ-affiliate al-Nusra Front. Dozens of Maldivians have died fighting in Syria.
An estimated 200 Maldivians, out of a population of approximately 400,000, were fighting in Syria and Iraq, making Maldives the world’s second largest supplier of foreign fighters per capita. Maldivian Police arrested a suspected ISIS-K recruiter in 2019, following his listing on the U.S. Department of Treasury list of terrorism financiers.
Violent attacks and threats have occurred against members of the local media, political parties, and civil society. In the past, killings and violent attacks have targeted secular bloggers and activists from Maldives.
As recent as March 2025, the Maldives Police Service (MPS) in collaboration with Maldives National Defense Force (MNDF), carried out a joint Counter-Terrorism Operation in Greater Malé Area. Three individuals were arrested, and locations and vehicles associated with the individuals were searched under court warrant and materials were seized. The operation reportedly thwarted a planned attack by these suspects at an unknown location, but MPS uncovered the plot in advance of any potentially catastrophic action. The transnational capabilities of select terrorist groups and ease of international travel require travelers to be vigilant in their personal security practices, especially at locations Westerners frequent. Attacks that may occur in remote areas could lengthen the response time of authorities.
Political Violence and Civil Unrest
The U.S. Department of State has assessed Malé as being a LOW-threat location for political violence directed at or affecting official U.S. government interests.
The U.S. Department of State has not included a Civil Unrest “U” Indicator on the Travel Advisory for Maldives. Civil unrest can develop quickly without prior notice, often interrupting logistics and services. Avoid demonstration activity, as even those planned to remain peaceful have the potential to turn violent.
Elections/Political Stability
The Republic of Maldives is a multiparty constitutional democracy. In 2018, voters elected Ibrahim Mohamed Solih president. Observers considered the election mostly free and fair, despite a flawed pre-election process, which was overseen by the former administration. Parliamentary elections held in April 2019 were well administered and transparent according to local and international observers.
In a runoff, Mohamed Muizzu won the 2023 presidential election.
Protests & Demonstrations
Demonstrations may take place in response to political or economic issues but primarily take place in Malé or other larger cities and are unlikely to be noticed by tourists.
There have been no recent reports of unrest or demonstrations on the resort islands or at the airport. Small scale protests may occur in Malé or other cities. These protests tend to occur spontaneously and in the evenings.
In 2015, authorities arrested a former President and the sitting Minister of Defense on terrorism-related charges, leading to a string of violent protests and a two-week state of emergency. In 2018, the government enacted a 45-day state of emergency following the refusal of former President Yameen to release prisoners as required by a Supreme Court judgement. While the state of emergency is no longer in force, there remains the potential for political disputes to inspire civil unrest.
In response to the conviction of former President Yameen Abdula, supporters of the opposition Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) have performed multiple protests in Malé including obstructing the current President’s motorcade. Throughout the presidential primary for the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), there were several disturbances reported across different voting stations in Male. However, disturbances decreased following the acceptance of the primary’s results by former President Mohamed Nasheed. Other small-scale protests over employee treatment have also occurred.
Visitors should exercise caution, particularly at night, and should avoid demonstrations and spontaneous gatherings. Those who encounter demonstrations or large crowds should avoid confrontation, remain calm, and depart the area quickly. Travelers should not engage in political activity in Maldives.
Anti-U.S./Anti-Western Sentiment
There have been no specific, credible threats (or attacks) directed against U.S. citizens or interests in Maldives. However, Maldivian nationals have traveled to Iraq and Syria to join or fight alongside ISIS. This could have an impact on anti-Western sentiment and activities if/when these individuals return to the Maldives.
Law Enforcement
The Maldives Police Service (MPS) is responsible for internal security, and reports to the Home Affairs Ministry. Approximately 4,300 personnel work for MPS across Maldives. Some of the primary directorates or commands include:
- Commissioner of Police: The senior-most police official
- Professional Standards Command: Internal investigations
- Central Operations Command: Malé and Hulhumalé city police
- Divisional Operation Commands: Police presence in approximate 20 atolls
- Crime Investigations: Drug enforcement, serious and organized crime, family and child protection, economic crime
- Internal Security Command: Marine police, specialist and custodial operations
- Intelligence Directorate: Primary intelligence and counterterrorism department
The Maldives National Defense Force is responsible for external security and disaster relief, and reports to the Defense Ministry. Civilian authorities maintain effective control over the security forces.
Police Response
In Malé and Hulhumalé, police response may be more rapid than in outlying islands. At resorts, check with management to note the best contact in case law enforcement response is necessary.
Travelers with Special Considerations
For specific traveler concerns in Maldives, review the local laws and circumstances on the Department of State’s Country Information Page.
Rule of Law, Arbitrary Detention, Official Harassment, Corruption, & Transparency
The U.S. Department of State has not included a Risk of Wrongful Detention “D” Indicator on the Travel Advisory for Maldives.
The law provided criminal penalties for corruption by officials, but the government did not implement the law effectively. There were numerous reports of government corruption filed with the Anti-Corruption Commission. According to NGOs, officials often engaged in corrupt practices with impunity because the government was slow to investigate, prosecute, and punish cases of corruption.
Cybersecurity
There are no cybersecurity concerns particular to private-sector operations in Maldives.
Import/Export Restrictions
Ensure luggage does not contain prohibited or restricted items, which include weapons, ammunition, alcohol, pornography, and religious material offensive to Islam, among other items.
Maldives announced a ban on the use, import, and sale of vaping devices, effective from November 15, 2024. It is illegal for travelers to bring electronic cigarettes (vaping devices) and all vaping solutions to Maldives. Customs will confiscate vaping devices and solutions and travelers could be fined or arrested. Do not bring or use vaping devices in the Maldives.
Although Maldivian law prohibits importing “idols for religious worship,” tourists traveling to the resort islands are generally allowed to bring in items and texts used for personal religious observances.
There are no restrictions on the import of satellite phones.
A country-specific listing of items/goods prohibited from being exported to the country or that are otherwise restricted is available from the U.S. International Trade Agency website.
Additional resources and reports can be found in the OSAC Traveler Toolkit.
