The new visa agreement signed with neighbours India would see the Maldives relax and ease the visa process for Indians seeking employment in the archipelago, president Ibrahim Mohamed Solih said Wednesday.
The agreement was signed during Solih's three day state visit to India as the two countries reset ties after the recent downturn.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi had said the new agreement will address the common concerns and ensure that people-to-people contacts are enhanced.
President Solih had hailed the agreement as one which will facilitate many Maldivians who send their children to school in India, to be able to accompany them.
- 90-day visa for medical and business purposes.
- Maldivian tourists can change visa to a medical visa without having to leave the country.
- Maldivians can get medical visa up-to 12 months.
- Multiple entry student visa.
- Parents of Maldivian students studying an entry would get multiple entry visa.
- Relaxed criteria for parents and children of students.
Speaking during a press conference to brief the media on his maiden state visit, president Solih said in return for the generous leeway offered to Maldivians from India, Maldives would ease the process Indians had been facing to get work visa in the island nation.
During Solih's predecessor's government, Maldives immigration had put a squeeze on granting work permits to Indians since March this year.
Indian media had reported that while round 29,000 Indians live and work in the Maldives, and an estimated 2,000 have pending applications for work permits.
"We will ease the recent difficulty faced by Indians in getting work visa in the Maldives," Solih replied when asked what would India get from the new visa agreement.
