With effect from 18 December 2002, Maldivian nationals do not need a prior visa when travelling to the UK. If you are coming to the UK as a visitor, you are allowed to stay for up to six months in most cases, but please note that  acceptance or rejection or duration accepted all lies at the discretion of the immigration officer.

As you would when you travel to any other country, it is essential that you have funds to stay in the UK as well as details of accommodation arrangements and return ticket.

If you are staying with a member of family or friend, it is advised that you carry a letter of sponsorship from them, which states that you will be residing with them for the duration of your stay in the UK. Failing all this might mean that you are refused entry and sent back on the next plane out of UK.

Download sample sponsorship letter here. Please note that this is sample letter ONLY. Carrying this letter does not guarantee entry into the UK and that visa acceptance or rejection or duration accepted, all lies at the discretion of the immigration officer.

Please note that this is only a visitor’s visa meant for recreational purposes. i.e. it is not for education or work purposes, or to get married in the UK.

To come to the United Kingdom as a general visitor, you must be able to show that:

• you are 18 or over;
• you only want to visit the United Kingdom for up to six months, or up to 12 months if you are accompanying an academic visitor;
• you intend to leave the United Kingdom at the end of your visit;
• you have enough money to support and accommodate yourself without working or help from public funds, or you and any dependants will be supported and accommodated by relatives or friends;
• you can meet the cost of the return or onward journey; and
• you are not in transit to a country outside the common travel area.

You must also show that, during your visit, you do not intend to:

• take employment, produce goods or provide services, including the selling of goods or services directo to members of the public;
• undertake a course of study;
• marry or form a civil partnership, or give notice of marriage or civil partnership;
• carry out the activities of a business visitor, a sports visitor or an entertainer visitor; or
• receive private medical treatment.

For further information that may not be available on this website, please visit the following link.
http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/visitingtheuk/