A century of travel identity
Long before modern security features, Maldivian travellers carried simple paper credentials issued by the government. Each generation of the passport reflects the country's journey toward stronger sovereignty, security and international trust.
Key milestones
- Early 1900s — Hand-written travel permits issued for limited overseas journeys.
- 1970s — First standardised machine-typed passport booklets introduced.
- 1990s — Machine Readable Passports (MRP) launched, aligning with ICAO standards.
- 2007 — Biometric ePassport rolled out with embedded RFID chip and digital photo.
- Today — Polycarbonate data page, advanced anti-fraud features and global e-Gate compatibility.
Why it matters
A modern passport is more than a travel document — it is a symbol of national identity and a key to global mobility.
- Stronger protection against identity theft and document fraud.
- Faster border clearance through automated e-Gates worldwide.
- Visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to a growing list of destinations.
- Trusted recognition by international airlines and immigration authorities.
Each redesign is reviewed against ICAO Doc 9303 standards to keep the Maldivian passport secure and globally accepted.
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Last updated: May 2026