Embassy of The Maldives, Japan.

Visitors to the Maldives do not require a visa prior to their arrival.A tourist visa for 30-days, which is free-of-charge, will be issued to all bona-fide visitors upon arrival provided that the following conditions are met:

Should posses a valid passport

Should have a valid ticket to continue the journey out of Maldives

- Should have enough funds to cover the expenses for duration of the stay in Maldives. (US$100 + $50 dollars per day) or a confirmation of reservation in a tourist resort or a hotel more… »

Consular assistance and other services that can be provided by the Embassy include, assisting in renewing and processing of passports for Maldivian nationals, issuing temporary travel documents for Maldivian nationals in emergencies, facilitating the renewing and processing of National Identification Cards for Maldivian nationals, assisting in the registration of marriages and births/deaths of Maldivian nationals and attesting legal and official documentation for Maldivian and Japanese nationals.

The Embassy will also endeavour to assist in providing accurate and timely travel advice and other related information as well as to disseminate travel related documentation to those wishing to travel to the Maldives.

The Embassy kindly requests the Maldivian Community in Japan to register with the Embassy by completing the Online Registration Form below: We also encourage them to kindly keep their registration up to date as possible by informing us of any change of details.

Registration Form

Diplomatic relations between the Maldives and Japan was established in 1967. Over the past 40 years, relations of friendship and mutual cooperation between the two countries have grown from strength to strength. Japan is now the biggest bilateral donor of the Maldives. From such sectors as human resources development to environmental protection, sustainable fisheries to communication and humanitarian and reconstruction assistance in the aftermath of the tsunami, Japanese assistance have now virtually reached all corners of the Maldivian archipelago.

Apart from their bilateral relations, the two countries have also been cooperating and working closely in the international fora on important international issues as wide-ranging as international peace and security, protection of the global environment and promotion and protection of human rights thought the world. The Maldives have publicly announced its full support for Japan’s bid to become a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council.

The Government of the Maldives believes that the opening of the Embassy of the Maldives in Tokyo would help elevate the most cordial bilateral relations that the two countries enjoy today to new heights of mutual respect, friendship and cooperation.

Passport renewal

Please kindly complete the following two forms and submit to the Embassy with all the necessary documentation mentioned in the forms. Incomplete forms will not be accepted.

Request for Passport Service
Passport Application Form

The Embassy provides notary and authentication services for official documents issued by the Government of Maldives. For documents not issued by the Government of the Maldives, but which requires notarization by the Embassy must be referred to a Notary Public first for notarization before presenting it to the Embassy for services.

The applicants are required to fill a ‘Notary and Authentication Service Form”, which is available online or at the Embassy, when requesting service. 3 working days are required for notary and authentication services.

At present the Embassy do not charge any fee for such services.

Notary and Authentication Service Form

We request the Maldivian Community in Japan to kindly register with the Embassy by completing the Online Registration Form below. We also encourage the Community to kindly keep their registration up-to-date by informing us of any changes.

EMBASSY OF THE MALDIVES
Iikura IT Building, 8F,

1-9-10 Azabudai, Minato-ku,
Tokyo 106-0041,
Japan

TELS：03-6234-4315; 03-6234-4674
FAX：03-6234-4316
E-mail:info@maldivesembassy.jp

MAP

NATIONAL SYMBOLS OF THE MALDIVES

National Flag

The colors green, red and white characterize the Maldivian National flag: The green rectangle, which represents the innumerable palm trees, the life source of the islands, is surrounded by red, the blood of the nation’s martyrs who sacrificed their lives for the nation, and is dominated by a white crescent in the centre, the symbol of Islamic faith.

National Emblem

The crescent, a star, a coconut palm, two national flags and a banner with the traditional title of the state “ Ad–Dawlat Al–Mahaldheebiyya” (“The State of the Maldives”) represent the National emblem.

 National Tree

Maldivians have done the beneficial coconut palm justice by declaring it the National Tree in 1985. All parts of it can and are used; there is no waste. Its leaves/branches are used as material for the roofs. The product, cadjan, is widely used for roofing the bungalows at the newly built resorts. The branches are also used for making local brooms, essential for the daily sweeping of the roads and yards in the islands. On special occasions you can admire huge fish or other objects and decorations made out of these branches – an art form in itself.

The fruit itself is an essential part of Maldivian cuisine, the juice of a young fruit “kurumba”, is a delicious, refreshing drink. The ripe coconut is used with dried fish, in short eats or as coconut milk. Coconut shells are a good source of fuel keeping a fire burning for a long time and on the islands you can still find specially made irons heated by these shells.

National Flower

The pink rose was declared the National Flower in 1985. It is a rare beauty – just like the country it represents.

The beautifully carved tombstones in some of the old cemeteries and the fine stone carving of the Hukuru Miskiiy in Male’ bear witness to the intricate skills of Maldivian stone carvers of the past. Maldivians are deft craftsman producing beautifully crafted pieces mostly out of what is available locally. Although many of the skills have been passed on from generation to generation and lives on even today.The art calligraphy has strong connections with the Islam. Old and new mosques display beautifully penned versus from the Holy Quran. The Islamic Center exhibits some of the finest samples of the work of modern calligraphers in the country.

While many crafts have become obsolete, others have found new life with the advent of tourism. The production of ornaments from tortoise shells and black coral once valued by visitors has now ceased completely because of the growing careness among the public on the need to preserve the environment.
Wooden Lacquer Ware

Perhaps the most distinctive of the Maldivian handicrafts, these are almost exlclusively produced in Thulhaadhoo in Baa Atoll. Liye Laajehun as it is called in Dhivehi involves the process of shaping and hollowing out pieces of wood to form beautifully crafted boxes, containers and ornamental objects. Made from the local funa, (Alexandrian laurel) which grows abundantly throughout the country, they come in various shapes and sizes; small pillboxes, vases of various sizes to round and oval plates with lids. These elegant pieces are lacquered in strands of red, black and yellow resin and delicately carved with flowing flowery patterns.

Mats

Beautiful red mats are woven throughout the country, the most famous of which are those that are woven by the women of Gadhdhoo in Gaafu Dhaalu Atoll. Thundu Kunaa as they are known in Dhivehi ranges in size from that of a place mat to a full size single mattress. The women of Gadhdhoo collect the reeds called haa from the nearby island of Fioari. They are dried in the sun and stained with natural dyes, the colour varying from fawn to black. These mats with their intricate abstract designs are woven on a handloom according to the imagination and skill of the weaver.

Boat Building

Although the tools used in the building of dhonis have changed, little has changed of its basic design. As in the past, the boats are still being built without a documented plan. The design and symmetry of the boat emerges as the boat is being built.

Imported hardwoods are used in the place of coconut wood, which was used in place of coconut wood, which was used in the past to make the hull. Copper rivets are used to hold the planks together instead of coir, which was used for the purpose even half a century ago. The square sail made of coconut fronds gave way to a triangular lateen sail. Even though this is still considered essential and is carried on board, it is used only during emergencies or to ease the strain of the engines. Almost all Dhonis are driven by diesel power.
Dhonis are mainly used for fishing and provide the livehood for a large proportion of the population. Others are modified to be used for transportation of passengers.

A dhoni may be as small as 10ft. (3 m) used mostly to travel across short distances or to traverse the shallow waters of the lagoon. Islanders often use these ferry across to nearby islands for firewood. The average fishing dhoni used to be around 10 metres (33 feett), however the new generation fishing vessels can be twice the size or even larger. The basic design of dhonis has proven to be seaworthy as it has been tested and tuned for centuries. Even the luxury cruise vessels that are built in the country uses the same basic hull design and can be as long as 30 meters (100 feet) or more.

Bodu Beru
Bodu Beru is the most popular form of music and dance in the country, enjoyed by the young and the old, men and women. There is a Bodu Beru troupe in almost every inhabited island and is regularly played at special functions and festivalss.
The musical instruments used in Bodu Beru consist of three or four drums and a variety of percussion instruments. The drums are made from hollowed coconut wood and covered on both ends with manta ray skin or goat hide. A lead singer chants the lyrics and a chorus of 10 to 15 follows as they clap to the beat of the drums. The rhythm build as the song continues until it reaches a frenzied crescendo.
As the rhythm picks up, dancers come out from amongst the troupe swaying to the rhythm. As the beat becomes faster the dancers leap and jerk to the beat as if in a trance. Onlookers join in the clapping and dancing. Old men, suddenly catch a stray rhythm and throw themselves into the arena. To wild applause from the crowd they gyrate and grimace in their dance, passing on to the young what they have learnt from their forefathers. According to some historians Bodu Beru was introduced to the country in the early 19th century by African slaves. During the reign of Mueenuddeen I these slaves were liberated and sent to Feridhoo in Ari Atoll. It is believed that bodu beru spread out from there to become one of the most popular forms of entertainment in the country.

Thaara
Thaara also holds a special place in local entertainment. Two lines of men attired in white sit on the ground and sing beating hand drums while others dance between them. Thaara is believed to have been introduced from the Middle East in the seventeenth century. Today Thaara is only played at national events.

Dhandijehun
Dhandijehun is another form of entertainment, which is popular throughout the country. This is mostly performed to celebrate festive events such as Eid and other national occasions.

Bandiyaa Jehun
Bandiyaa Jehun is a more popular form of dance performed by young women. The women carrying metal water pots stand in two lines facing each. They sing and dance to melodious tunes while taping the rhythm on the pots with rings worn on the fingers.

Although western pop and Indian music is quite popular today, traditional forms of music and song that have been passed down to us by our ancestors survive. Raivaru, farihi and bandhi are all unique styles of singing that are still practiced by people around the country.

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Improving the health status of the population has always been in the forefront of the country’s international engagement, beginning with collaboration with WHO as early as 1959, some six years ahead of becoming an independent nation.

Significant gains have been achieved in the health status of the population, leading to an epidemiological transition by mid-1990s. Nevertheless, there are still issues of pressing concern, specially in areas of micronutrient deficiency.

Today, the local campaign to improve the health status of the people is joined by rising concern about global health issues as well.

The Maldives recognizes the importance of global health as a critical component of development. Globalization has increased at a brisk pace, and so too has spread infectious and resurgent diseases. HIV/AIDS is arguably one of the biggest challenges the global community has ever faced. Moreover, the emergence of new pathogens has become a major concern around the world.

Furthermore, global pandemics such as the SARS and avian influenza (bird flu) have already taken the lives of many. It is believed that the avian flu virus has the potential of transforming itself into a new pandemic strain, against which the human population would have little or no immunity. According to scientific research, such a global pandemic could kill over a hundred million people.

In addition to direct health hazards to its population, the Maldives, as a country that depends heavily on tourism and travel, faces the additional economic risk associated with global pandemics.

The Maldives believes that a concerted global effort is necessary to rid the world of such infectious diseases and pandemics. More importantly, developing countries such as the Maldives needs assistance to build capacity, infrastructure and effective health systems.

The Maldives attaches great importance to the protection of the environment. From climate change, to sustainable development, to natural disasters such as the 2004 tsunami, environmental factors have a significant impact on the fortunes of rich and poor countries alike.

The Maldives, being a Small Island Developing State with a fragile and vulnerable environment has strongly advocated and called for the protection of the environment at various international meetings. Moreover, the Maldives actively engages in implementing the outcomes of such meetings such as the Mauritius Declaration.

The Maldives also encourages all States to ratify the Kyoto Protocol on Climate Change, and supports and calls for international cooperation for a stronger global environmental regime.

Within the SAARC region, too, the Maldives has actively campaigned for greater attention to environmental concerns. In addition to hosting several ministerial level conferences to address various aspects of regional co-operation to advance environmental protection, the Maldives also hosts the SAARC Coastal Zone Management Centre.

Environmental protection remains a major focus of collaboration with international development partners. The Male Breakwaters and Sea Wall project, funded through Japanese government grant assistance, under which coastal defences have been built around the island of Male’, the capital, home to over one-third of the population, cost nearly US$ 70 million. What saved the capital from destruction when the tsunami swept through the entire archipelago was this coastal ring.
The tsunami recovery programme includes the innovative concept of Safe Islands, with higher elevation, flood proof shelters, coastal defences, and conservation features.

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