Maldives
Regulations on entry, stay, residence, and treatment access for people living with HIV
The categories of restriction are:
- Restrictions on short-term stays which in most cases is defined as under 90 days.
- Restrictions on long-term stays which in most cases is defined as over 90 days.
The types of restriction are:
- HIV testing/disclosure required for work visa.
- Ban on residence.
Restrictions on entry to Maldives
It is unclear whether the Maldives imposes restrictions on entry of people living with HIV.
According to the website of the Maldivian Government, all non-nationals arriving in the Maldives must complete and submit a ‘Traveller Declaration’ form. The travel declaration contains a health declaration, however we were not able to identify the questions or specific fields.
According to the Maldives Immigration Act 2007, Article 8 states that people living with ‘a dangerous contagious disease that may be of risk to public health, or considered to have any other dangerous diseases’, are not granted leave to enter the Maldives. It is not clear if this would include HIV.
Restrictions on short-term stay in Maldives
We are aware of some official restrictions on short-term stay of people living with HIV in the Maldives.
According to UNAIDS, HIV testing is required for work permits.
According to the Maldives Immigration website, for obtaining a work visa, a medical health screening report of the employee issued from a hospital/clinic authorised by the relevant government authority is required
The form for the medical health screening (also available on the Ministry of Health website) requires HIV testing along with tuberculosis, hepatitis, and syphilis, in addition to a chest X-Ray.
IOM reports that these screenings are ‘narrowly focused on determining migrants’ fitness to work rather than educating them on how to avoid health risks and seek treatment. While standard health screening tests could be performed by most clinics throughout the country, verification of positive-cases can be performed only by IGMH in Male. The duration of this process can vary, depending on IGMH’s technical and human resource capacities.’
Restrictions on long-term stay in Maldives
There is some evidence of official restrictions on long-term stay in the Maldives based on HIV status.
According to UNAIDS, residency permits are denied on the basis of HIV status.
Treatment access in Maldives
The following summarises available information on access to healthcare for people living with HIV in the Maldives. There is no evidence that non-nationals are restricted from accessing treatment in the same way as nationals.
According to UNAIDS, in the Maldives, every HIV-positive result (screening test) will be notified to the National programme, for confirmatory testing and linking to treatment and care. An HIV test is available from all the hospital and health centres; anyone can access to these services free of charge. In addition there are eight centres designated to promote and offer free testing and counselling. Two VCT centers have been established outside the public health system, within NGOs that offer targeted services for key populations, youth and migrant workers. Maldives has national guidelines for HIV testing and counselling endorsed in April 2009.
IOM reports that despite the obligation of employers to provide all migrant workers with health insurance, the coverage provided – especially to lesser skilled workers – is typically the most basic. Furthermore, migrant workers are usually not provided with information about their insurance package coverage in an easily understood language and may be confronted with higher charges than most Maldivians.
Sources
The HIV Justice Network's Global HIV Criminalisation Database
Visit the Maldives page on the Global HIV Criminalisation Database to see more information about known HIV criminalisation laws in this country, an overview of how the laws are used, and any significant advocacy developments.
UNAIDS Global AIDS monitoring data
This information about access to HIV services comes from UNAIDS https://lawsandpolicies.unaids.org/, a platform to view data on HIV-related laws and policies. This is information provided by national authorities and civil society and may contradict other sources.
Migrant populations
| Laws/policies enable documented migrants to access HIV services under the same conditions as citizens | N/A |
| Laws/policies enable documented migrants to access HIV services under the same conditions as citizens implemented (countries with such laws/policies) | N/A |
| Laws/policies enable undocumented migrants to access HIV services under the same conditions as citizens | N/A |
| Laws/policies enable undocumented migrants to access HIV services under the same conditions as citizens implemented (countries with such laws/policies) | N/A |
| Migrants are able to access HIV services | N/A |
Refugees and asylum seekers
| Laws/policies enable asylum seekers to access HIV services under the same conditions as citizens | N/A |
| Laws/policies enable asylum seekers to access HIV services under the same conditions as citizens implemented (countries with such laws/policies) | N/A |
| Laws/policies enable refugees to access HIV services under the same conditions as citizens | N/A |
| Laws/policies enable refugees to access HIV services under the same conditions as citizens implemented (countries with such laws/policies) | N/A |
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This site focuses on information about HIV travel. Please also consult your own Foreign Office/Ministry of Foreign Affairs website, or the local consulate of the country you are visiting, to see what restrictions there are specifically for you as a citizen of your country, regardless of your HIV status.
