This week saw representatives of the governments of Tajikistan and the Maldives gather together in New York City for a meeting that would eliminate the need for passport holders of either country to require a visa to enter the other.
A specially arranged signing ceremony on Tuesday 26 November 2024 saw the agreement between the two nations formalized by Mr. Jonibek Hikmat, the Permanent Representative of Tajikistan to the United Nations, and Mr. Ali Naseer Mohamed, his opposite number from the Republic of Maldives.
The new bilateral agreement ensures that passport holders from these two countries are exempt from the usual visa requirements and regulations of those entering the countries. The agreement covers those wishing to visit, transit, or temporarily stay in either Tajikistan or Maldives, so long as a traveler’s time in the nations does not extend beyond 30 days on any one trip.
An end date has yet to be included in the agreement, meaning that the countries intend the new visa exemption scheme to remain indefinitely. However, the scheme will only come into force at land, air, and sea borders 30 days after each nation’s domestic legal procedures have been completed. The date for this to happen is still unknown but is expected to be imminent.
This means that for the time being, passport holders seeking to visit Maldives from Tajikistan, and vice versa, should continue to follow current rules as detailed by diplomatic missions and other trustworthy sources.
The introduction of a new intergovernmental visa-exemption agreement is seen as a win for both countries. It will provide Maldivians with better connectivity within Asia, while Tajikistan aims to foster new trade and tourism opportunities.