President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has announced a major upgrade to immigration services at Velana International Airport (VIA), confirming that automated E-Gates equipped with modern biometric technology are being rolled out to ease congestion and reduce the time passengers spend at border control counters. In a post shared on his official social media channels on Wednesday, the President said that E-Gates have already been installed at Terminal 1, the newly opened international terminal, specifically to address the long queues that frequently form at immigration during peak arrival and departure waves. Once a passenger scans their passport at these gates, subsequent border clearances will be authorised through facial recognition, significantly shortening processing times for both Maldivian and international travellers.
According to the President, a total of 20 E-Gates will be deployed at VIA, with 10 gates in each of Terminals 1 and 2. The aim is to have E-Gates operational at both terminals before January, providing automated processing for both arrivals and departures. In a further update, President Muizzu stated that ten E-Gates will be installed for each terminal by 1 January 2026, reinforcing the government’s commitment to scaling up border automation at the country’s main aviation gateway. He also confirmed that similar systems will be introduced at other international airports across the Maldives, with all such gateways targeted to be equipped with E-Gates by 2026. This nationwide rollout is designed to create a seamless, technology-enabled entry and exit experience across the archipelago.
The introduction of E-Gates is particularly significant for the tourism sector, which relies heavily on efficient passenger throughput at Velana International Airport to support resort and guesthouse operations spread across the islands. The new terminal at VIA, which officially opened on 26 July 2025, has been designed to handle around seven million passengers annually and incorporates a range of modern enhancements, including expanded check-in facilities, aerobridges, and upgraded baggage and security systems. By combining this expanded physical capacity with automated border control, the airport is better positioned to handle peak international arrivals that typically coincide with resort check-in and seaplane or speedboat transfer schedules. Faster immigration clearance means less waiting time for guests, smoother transitions to domestic terminals and seaplane jetties, and more predictable transfer windows for resorts and liveaboards.
For resort operators, travel agencies, and aviation partners, the E-Gate deployment is expected to strengthen the Maldives’ competitive position as a high-end tourism destination by aligning passenger processing standards with those of leading global hubs. Automated immigration reduces bottlenecks, supports more accurate forecasting of passenger flows, and can ultimately help minimise delays that ripple through transfer operations, especially during high season when multiple wide-body flights arrive within short intervals. At the same time, the system’s reliance on facial recognition and digital verification supports improved border security and more consistent compliance checks, while still offering a more convenient experience for repeat visitors whose details are already captured in the system.
The E-Gate programme at VIA is part of the Government’s broader Maldives 2.0 policy, which focuses on digital transformation and the modernisation of public services. By embedding advanced technology into critical infrastructure such as international airports, the government aims to enhance service quality, increase operational efficiency, and support sustainable growth in the tourism-led economy. As the rollout expands to other international airports across the country by 2026, travellers flying directly to regional gateways serving key resort clusters can expect a similarly streamlined immigration experience, reinforcing the Maldives’ positioning as a seamless, premium destination from arrival to departure.
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