MMA Restricts $1,000 Medical Travel Allowance to Six Countries

MALÉ, Maldives — The Maldives Monetary Authority (MMA) has restricted the US$1,000 allowance for Maldivians traveling abroad for medical treatment at their own expense to six countries, the authority has announced. According to the MMA, the $1,000 will be issued only to those traveling to India, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The MMA said the decision to change the policy was aimed at ensuring that foreign currency provided for medical needs is directly spent on those needs. It said dollars for self-funded medical travelers will continue to be issued through banks, as before. Those traveling for treatment through Aasandha will continue to receive $2,000 without any change, as before, the MMA said. Starting in August 2025, the amount of dollars issued for medical treatment was increased in an effort to address difficulties faced by Maldivians traveling for treatment. Under that change, those traveling under Aasandha and with the assistance of the National Social Protection Agency (NSPA) received up to $2,000, while those traveling at their own expense received $1,000. However, with that change, the amount of dollars issued for medical treatment increased unusually. According to MMA statistics, by the end of September 2026, $41.1 million had been sold for medical needs. Last year's total was $18.51 million, while the amount sold by the end of September 2026 was nearly three times higher than in the same period last year. The largest share of this amount was funds issued to those traveling for medical treatment at their own expense. By the end of September this year alone, $29.2 million had been sold to self-funded travelers. The tripling of this amount within about a year is the main reason for questions and concerns that the money is being used improperly. Relevant authorities believe that such strict measures are important to maintain the Maldives' foreign currency reserves, reduce undesirable impacts on the economy, and facilitate fair access to dollars for citizens who genuinely need them.