President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu says the new e-gates at Velana International Airport will be up and running before January 1st, bringing faster border control for travelers.
President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu announced the upgrade on X. He confirmed that installation work has already begun.
The new e-gates will use advanced tech. They aim to end long queues faced by Maldivians and tourists. Travelers will scan their passports once. After that, facial recognition will approve future crossings.
The President said 20 e-gates will be operational in the new terminal before January 1, 2026. Ten will be for arrivals. Ten will be for departures.
He added that more e-gates will be installed in other international airports across the Maldives next year.
The new VIA terminal can serve 7 million passengers annually. It includes several modern services. The government, under the Maldives 2.0 policy, continues to prioritize digital services and public convenience.
