Complete Guide to Studying in India from the Maldives
Complete Guide to Studying in India from the Maldives
Malé to Mumbai is a flight of just over an hour and a half. Since the Maldives has no medical school and only a handful of engineering seats at home, most Maldivian students look abroad anyway — and Maharashtra's Foreign National route gets you there with no entrance exam. Here is exactly how it works, sourced from fn.mahacet.org and studyinmaharashtra.org.
Maldivians already enjoy visa-free entry to India for tourism and medical visits — but that exemption does not extend to studying. Enrolling in a degree programme still requires a proper Student Visa, applied for separately, and a clear admissions process before that. The good part: Maharashtra removes the biggest friction point for most study-abroad destinations, since nearly every professional course is taught entirely in English.
Here is the complete process, step by step, sourced from fn.mahacet.org and studyinmaharashtra.org.
Step 1 — Check Eligibility and Gather Your Documents
Under the Foreign National Student (FNS) category on fn.mahacet.org, any Maldivian citizen holding a completed O-Level or A-Level (Cambridge-pattern) certificate can apply to Engineering, MBBS, Pharmacy, MBA, and other professional courses without sitting India's MHT-CET entrance exam. Because the Maldivian school system doesn't follow the CBSE or ICSE boards, one extra document applies to almost every Maldivian applicant.
Step 2 — The Application, Fee, and Visa Timeline
Once your documents and AIU equivalency certificate are ready, the process runs through the CET Cell portal first, then the High Commission of India in Malé for your Student Visa. Because tourist entry is visa-free, it's easy to assume studying is too — it isn't, so this step cannot be skipped.
From Registration to Arrival
Steps and fees as published on fn.mahacet.org. Verified 2026-27.
* Fees and sequencing sourced from fn.mahacet.org's country-specific admission guides; equivalency requirement from fn.mahacet.org's application FAQ. High Commission of India, Malé contact used for the visa stage.
Step 3 — What It Actually Costs
The Maldives has one of the smallest domestic higher-education systems in South Asia — no medical college and very limited engineering seats — so most families already budget for study abroad. Against that backdrop, Maharashtra's tuition and living costs land far below Western alternatives for the same AICTE-approved, internationally recognised degree.
Course Fees: Maharashtra vs. UK/Australia
All figures from fn.mahacet.org country guides, in USD. College tuition is paid separately from the one-time CET Cell fee.
* Tuition ranges vary by college; exact fees appear on fn.mahacet.org after course selection.
What International Students Say About the Move
These accounts are drawn from student testimonials published on fn.mahacet.org, describing their own experience of choosing and settling into a Maharashtra college as an international student.
My experience here has enhanced my technical knowledge, broadened my global perspective, and helped me develop the skills needed to support digital transformation and technological advancement in Oman.
I chose Mumbai University because it is the commercial capital of India, offering a dynamic environment shaped by both global and diverse local business activities, with the rich cross-cultural diversity of students from all 28 states of India.
I selected Mumbai University specifically because of its reputation as one of India's premier institutions, offering a dynamic environment for research and critical engagement with global issues.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. The visa-free arrangement covers tourism and medical visits of up to 90 days only. Studying requires a separate Student Visa, applied for at the High Commission of India in Malé after you have an admission letter.
No. As a Foreign National Student (FNS), you apply directly through fn.mahacet.org. Admission is based on your O-Level/A-Level results plus an AIU equivalency certificate, with no entrance exam required.
Because the Maldivian school system doesn't follow India's CBSE or ICSE boards, fn.mahacet.org requires an Association of Indian Universities certificate confirming your qualification is equivalent to the Indian 10+2 standard. It takes about 4-6 weeks, so start it as soon as you register.
Yes. The Maldives is one of the SAARC countries with dedicated ICCR scholarship slots and bilateral schemes, alongside the Study in India programme's fee waivers. These run as a separate track from your fn.mahacet.org admission — register for both in parallel.
Start at fn.mahacet.org. The free category check confirms your eligibility and the exact documents you need before any payment. For support: student@mahacet.org · +91-9076000348 / +91-8879082178 (Monday to Friday, 10am to 6pm IST).
Your Application Can Start Today
No entrance exam. English-medium classrooms. A flight of under two hours from Malé. Your free eligibility check shows exactly where you stand — no payment required until you're ready to register.
Check Your Eligibility at fn.mahacet.orgQuestions? student@mahacet.org · +91-9076000348 / +91-8879082178 · Mon–Fri, 10am–6pm IST
