Bank of Maldives (BML) has started selling US dollars at the conference hall of Salman Mosque and its Hulhumalé branch to make it easier for Umrah pilgrims to access foreign currency ahead of Ramadan.
The service will be available from Wednesday until February 27 from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM and from March 2 to March 13 from 9:30 AM to 11:30 AM. Each pilgrim can purchase up to USD 500, with one person allowed to buy for a maximum of five individuals. To complete the transaction, the ID cards or passports of the pilgrims must be presented. Payments can be made via a BML debit card or in cash. If a proxy is sent, their ID card must also be submitted.
BML stated that only those listed in the official records submitted by Umrah groups would be eligible to buy dollars. Other Umrah pilgrims can withdraw dollars from the departure hall of Velana International Airport by using the USD booking portal. Customers outside Malé can access dollars at their nearest BML branch.
Following a directive from President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu, BML has also increased the dollar limit on debit cards for Umrah pilgrims to USD 1,500. This applies to those traveling during Ramadan and the first six days of Shawwal. In addition to this special allocation, the existing monthly limit of USD 250 on debit cards will remain in effect.