Government gives expatriates three months to obtain valid work permits

Home Minister Ali Ihusaan has announced that more than 9,000 irregular expatriates have been deported so far, as part of the government’s ongoing efforts to address immigration issues in Maldives.  

Speaking at a press conference at the Home Ministry on Thursday, Ihusaan said biometric data of 202,000 expatriates has been collected under “Operation Kurangi.” He noted that irregular immigration remains a serious issue, with expatriates engaged in businesses and much of the country’s workforce.  

The minister said the second phase of the operation will begin on January 1. From then until April 2, expatriates will be given the opportunity to obtain valid work permits. “Expatriates and runaways who have been separated from their employers due to disputes are being given three months to obtain a valid work permit within the legal framework of Maldives,” Ihusaan said.  

The final phase of the operation will start on April 2 and run until May 1, 2027. During this period, authorities will conduct a major operation to arrest all irregular immigrants in the country. By the end of the operation, Ihusaan said, all expatriates living in Maldives will be held accountable.  

He added that 509 expatriates who refused to provide fingerprints have been deported since November 15. A total of 9,697 expatriates have been deported over the past two years.  

The government aims to resolve the issue of irregular immigrants within the first three years of its term, Ihusaan said, highlighting ongoing efforts to regularize expatriates and strengthen immigration controls.