Two expats detained for engaging in business while on tourist visa

Maldives Immigration has detained two expatriates for violating tourist visa regulations.

The authority, via a post on X, said they have detained two expatriates who were unlawfully engaging in business activities while on tourist visas and were found to be illegally residing in public spaces.

They have been identified as a 24-year-old Jordanian man and a 19-year-old Syrian woman.

Immigration said they are undertaking efforts to deport the two of them.

In response to concerns raised by the public, our team has detained two foreign nationals who were found violating tourist visa regulations. The individuals were reportedly engaging in unauthorized business activities while on tourist visa and were found to be illegally residing… pic.twitter.com/bbRwNXm7ND

— Maldives Immigration (@ImmigrationMV) January 6, 2025

Citing the case was brought to attention by the public, Immigration urged the public to continue reporting such violations through Immigration Watch.

The current administration undertaking significant efforts to resolve the longstanding issue of illegal migration in the Maldives. In this regard, authorities are collaboratively conducting operations to identify expatriates illegally residing in the Maldives or are involved in criminal activities.

Immigration has deported over 5,000 immigrant offenders since the current administration assumed office.