More than 12,500 undocumented expatriates have been repatriated from the Maldives since November 2023, as authorities continue nationwide operations to identify and deport illegal migrants.
More than 12,000 expatriates living illegally in the Maldives have been repatriated to their home countries.
According to statistics released by Maldives Immigration, a total of 12,552 individuals were sent back between November 17, 2023, and June 13, 2024. This figure includes those who were formally deported as well as those repatriated through other administrative procedures. A significant number of these individuals were found to be operating businesses illegally or lacked valid documentation.
The Maldives Police Service and Maldives Immigration are collaborating closely to address the issue of undocumented migrants. As part of "Operation Kurangi," an initiative launched to collect biometric data and information on foreign workers, records of over 202,000 expatriates have been gathered so far.
The government has also announced that starting next year, any expatriate found to be living illegally will be deported immediately without further notice.
This initiative, aimed at finding a permanent solution to the challenges posed by undocumented migration, is set to continue for the next six months. The third phase of Operation Kurangi will focus on locating and deporting 2,895 targeted individuals, identifying those conducting illegal business activities, and removing persons residing without valid work permits or visas.
To encourage compliance, the current phase also includes measures to streamline work permit fee payments. This involves notifying employers to settle fees before expiry and providing flexible arrangements for those with outstanding payments.
These efforts are intended to assist Maldivian business owners in ensuring that their foreign workforce remains compliant with national regulations.
How did this land?
Share this story
Discussion
Comments are turned off for now.
