The Minister of Homeland Security and Technology has announced new regulations concerning the employment of foreigners in the Maldives, aimed at tackling the issue of illegal immigration. The new rules, set to come into effect on 6th October 2024, will introduce procedures for reporting missing illegal immigrants and establish a range of associated fees and penalties.
The ministry has confirmed that user guides outlining the changes will be made available on the Expat system homepage, enabling both employers and employees to familiarise themselves with the new requirements.
Under the new regulations, a fee of USD 64.9 will be charged for each report made concerning a missing illegal immigrant. In cases where a work permit holder goes missing due to employer negligence, the fee rises to USD 129.70. Furthermore, if a request for a Work Permit Missing Withdrawal Service is cancelled, a fee of USD 648.5 will be charged.
The ministry also addressed situations involving foreign employers, announcing that if a foreign employer is reported missing, they will have the opportunity to withdraw their request through the Expat system between 6th and 30th October. Any withdrawals made after this period, or after seven days from the initial report, will incur a fee of USD 648.5.
These new measures form part of the government’s broader efforts to ensure that immigrants residing in the Maldives comply with local laws. Maldives Immigration and other relevant authorities have been conducting operations to address illegal immigration and strengthen the enforcement of immigration regulations.
The introduction of these new rules represents a significant step in the government’s strategy to manage foreign employment and ensure the lawful presence of expatriates in the country.
