Maldives Immigration begins a programme to detain and deport expatriates who do not have valid work visas and are found outside without a permit during curfew hours.
Immigration states the programme is part of the expatriate regularization porogramme, conducted jointly with the Ministry of Economic Development with assistance from Maldives Police Service (MPS) and Maldives Ports Limited (MPL). Immigration said expatriates who do not have work visas and breach the curfew imposed to curb the spread of COVID-19 will be detained at the expatriate detention centre in Hulhumale’ Phase II. Immigration said the process of deporting such individuals will begin as per the standard procedure once the expatriates are brought to the detention facility.
The government has repatriated thousands of undocumented expatriate workers since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic last year. It is estimated that there are over 60,000 expatriates in the Maldives without proper visa and documentation.