Operation Kurangi Phase Three to Begin in May, Unpaid Visa Holders Face Arrest and Deportation
Maldives Immigration officer talking to migrants in the Maldives under its immigrant monitoring policy | Photo: Maldives Immigration
Minister of Homeland Security, Labour and Technology said that the third phase of “Operation Kurangi,” aimed at stopping expatriates from working illegally in the Maldives, will begin on May 2, and that expatriates found residing without paying visa fees after that date will be immediately arrested and deported.
Speaking at a press conference held at the President’s Office today, Minister Ali Ihusaan said 62 percent of expatriates currently working in the Maldives have valid documentation. He said efforts to identify and regularise the remaining individuals will be carried out over a one-year period starting from May 2.
“Along with that, starting May 2, 2026, any expatriate encountered by our law enforcement while residing without paying the fee to any extent will be an individual who is immediately deported from the Maldives,” he said.
The minister added that once enforcement begins and individuals are detained, their release would not be straightforward, regardless of external intervention. However, he said administrative issues that may have prevented visa payments would be considered.
Ihusaan said that when Operation Kurangi was launched in 2024, only 28 percent of expatriates in the Maldives were residing legally. He said this has since increased to 62 percent due to enforcement efforts by the ministry and relevant agencies.
Out of approximately 206,000 expatriates in the Maldives, he said 2,933 individuals have yet to provide biometric data, including fingerprints.
He said all expatriates without valid documentation will be addressed under a unified policy moving forward. Employers will be able to verify the status of their workers through the immigration system, which will also clearly indicate visa payment deadlines.
The minister urged employers to ensure that visa fees are paid on time.
He also said employers who violate regulations related to expatriate accommodation will face fines of MVR 50,000 per worker.
