Gov’t to Deport Migrant Workers Who Fail to Update their Biometric Data

The Ministry of Homeland Security and Technology announced today they will start deporting migrant workers who fail to provide biometric information to the ministry by April.

In a notice gazetted today, the ministry set the deadline to submit biometric data – which includes a photograph and fingerprints of the migrant worker – to April 20, 2025. Failure to comply will result in deportation.

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Additional information can be accessed by contacting 7690228 or operation.kurangi@mohst.gov.mv, the ministry said. 

Operation Kurangi is a government-led initiative to update the biometric records of all migrant workers in the Maldives, whose biometric data currently registered with the ministry is older than November 17, 2023. The ministry said this is an important step to ensure accurate documentation and safeguard the rights of immigrants in the nation. 

How to Provide Biometric Data

Migrant workers in the Greater Malé area are required to submit their information to the Joint Operation Centre at the NCIT Building in Malé, between 8:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. For workers outside the Greater Malé area, information can be submitted to the local councils.

The Ministry of Homeland Security and Technology stated that workers must be physically present to update their data. They will need to provide either their passport number or work permit number, along with their current address (house name and island). However, the Ministry clarified that workers without this information can still proceed with updating their details.

The ministry also announced today that they will start suspending services to businesses that fail to pay outstanding fees regarding their migrant workers as well.