Immigration Warns of Deportation for Foreigners Working Outside Visa Conditions
Photo: Maldives Immigration
Maldives Immigration has announced that any foreign national found earning income outside the scope of their visa permit will face deportation.
The authority also warned that legal action will be taken against employers who hire such individuals in violation of immigration laws.
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ރާއްޖޭގައި ގަވާއިދާހިލާފަށް އުޅޭ ބިދޭސީން، 'އޯޕަން ވީޒާ'ގެ ނަމުގައި އެމީހުނަށް ދޫކޮށްފައިވާ ހުއްދައިގެ ބޭރުން މަސައްކަތް ކުރަމުންދާކަން ފާހަގަ ކުރެވިފައިވާތީ ދަންނަވަން.
އިތުރަށް ވިދާޅުވުމަށް: https://t.co/6CxWsPHrLE pic.twitter.com/SW6wByAWIn— Maldives Immigration (@ImmigrationMV) September 29, 2025
According to Immigration, foreigners holding “open visas” are prohibited from engaging in unauthorised income-generating activities. Those found working or operating businesses beyond the conditions of their visa will be deported, and their employers will be held accountable.
Immigration regulations stipulate that foreign workers are only permitted to work in the specific locations and roles stated in their visa. However, authorities have observed a growing number of immigrants earning income through unauthorised work or business activities. Immigration reiterated that such actions constitute a breach of Maldivian law.
Last week, authorities launched a nationwide operation to curb the rise of illegal foreign-run businesses. Immigration confirmed that such businesses will be shut down immediately and that all individuals involved will be deported.
President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu recently stated that the government is working to properly document foreign workers through the ongoing “Kurangi Operation,” which collects biometric data of foreigners residing in the country. Under the programme, records show that 178,982 foreigners have lived in the Maldives during the past two years.
