Noonu Velidhoo Council Clarifies It Cannot Issue Residence Letters for Malé Migrants

Noonu Velidhoo Council Secretariat announced yesterday that it cannot issue letters certifying residents registered to the island have been living elsewhere, as the council has not kept official records of residents living outside Velidhoo. However, the council said it would provide such letters if an individual submits supporting documentation proving their residence on another island.

The announcement, published in the Maldives Gazette, responds to requests from residents seeking letters to submit to the Ministry of Construction, Housing, and Infrastructure under the Housing for All social housing scheme. The council noted that one type of acceptable documentation is a letter from a state institution confirming residence in Malé, provided the institution’s records verify the period of stay.

“…the Ministry of Construction, Housing and Infrastructure has clarified that a document issued by an island or city council indicating the duration of residence in Malé is not acceptable if it is not based on the council’s records,” the notice stated.

Velidhoo Council explained that because it has not kept records of native residents who migrated to Malé, it can only issue such letters if applicants provide additional documentation verifying the period they lived outside the island. Whether such documents will be accepted by the ministry remains unclear.

Earlier this week, Madaveli Council issued a similar notice stating it would not issue letters confirming the residence of native residents in Malé. Mihaaru news also reported that the Local Government Authority (LGA) had instructed island councils not to issue such documents if they do not maintain official records of off-island residence.