Penalty for Loss of Passport Reduced to MVR 2,000

The Maldives Immigration has announced that individuals who lose their passports will not face penalties exceeding MVR 2,000, provided they can submit a police report demonstrating that the loss was not due to negligence. 

Additionally, no penalty will be imposed if the lost passport was expired.

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Previously, the penalties for passport loss varied, with fines ranging from MVR 5,000 for the first instance to MVR 10,000 for the second offense and MVR 20,000 for the third occurrence. 

However, these fines have now been revised.

Under the amended rules, the Controller General of Immigration will have the authority to issue temporary travel documents to those who are unable to pay the fine, contingent on the specific circumstances and severity of the case. 

In cases where the lost passport has expired, individuals will be able to apply for a new passport without the need for a police report, and it will be renewed without incurring any penalties.

The rules also address instances where a fine of MVR 2,000 will be levied, such as for providing false information, altering, or copying valid documents in the passport application. 

There is an option not to provide the service and impose a fine of MVR 2,000 if an applicant engages in actions detrimental to the public interest during the passport issuance process.

Furthermore, the responsibility for maintaining passports for individuals under the age of 18, as well as individuals with long-term physical disabilities, mental disabilities, sensory impairments, or mental impairments, now falls on their parents or legal guardians.

In addition to the changes related to passport penalties, the new rules encompass various other adjustments, including provisions for the issuance of multiple passports under specific circumstances.