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Foreign nationals entering the Maldives on business or special visas will no longer be allowed to change to a work visa after entering the country, the Home Ministry has announced.
Mariyam Adheela
Male’: Maldives has stopped foreigners who enter the country on business or special visas from changing their visa status to a work visa after arrival, as authorities move to prevent misuse of the visa system.
The Home Ministry said the decision follows cases where businesses allegedly brought foreign nationals into the country on business visas and later changed their status to obtain work permits.
The ministry said business visas are issued to foreign professionals entering the Maldives for short term business activities. However, some businesses have been using the visa category to bring workers into the country and speed up the work permit process.
Under the new system, foreigners who enter the Maldives on business or special visas will not be able to apply for a work visa through the Expat System after arriving in the country.
The ministry urged employers and other relevant parties to take note of the change when making arrangements for foreign workers.
The government is also continuing efforts to deal with foreigners staying in the Maldives in violation of immigration rules.
The Home Ministry said foreigners who have provided their biometric information but failed to regularise their status within the given period are being deported.
The ministry previously said more than 12,000 foreigners found to be living in the Maldives illegally have been deported under the current administration.
