Maldives Govt Sets Final Deadline for Foreign Worker Legalisation

In a significant move aimed at maximising compliance, the Ministry of Homeland Security and Technology has officially announced a final extension of the deadline for its mass legalisation drive, ‘Operation Kurangi’, pushing the cutoff to 2 May. 

This extension serves as an absolute last chance for foreign nationals without work permits, those with expired documentation, and undocumented immigrants to regularise their status without facing immediate deportation.

The Ministry, in a statement, clarified that the decision to extend the deadline until 2 May was made in direct response to numerous requests from employers seeking additional time to process their employees' documentation. The announcement was unequivocal, however, in stating that no further extension will be granted after that period, emphasising that this is the final opportunity for individuals and companies to come into compliance.

Launched to create a comprehensive and verified database of the foreign workforce, Operation Kurangi involves the meticulous updating of records through the collection of biometric data including fingerprints and photographs. According to the latest data released by the Ministry, this biometric updating process has already been completed for 181,093 foreigners, marking significant progress in the government's efforts to formalise the migrant population.

As an added incentive to the legalisation process, the Ministry has also decided to provide job-matching services for foreigners who have updated their biometrics but currently lack employment. This opportunity is specifically available to those who complete the biometric registration within the newly extended deadline, aiming to connect legal, registered workers with employers in need of foreign labour.

The consequences for non-compliance remain severe. The Ministry has repeatedly warned that foreigners who fail to update their biometrics without a valid reason will be subject to deportation. Additionally, employers who have not registered their foreign workers in the Expat online system will face stringent penalties, including a fine of MVR 50,000 under the Employment Act, coupled with the immediate deportation of the unregistered worker.