Maldives Immigration has stated that the government is working towards a comprehensive solution to address the issue of illegal foreigners in the country.
Relevant agencies are conducting special operations, as the number of foreigners committing various crimes in the Maldives is on the rise. Authorities searched 153 locations and deported 2,069 foreigners between November 17, 2023, to July 15, 2024.
The latest data released by Immigration reveals that many foreigners are involved in prostitution, drug-related activities, gang fights, and black market foreign exchange transactions. Individuals arrested for such activities have been deported. Specifically, from November 2023 to July 15, 2024, authorities deported eight individuals involved in black market foreign exchange, 65 involved in prostitution, 141 involved in drug and gang-related crimes, 15 wanted in various cases, and nine with altered visas and documents.
Additionally, 1,289 foreigners attempting to enter and work in the country on tourist visas have been intercepted, predominantly from Bangladesh. A total of 341 foreigners from 22 countries were prevented from entering with forged work permits and visas.
Immigration has launched an online platform called Immigration Watch to report illegal immigrants and urges the public to report any such cases immediately. The government plans to expand the operation to all the islands by next year and aims to consolidate information on all foreigners in the Maldives into a single database, providing a comprehensive solution to the issue within three years.