Minister of Homeland Security and Technology Ali Ihsan has confirmed that the government has no intention of raising fees related to expatriates. The minister made this announcement during a meeting with stakeholders involved in bringing expatriate workers to the Maldives.
During the meeting, Minister Ihsan acknowledged that some entities and individuals are struggling to pay the expatriate fees owed to the government. He assured that the ministry is prepared to work with them to establish a payment structure that allows for fee payment over a 12-month period.
The minister emphasised the importance of employers complying with laws and regulations to address the issue of illegal immigrants in the country. He reiterated that the government will not increase expatriate fees as part of its efforts to resolve this issue.
Additionally, Minister Ihsan announced a new initiative by the Homeland Security Ministry, allowing employers to pay some expatriate fees in bulk for multiple months. This option, available through the expat system, offers more flexibility compared to the standard monthly payment schedule.
On July 24, the Ministry of Homeland Security and Technology released a list of expatriates whose fees remain unpaid. The list includes 1,026 entities, encompassing businesses and individuals across various sectors, with outstanding fees and fines exceeding USD 6,500. Notably, 123 companies owe more than a million dollars each, with some debts surpassing USD 1.7 million. The ministry initially set a deadline of August 12 for payment, which has now been extended to August 31.
As part of the government's efforts to address illegal immigration and prevent the unauthorized operation of businesses by foreigners, the parliament has passed an amendment to the Employment Act. This amendment grants relevant ministries the authority to review work permits for immigrants every 18 months. It stipulates that any new fees established following this review must not exceed 30% of existing fees and outlines a special procedure to be followed if fees are to be reduced.