The Ministry of Homeland Security and Technology has issued a two-week deadline for employers to complete outstanding expat fee payments under USD 6,485. The ministry announced that employers who finalize their payments and any associated fines before September 16 will be publicised, and those who fail to comply will be suspended from the expat system, with a temporary halt on issuing permits.
The ministry acknowledged receiving numerous complaints and concerns from employers regarding the short deadline for submitting all payments and fines. To address these concerns, the ministry has opened opportunities for employers to negotiate new agreements with the government, allowing for payment over an agreed period. Details about these agreements will be made available through the expat system.
Minister of Homeland Security and Technology, Ali Ihusaan, has engaged in extensive discussions with users of the expat system and employers who recruit immigrant workers. The meetings focused on identifying and addressing the issues faced by immigrants. Despite over 50,000 companies in the Maldives recruiting foreign labor, the ministry revealed that 90% of these companies do not make regular fee payments.