Maldives Immigration has denied reports it has denied work permits to Indian citizens. Refuting rumors Maldives Immigration assured there is no discrimination when carrying out its lawfully bestowed duties, stating no country or person was denied visa to Maldives.
Highlighting that visa will be issued in accordance with laws and regulations, Maldives Immigration reiterated that no Indian citizens were denied visa. Moreover, Maldives Immigration said visa will be denied if necessary rules are not followed and when a situation arises for the authority to deny visa, it will be done without hesitation or without favoring individual countries. No official complaints were forwarded to the authority, also stated Maldives Immigration.
Furthermore, Immigration revealed 2,621 visa were issued to Indian citizens within the first 6 months of the year. It had refused visas to citizens from China, Bangladesh, Germany and Italy this year, the authority also stated, adding approximately 1,100 people are denied entrance to Maldives every year for various reasons.
Maldives Immigration made the statement at a time when Chief Minister of Kerala State Pinarayi Vijayan had requested the Indian government to solve issues regarding visa for Indians working in Maldives. In a letter sent to Minister of External Affairs of India Sushma Swaraj, Pinarayi Vijayan said over 30 thousand Indians work in Maldives, noting a large section of them are from Kerala. Visa arrangements from Maldives can be completed within a week previously, adding it takes more time nowadays, said the letter.
However, the Maldives Immigration denied the allegations and insisted it follows the relevant laws and regulations.