Maldives Immigration arrested 18 foreigners in Male' city after raiding a large-scale food preparation site that violated hygiene standards, along with four accommodation blocks.
In a social media post, Immigration said the operation targeted a location where food was being prepared and delivered without regard for basic hygiene, as well as four housing blocks occupied by foreigners.  
All 18 individuals were found to be living in the Maldives illegally, Immigration confirmed. Similar operations are ongoing across Male' city.  
The crackdown follows a 27 November gazette notice from the Economic Ministry, which stated that government agencies continue to receive complaints about illegal trade conducted by foreigners. The ministry urged the public to report such businesses.  
A National Task Force has been formed to inspect businesses suspected of being run by foreigners in violation of the Foreign Investment Act, which prohibits expatriates from operating in certain sectors.  
ޓާސްކްފޯސްއިން މިރޭ ހިންގި ރެއިޑު އޮޕަރޭޝަންގައި ވަނީ މާލޭގެ ދިލްކުޝާގޯޅީގައި، އާންމު ސާފުތާހިރުކަމަށް ބެލުމެއް ނެތި ފުޅާ ދާއިރާއެއްގައި ކާބޯތަކެތި ތައްޔާރުކޮށް، ޑެލިވަރ ކުރަމުންދިއަ ތަނަކާއި ބިދޭސީން ދިރިއުޅެމުންދާ 4 އެކޮމޮޑޭޝަން ބްލޮކް ބަލައި ފާސްކޮށްފައި. އަދި މިތަނުގައި… pic.twitter.com/p3lwINVsAP
— Maldives Immigration (@ImmigrationMV) December 7, 2025
The ministry said the inspections aim to identify businesses using Maldivian fronts to conceal foreign ownership and to take action against violators.  
Investigative agencies are also working to uncover businesses operated by foreigners under the guise of Maldivians, the ministry added.  
Police Commissioner Ismail Naveen said authorities will not tolerate irregular immigrants and will take strict action against those who enter or work illegally.  
The government has pledged to resolve the issue of irregular immigration within the first three years of its term.