Maldives Immigration has detained 15 male expatriates for operating illegal businesses in Male’, following a special enforcement operation conducted by relevant authorities.
The operation was carried out by the National Taskforce on Combatting Illegal Expatriate Operations and Businesses, which was established in November 2025 to address undocumented migrants and curb unauthorised commercial activities across the Maldives.
As part of a joint operation involving the Maldives Police Service, Maldives Immigration, and the Ministry of Economic Development and Trade, two residences occupied by expatriate workers were inspected.
One of the locations was found to be operating a food business without the required permits, while the other was identified as an illegally run foreign-owned enterprise. Both premises were in violation of applicable laws and regulations. Operations at the two locations were halted by the taskforce and subsequently shut down by the Ministry of Economic Development and Trade.
Authorities have noted that the issue of undocumented foreign nationals in the country has worsened in recent times. The government is continuing efforts to crack down on illegal migrants, including cases in which Maldivians are used as proxy owners for businesses operated by expatriates.
Under a separate special operation, data has been collected from more than 202,000 expatriates. Employers who have hired foreign workers without a valid quota have been granted until 2 April to regularise their status. The government has warned that from 2027, expatriates found to be in breach of immigration laws will be deported without any further opportunity to obtain valid visas.