The Controller General of Immigration, Commissioner of Police (Retd.) Ahmed Faseeh, has said that operations to address the issue of illegal migrants in the Maldives are showing tangible results.
Faseeh made the remarks during the official launch of the digitisation of all immigration services under the Maldives 2.0 initiative.
A permanent solution to the problem of illegal migrants is a pledge of President Dr Mohamed Muizzu. Maldives Immigration is conducting a range of operations to identify undocumented foreigners, including inspections of workplaces, enforcement against illegal businesses operated by foreigners, and the deportation of those without valid visas.
Speaking at the ceremony, Faseeh said the efforts under the direct supervision of the President are yielding positive outcomes. He noted that when the operations first began, many foreigners were working in unauthorised sites without valid visas or paying work permit fees to the state. However, in recent major operations, 85 percent of foreign workers were found to have obtained the required permits and are paying their fees to the state, he stated.
Maldives Immigration aims to achieve a permanent solution to the issue of illegal foreigners within the next three years.
Faseeh also highlighted that the number of flights and vessels arriving and departing from the Maldives is increasing day by day, resulting in a higher volume of passengers requiring immigration clearance at airports and seaports. He stressed that the objective is to provide efficient and reliable services that are appreciated by travellers.
"Our aim is to provide services that are accepted by the people arriving and departing, with a smile. Service providers will gain the trust of the public by delivering quality and prompt services,” Faseeh said.
Faseeh further said that every immigration employee strives to provide transparent, prompt and responsible service to Maldivian citizens, tourists, and foreign residents alike.