Maldives Recovers Billions in Expatriate Fees: Minister Ihsan

Minister of Homeland Security and Technology, Ali Ihsan, announced that the Maldivian state has recovered billions of MVR in fees related to expatriates, including visa fees, work permit fees, quota fees, and associated penalties. The substantial collection was revealed during a press conference held at the President’s Office, where Ihsan outlined the ministry's efforts to recover these overdue payments.

According to Ihsan, a total of MVR 703.8 million has been recovered since June 3, 2024, following a concerted effort by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) to address the MVR 1.7 billion in outstanding dues. The minister emphasized that strict measures were taken against defaulters, including blocking services related to migrants and the suspension of passport issuance. Defaulters will only regain access to these services after settling their debts, Ihsan confirmed.

The minister further stressed the importance of maintaining compliance with the country’s expatriate-related regulations, highlighting that the ministry would continue enforcing measures to ensure that all outstanding dues are paid in full.