Maldives Immigration has cautioned that any foreign national discovered generating income beyond the limits of their visa authorization will face deportation. Legal measures will also be pursued against those who hire such individuals unlawfully.

The authorities state that foreign nationals in the Maldives on an "open visa" who participate in unauthorized income-generating activities will face deportation. Additionally, employers that use their services beyond the visa's authorized limits will encounter legal repercussions.

Immigration rules explicitly indicate that foreign nationals can only be employed in the particular locations and positions designated by their visas.

Regardless, an increasing number of immigrants are said to be generating significant earnings by engaging in side jobs or entrepreneurial ventures that exceed their visa conditions. Immigration highlighted that these actions breach Maldivian law.

A significant operation was initiated last week to tackle the increase of unlawful foreign-operated enterprises in the nation. Officials verified that all such enterprises will be closed without delay, and those engaged will be expelled.

President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu stated last week that the government is diligently documenting foreign workers in the Maldives via the "Kurangi Operation," which gathers biometric information from them. The program states that 178,982 foreigners have lived in the Maldives in the last two years.

The President noted that, historically, deportations were mainly symbolic. Nonetheless, during his time in office, 8,609 undocumented immigrants have been removed to date.