Homeland Security Minister Ali Ihusaan states that approximately 2,800 foreign nationals are still missing in atoll regions because they have not provided their biometric information and will be sent back within the upcoming six months.

The minister expressed the comments on Saturday evening while the third phase of Operation Kurangi, the national initiative to identify and gather information on irregular immigrants, took place in Male'.

The operation is collaboratively conducted by the Ministry of Homeland Security, Immigration, Police, Ministry of Economic Affairs, Maldives Red Crescent, and the Maldives Food and Drug Authority (MFDA).

Ihusaan informed reporters that just 27 percent of the almost 296,000 active work-permit holders had their fingerprints recorded when the current administration assumed office, attributing this to the previous governments’ inadequate handling of the matter. He stated that the figure has now climbed to 98 percent.

“The subsequent step is to locate and expel the 2,800 individuals who are avoiding the system by not providing fingerprints,” Ihusaan stated.

He mentioned that visa and work-permit fees are currently being handled as per regulations, and that plans will be implemented to return foreigners after payments are completed.

Ihusaan stated he has requested the government to completely address the matter of illegal immigrants prior to November.

The most recent operation encompassed 24 areas throughout Male', with three teams assigned to the larger zones and two to the smaller ones.

In a Saturday post on X, President Dr Mohamed Muizzu announced that biometric information, comprising ten fingerprints and clear facial images, has been collected for 98 percent of migrant workers. He stated that the remaining undocumented immigrants will be located and expelled within six months as part of initiatives to achieve a lasting resolution to the issue.