The government has announced a four-month window to legalize undocumented expatriates, giving workers and employers a chance to regularize their status.
The Ministry of Homeland Security and Technology (DHS) said the Mass Legalization Programme will run from 1 January to 2 April 2026 under Operation Kurangi.
The programme targets expatriates with expired permits or no valid documents who are currently in the Maldives. Eligible applicants must have entered the country on a work permit and must not be blacklisted.
DHS said the employer applying must be different from the employer who last issued the work permit. Foreigners who were previously legalized or reported as fled or missing in the expat system before 31 December are not eligible.
Employers must submit applications through the expat system. DHS said it will publish an updated User Guide on the system’s homepage.
