Deadline extended to provide expatriates' biometrics

The deadline for expatriates in Maldives to update their biometric data has been extended until 30 June, Ministry of Homeland Security said.

In a statement issued today, the ministry said biometric data for some expatriates registered in the Xpat system remains incomplete. Individuals who fail to update their information by the new deadline may face penalties starting from 13 July.

The initial deadline was 20 April, but it was extended in response to continued requests from expatriates and employers.

- Expatriates in Maldives on active work permits who fail to update their biometrics will have Xpat system services to their employers suspended.

- Those on active permits who have been in Maldives for more than four months without updating biometrics will have their work permits cancelled based on system records.

- Expatriates on inactive work permits who have a valid employer will be allowed to update their biometrics and be regularized.

- Those working illegally on inactive permits without updated biometrics will be deported and have their permits revoked.

- If an expatriate has left the country on an inactive work permit without updating biometrics, their permit will be cancelled after verification.

- Expatriates with updated biometrics but who have been abroad for over a year on an active permit will also have their permit cancelled.

- Those with updated biometrics and inactive permits, who now have a job offer, will be given the chance to regularize their status.

- If such expatriates have been abroad for more than four months, their system records will be revoked.

The biometric registration campaign, "Operation Kurangi", was launched in May 2024 to collect data from all expatriates living in Maldives. The operation has covered numerous inhabited islands and industrial sites. The government says more than 25,000 expatriates have been regularized through the initiative.