Home Ministry offers extension for employers to settle expat worker fees and penalties

The Home Ministry has announced an additional opportunity for employers who have been consistent in paying fees for their expatriate workers to settle any outstanding dues and penalties owed to the government.

In a statement released today, the Ministry said the settlement period has been extended for those who have been making regular payments under existing agreements. The decision comes in response to multiple complaints about difficulties in making timely payments.

"Therefore, starting from October 10, 2025, employers who have been regularly fulfilling their obligations will be granted an extended timeframe to settle outstanding amounts through the Xpat system," the statement read.

Details regarding the extension will be available to employers and users via the Xpat system notice board.

Last month, the Home Ministry revealed that the government had collected MVR 2.1 billion in fees and penalties related to foreign workers between November 17, 2023, and September 10, 2025. This includes MVR 1.2 billion in work permit fees, MVR 826 million in quota fees, MVR 6 million in fines, and MVR 2 million in miscellaneous charges.

Despite the collections, the Ministry noted that MVR 974 million remains outstanding.