More than 60,000 work permits cancelled in a year

The Home Ministry has said that more than 60,000 work permits have been cancelled within the last year.

As per the information shared by the ministry to Mihaaru News, from the time the current administration took office until last Wednesday, 123,361 expatriates have had their work permits cancelled.

The most amount of permits that were voided was between 17th November 2023 to 18th November 2024. In that time, 68,848 work permits were issued to expatriates with 62,709 work permits being voided.

From 17th November 2024 to last Wednesday, 60,652 expatriate work permits were cancelled, with 77,015 work permits being approved.

The ministry stated that 210, 887 expatriate work permits were released during former President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih's administration, with 161,684 permits being voided.

As per the aforementioned information, 356,750 work permits were issued with 285,045 work permits being cancelled within seven years.

This administration launched an operation under the name of "Kurangi" to locate expatriates who have been living in the country illegally. It has been announced that action will be taken against those who do not update their biometrics when the opportunity is presented.

As per the Home Ministry, the biometrics of 181,093 expatriates have been updated until 21st September. It was also stated that expatriates who have not updated their biometrics have not been deported as of yet.