Thinadhoo reimposes MVR 5000 fee for giving up residency

GDh. Thinadhoo Council has decided to reimpose an administrative fee of MVR 5000 on those who choose to give up residency on the island. 

In an announcement issued yesterday, the council said that the when they had previously introduced the fee with the aim of maintaining population levels required of a city, the Local Government Authority had advised them not to charge the fee before procedural requirements are met. 

Hence, in line with LGA's letter dated July 9, the council stopped charging the fee. In a community meeting on August 10, the idea of charging the MVR 5000 fee was floated again, the Council said. 

The announcement stated that residents were asked to complete a Google form offering options of charging between MVR 0 and MVR 5000 in a fee for giving up residency. The final decision to impose a fee of MVR 5000 was based on the majority preference.

A decision was reached at Sunday's council meeting to revoke the previous announcement, and charge the MVR 5000 exit fee anew.

Thinadhoo initially started charging the exit fee in January, 2024. However, it was later halted on LGA instruction.

Thinadhoo was declared a city in August 30, 2023 by then President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih in the run-up to the presidential election, despite the island not meeting the city requirement of having a minimum population of 10,000 residents. 

In order to grant Thinadhoo, with a current population of 7000, the status of a city, some amendments need to be brought to the law. The parliament is currently undertaking this work, with the assurance of the current government that they will cooperate with the efforts.