Amended Expatriate Employment Regulations published

Major amendments have been brought to the Regulations on Employing Foreigners in Maldives. 

Changes brought to the regulation last Sunday include extending the work permit duration for unskilled labourers from five to ten years. 

Employer changes can be brought after one month passes without paying work permit fee, and a no objection letter from the employer. 

As per the changes, if an employer reports an expatriate missing, during the period when it is announced by the ministry, the expatriates will be given the option of changing employers under special circumstances. This will be done if it is proven that the employer has been negligent towards the expatriate. 

Circumstances where work permits will be voided have also been added to the regulation. New circumstances added to the regulation include if the employer attests on the XPat System that the expatriate has left the country, if a relevant authority declares the expatriate deceased, or if an expatriate receives Maldivian citizenship. 

Work permits can also be voided if an expatriate asked to leave the country due to health complications does not do so in the given timeframe, if an expatriate remains out of Maldives for over four months while the work permit is valid, and if an expatriate does not meet requirements for a work permit due to technical issues.