The proposed Real Estate Bill will prevent individuals banned from entering the Maldives from purchasing property in the Integrated Real Estate Zone in Rasmale'.
The provision comes as amendments to the Immigration Act was submitted to the Parliament that would expand the categories of people prohibited from entering the Maldives, including Israeli passport holders and individuals indicted by the International Criminal Court (ICC) who are subject to arrest warrants.
The proposed immigration amendments would also cover individuals holding dual citizenship who possess Israeli citizenship or an Israeli passport, even if they travel using another country's passport.
The ICC has issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and several senior Israeli officials.
Maldives initially imposed a ban on Israeli passport holders entering the country on October 7, 2023, until a declaration of an end of the genocide in Gaza. However, the new Immigration Bill proposes an unconditional entry ban on holders of Israeli passports.
Those banned from entering Maldives
Under the proposed amendments to the Immigration Act, the following categories of people would be prohibited from entering the Maldives:
- Individuals considered a threat to the sovereignty or national security of Maldives.
- Members of terrorist organizations, individuals suspected of having links to such organizations and those believed to be terrorists.
- Individuals who have committed or are accused of committing offences constituting crimes under international law.
- Individuals indicted by the ICC, subject to an arrest warrant or listed by the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol).
- Individuals wanted by the justice or investigative authorities of another country.
- Individuals suspected of carrying diseases that pose a threat to public health, or arriving from countries or regions designated by the Ministry of Health or the World Health Organization as experiencing an outbreak of a dangerous disease.
- Nationals of countries with which the Maldives has not established diplomatic relations, or with which diplomatic relations have been severed or temporarily suspended, where entry restrictions apply.
- Individuals deported from Maldives who are prohibited from returning.
- Individuals reasonably suspected of engaging in, or being likely to engage in, activities that could undermine the Maldives' social or religious cohesion.
- Israeli passport holders.
- Individuals prohibited from entering the Maldives under other laws.
The Real Estate Bill stipulates that leasehold rights to properties within an Integrated Real Estate Zone cannot be sold to citizens of countries whose nationals are prohibited from entering or residing in Maldives under the Immigration Act or other relevant legislation.
The bill also specifically prohibits the sale of leasehold rights to Israeli citizens and legal entities directly or indirectly owned by Israeli citizens, or transactions made for their benefit.
The bill states that any transaction carried out in violation of these restrictions will be considered void.
The proposed provisions would therefore restrict property ownership in the integrated development zone for individuals and entities covered by the entry restrictions.
The Real Estate Bill also introduces measures addressing several other issues relating to the regulation of the property market and the protection of national interests.
