Police instructed to question expats on streets between 00:00 and 06:00

President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has instructed police to stop and question expatriates found on the streets at night, citing concerns over public disruption and violations of social norms.  

In a post on President X, the President said athat some foreigners residing in the Maldives are engaging in activities that disturb public order during nighttime hours. He noted that these individuals are living in ways that go against common social standards.  

As a result, authorities have been directed to stop and question migrants in public areas between 00:00 and 06:00 hrs, and to take legal action where necessary.  

The move comes amid a broader government crackdown on irregular immigration. Officials say the number of undocumented foreigners in the Maldives has increased, with many involved in criminal activity or living outside accepted social norms.  

ދިވެހިރާއްޖޭގައި އުޅެމުންދާ ބިދޭސީންގެ ތެރެއިން ބައެއް ފަރާތްތަކުން ރޭގަނޑުގެ ދަންވަރު ވަގުތުތަކުގައި ރަށުތެރޭގެ އާއްމު މަސްލަހަތު ގެއްލޭ ފަދަ ކަންކަން ކުރަމުންދާތީއާއި އާއްމު އިޖްތިމާއީ މިންގަނޑުތަކާއި ޚިލާފަށް އުޅެމުންދާތީ, ދަންވަރު 12:00 އިން ފެށިގެން ހެނދުނު 06:00 އާއި…

— Dr Mohamed Muizzu (@MMuizzu) December 17, 2025

Immigration authorities are conducting special operations to identify irregular immigrants, including biometric registration. The government has also begun deporting undocumented foreigners within 48 hours of detention.  

A multi-agency task force is actively searching for illegal businesses operated by foreigners and shutting them down.  

The administration has pledged to resolve the issue of irregular immigration within three years.  

According to the 2022 census, the Maldives has a population of 500,000, including 382,639 locals and 132,493 expatriates, meaning foreigners account for 26 percent of the total population.