Arrival of foreign workers on tourist visa on the rise

Department of Immigration and Emigration has noted an increase in incidents of foreign workers arriving on tourist visa, and failure by their Maldivian sponsors to arrange their departure before the expiry of the tourist visa.

The department said that local sponsors often do not take responsibility for the foreign workers.

“It is the responsibility of sponsors to provide necessary funds to repatriate illegal foreign workers. It is also their responsibility to pay the visa fee up to the date of departure, and fines to the government,” Immigration Department said in a statement.

The department also noted that the visa duration can only be extended if sponsors obtain permission by submitting the “Sponsorship Declaration Form” prior to the foreign workers’ arrival.