Ministry publishes list to clarify info of expats to be repatriated

Economic Ministry has publicized a list to clarify employment information related to undocumented expatriates that requested to be repatriated back home.

The voluntary repatriation program by the governments of Maldives and Bangladesh is focused on Bangladeshi nationals working in the Maldives without proper employment approvals, documents who wish to return home. 

The Economic Ministry said that applications by expatriates with proper documents were also being received for the program. The Ministry said that even though these expatriates had proper documentation, they were not working for the parties who obtained the approvals in the first place.

A list of expatriates were issued by the Ministry which read that the list included individuals with proper documents who were not working for the parties that obtained the approval in the first place and had requested to be repatriated under the Ministry’s program targeted for undocumented expatriates.

The Ministry requested that if anyone on that list were working for the employers who obtained the approval, to email the ministry [email protected] stating so before 14:00, August 5, 2020.

Complete information pertaining to the expatriate such as full name, passport number as well as the information related to the employer must also be sent to the Ministry. 

If an employer fails to do so, the expatriate that requested to be repatriated will be allowed to take part in the voluntary repatriation program.  Arrangements to travel back have been made starting from July 24 to December 31. Only those with a valid passport and is not barred from leaving the country under any circumstances will be allowed to leave under the arrangements. 

Forms to take part in the repatriation program is now available on the Maldives Immigration website. 

Those wishing to travel from the Maldives by creating their travel documents in case of an invalid or expired passport will be able to obtain the service from the Immigration Monitoring Section on official working hours between 8:30-11:30.