Maldivian authorities have changed visa rules to prevent foreigners who enter the country on a special or business visa from converting it to a work visa while staying in the Maldives.
The Ministry of Homeland Security and Technology said that a business visa is a permit to bring in professionals for a short period of time for emergency business needs.
It said that, however, instead of obtaining regular work permits, some companies are exchanging visas after importing people quickly.
The Ministry said that to prevent such abuses, holders of these visas will no longer be able to apply for work permits through the "expat system."
The current administration has taken several measures against undocumented migrant workers, as more than 12,000 illegal immigrants have been deported since 2023.
