The Maldives Immigration has revealed that the highest number of cases reported to Immigration Watch were related to illegal businesses and work visa violations by migrant workers, based on data released as of November 2024.

Of the 1,017 cases reported, 239 were attributed to illegal businesses and another 239 to work visa violations.

Other cases included 65 instances of prostitution, 41 cases of missing persons, and 14 reports of tourist visa violations. Additionally, there were 12 cases of employer or sponsor breaches, 12 instances of visa abuse or violations, 11 cases related to criminal or character concerns, and 10 incidents of substance trafficking. Seven cases of human trafficking and 7 cases of illegal foreign currency exchange were also reported.

Immigration Watch, an online platform launched on July 17, 2024, allows the public to anonymously report illegal immigrants or those attempting to enter the Maldives unlawfully, as well as other migration-related issues. Authorities believe the platform strengthens collaboration between immigration officials and the public in addressing these concerns.

Efforts to tackle undocumented migration have intensified in the past year. The Government has conducted numerous operations targeting undocumented foreigners, and initiatives such as Operation Kurangi have been introduced to collect biometric data from all foreigners in the country.

The Controller General of Immigration, Mohammed Shamaan Waheed, has stated that measures to identify undocumented migrants are being expanded to include operations in the atolls. He noted that ongoing efforts aim to bring illegal foreign workers into compliance with the law, describing these initiatives as critical steps in resolving the issue.