The Ministry of Homeland Security and Technology has announced that companies failing to update the biometrics of their migrant workers by the end of this month will be suspended from the Xpat system.

In a statement issued on April 14, the Ministry revealed that it had identified a number of employers registered whose migrant workers' biometrics had not been updated or completed. Employers have been instructed to ensure that the biometric data for these workers is fully updated by April 30, 2025.

In addition, the Ministry requires employers to provide the work permit status of migrant workers whose biometrics remain incomplete by the deadline. Companies that fail to update the biometric information without valid justification will face suspension from the Xpat system, with all associated services being halted.

This measure is part of the ongoing efforts to address issues within the migrant worker system and ensure compliance with immigration laws. The Ministry also emphasised its commitment to tackling illegal immigration, citing Operation Kurangi, a nationwide initiative aimed at collecting biometric data from migrant workers. The operation has already gathered information on over 100,000 workers.

The Government is working towards a long-term solution to illegal immigration, with a target of resolving the issue by April 2027. As of now, more than 6,700 foreign nationals who were residing in the Maldives illegally have been deported.