276 expatriates were deported from the Maldives last year.

This was revealed by the Ministry of Defence and National Security, through its annual report for 2021.

As such, the report indicates that the Maldives Immigration department had issued more than 60,000 work visas during the past year alone.

A total of 60,060 work visas were issued in 2021, alongside 4,808 visas including 2,465 dependent visas, 570 special visas, 929 business visas, 422 student visas and 422 resident or marriage visas.

Further, 36 expatriates were deported last year due to medical reasons, with 2,147 deported under clearance.

While over 150,000 expatriates have been registered in the Maldives to date, the issue of undocumented expatriates residing illegally in the Maldives, has been of growing concern.

The Ministry of Economic Development also accords a high priority to the matter as well, as many expatriates are also known to be working illegally.

The incumbent administration has been working to resolve the issue of undocumented expatriates over the years.