The Maldives Immigration has annulled a recent provision to the legalization of undocumented workers residing in the Maldives, which waives the legalization fee charged by the office.  

The office said on Monday that this change was annulled due to a review of the Maldives Immigration’s mandate, and some of their work being transferred to the Ministry of Economic Development.

The Maldives Immigration levies a fee of MVR 6,000 (about USD 380) for each legalized immigrant, who are given this status after review of their employment, and agreement with an employer.

The legalization provision was introduced as a means of reducing the number of undocumented workers residing in the Maldives.

While authorities acknowledge that there are about 63,000 undocumented workers in the country, the actual amount is estimated to be much higher.