Maldives Immigration has revealed that the authority will resume visa extension services from Sunday onwards, as several hindrances are being faced due to the issuance of visas of expatriates residing in the Maldives being halted.

This was revealed via a statement, where the authority revealed that their visa services were halted as government offices have been closed for an additional week as a precautionary measure to curb the spread of the Novel Coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic.

However, the department will continue visa extension services from Sunday onwards after finding that there is “a huge need” for the service as well as to avoid the hassle once government offices resume work.

The statement goes on to read that applications for work-visa extension will be accepted from 9am to 1pm through Sunday to Thursday via the Xpat Online System.

The department will be taking appointments for passport submissions from 09:10am to 12pm during these days as well.

Immigration has stressed on the importance of social distancing and urged individuals to practice physical distancing in accordance with the guidelines set by the Health Protection Agency (HPA) when queuing up to submit and collect passports.

Further, applications for other visas will be accepted online once the relevant documents are forwarded viae-mail.

Appointment details for submission and collection of passports will be given once the documents are processed.

In addition, the authority has revealed that tourist and business visa holders are not required to extend their visa for the departure process once the flights resume operation or when the government facilitates their departure. They are however, required to submit the application forms for emergency departure after checking in to board their respective flights. The forms will be applicable if visas expire after 19 March.