Ministry extends period to release work visas to stranded expats
Employment approval to be processed by Economic Ministry until 30 June
(File photo) Employment approval to be processed by Economic Ministry until 30 June
Ministry of Economic Development has extended the period during which they will release work visas to expatriates who are currently unable to leave the Maldives and return home.
The Economic Ministry announced that those expatriates, who had been unable to return to their countries of origin due to international travel restrictions caused by the global Covid-19 pandemic, and who had acquired a business or special visa before 1 December 2020, would receive employment approvals should they wish to continue working in the Maldives.
The deadline for releasing employment approvals is 30 June.
A press statement publicized by Maldives Immigration on 20 December 2020 details that work visas are to be given to expatriates with employment approval who have not been able to return to their countries due to the Covid-19 pandemic, and that work visas would only be issued to those who have an unexpired visa on hand at the time of application.
Immigration further announced that work visas would only be issued to those who had entered the Maldives before 1 December 2020, and those who had been employed in the Maldives after entering the country with a special visa. The press statement by Immigration clarifies that this includes those expatriates brought into the Maldives by different clubs, associations and organizations as well.
Additionally, Maldives Immigration requests those expatriates who wish to transition from business and special visas to work visas, to do so under the established framework before 1 June 2021.
