2019 • Reform and governance

Public trust as the first priority

Took office in December 2018 and, within weeks, set the restoration of public trust in the service as its first priority.

2019 • Reform and governance

Refocus on the core mandate

Immigration announced that it would concentrate on issuing visas and work permits, with most other foreign-worker services, including registration, quotas and employment approvals, moving to the Ministry of Economic Development. The aim was to curb corruption and free the service to expand to the atolls.

2019 • Reform and governance

93% of annual targets met

Immigration met 93% of its targets for 2019, with 14 major milestones reached, as announced at the Kashavaru 2019 ceremony.

2019 • Reform and governance

Open reporting

Immigration began publishing its statistics for the public.

2020 • COVID-19 response

Imuga and the Traveller Health Declaration

When the border reopened on 15 July 2020, Maldives Immigration launched the Traveller Health Declaration through its online portal, Imuga. Tourists, visa holders and Maldivians file a self-declared health form within 24 hours before travel, which reduced health risks and simplified immigration procedures during the pandemic.

2020 • COVID-19 response

Support for stranded foreigners

Business and special visa holders who had entered before 1 December 2019 and could not return home while borders were closed were granted work visas under Employment Approval. An Emergency Departure Form was introduced for expatriates who could not renew their visas.

2020 • COVID-19 response

Repatriation

Immigration reported helping repatriate 13,532 expatriate workers and 17,951 stranded tourists while international borders were closed.

2020 – 2021 • COVID-19 response

Keeping the airport moving

As arrivals recovered and COVID-19 checks added to the workload at Velana International Airport, Immigration worked with airlines to ease enforcement of health guidelines, redesigned its online portal for tourists, and kept processing time within 45 seconds per passenger.

2018 – 2023 • Services and digital

Online services

Launched online passport applications with online payments, online work visa services and the Rashun system for passport services from the islands, and set up call centres to share information, all reported among the 2019 milestones. Online services continued to expand so that more immigration business could be handled without a visit to the office.

2018 – 2023 • Services and digital

Faster service for businesses

Administrative reforms cut processing times: work visas processed within 24 hours, passports returned within 48 hours, and dedicated visa officers assigned to large employers. In 2019, business visas were issued within 48 hours, and foreigners on business visas could enter through Gan International Airport.

2020 • Services and digital

Maldives Border Miles

Maldives Immigration initiated the Border Miles loyalty programme for visitors, announced in September 2020 and implemented from 1 December 2020. Members earn points by how often they visit and how long they stay, and move through three tiers (Aida, Antara and Abaarana) with growing benefits. Delivered in partnership with the Ministry of Tourism, MMPRC and Maldives Airports Company Limited.

2018 – 2023 • Services and digital

Services closer to the atolls

Worked to decentralise immigration services. Opened a branch in Dhidhoo, Haa Alifu Atoll, in June 2019, the fourth outside Malé, and a branch in Thinadhoo, Gaafu Dhaalu Atoll, inaugurated by President Solih in August 2023. By then immigration services were available on seven islands, with applicants able to choose their passport pickup location when applying online.

2018 – 2023 • Border security and enforcement

Stronger border security

Added border facilities at all international airports and introduced services to screen arrivals by sea comprehensively. In 2019, a Document Control Examination Lab was set up at Gan International Airport and a Border Control Mobile System was introduced for seaport clearance.

2019 • Border security and enforcement

Preventing work on tourist visas

Immigration reported turning away an average of 139 foreigners a month at the border on suspicion of trying to work on a tourist visa or committing other visa violations.

2021 • Border security and enforcement

Enforcement at the border

Immigration refused entry to more than 200 travellers over fraudulent hotel reservations and strengthened its monitoring to stop tourists being brought in on fake bookings.

2018 – 2023 • Border security and enforcement

Action on human trafficking

Referred 27 human trafficking cases to the authorities in 2019 and helped begin a joint investigation into human trafficking with other law enforcement bodies.

2018 – 2023 • People and capacity

Capacity and training

Championed structured training programmes, enforcement studies and staff recognition, including the Rankamana award for women in immigration. In 2019 alone, 131 officers and 48 people from other organisations were trained across seven areas of immigration services, and 25 officers were given higher education opportunities.

2019 • International cooperation

Agreement with INTERPOL

Signed an agreement, on behalf of Maldives Immigration and together with the INTERPOL National Central Bureau Malé, giving Immigration access to INTERPOL's border security management database to strengthen passenger screening. Signed on 19 July 2019.

2023 • International cooperation

Immigration cooperation with Sri Lanka

Part of the Maldivian delegation to Sri Lanka, where the two governments signed a Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation on Immigration Matters.

2023 • International cooperation

Immigration cooperation with India

Signed, on behalf of Maldives Immigration, a Memorandum of Understanding with India's Bureau of Immigration on immigration cooperation.