Our Services
Visas, enforcement, and intelligence-led border management
From officers travelling to remote resorts to issue visas by hand, to a fully online eVisa system — and from early expatriate monitoring to intelligence-led, technology-driven enforcement — this is the story of visa services and their enforcement in the Maldives.
From on-site resort visas to the fully online eVisa system.
Officers issuing visas at Furanafushi and Biyadhoo, 1989.
1980s
Before the era of centralized immigration counters and online systems, Immigration officers travelled directly to remote resorts and islands to provide visa services on-site.
1990s
Visa processing became more standardized and centralized, with rubber stamp endorsements used to record legal stay and visa category authorizations.
3 January 2010
The traditional rubber stamp system was upgraded with secure visa stickers featuring enhanced durability and anti-forgery features, alongside the introduction of visa cards.
2000s · 2007
The Maldives Immigration Act was enacted in 2007, formally establishing and strengthening modern visa categories including Resident, Dependent, and Student visas. Over the years, visa services were provided from several locations, including the Naadhee, Huravee, and Gaazee buildings.
2010
2019–2021
2020s · 10 November 2025
Under the Maldives 2.0 initiative, the eVisa system was launched, enabling applicants to apply for and receive visas entirely online — eliminating in-person visits and physical document submissions.
The Enforcement Compliance Division — from early expatriate monitoring to technology-driven, nationwide operations.
2000s
Enforcement activities were strengthened during the early 2000s, leading to the identification and repatriation of undocumented expatriates residing in the country. A 75-capacity detention centre was opened in February 2013 to support expatriate monitoring, detention, and repatriation operations.
2020
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Immigration assisted stranded expatriates with accommodation and repatriation, relocating those living in overcrowded conditions to designated facilities.
18 April 2022
The Expatriate Monitoring and Compliance Section became the Enforcement Compliance Division (ECD), enhancing compliance and enforcement efforts amid limited detention capacity.
28 May 2023
The ECD relocated to Hulhumalé Phase II, introducing 24/7 operations and a 200-capacity Immigration Detention Centre to strengthen enforcement and detention management.
17 November 2023
Following the change of government, a multi-agency National Taskforce for Combating Illegal Expatriate Operations was established to address the country's growing illegal migration challenges.
25 May 2024
Immigration's first female-led raid marked a historic milestone in women's participation in frontline enforcement.
Nov 2023 – Dec 2024
Nationwide compliance operations repatriated over 5,000 undocumented expatriates — the highest number under any government.
16 November 2025
The MMCP strengthened monitoring and compliance efforts, deploying motorcycles to support ECD field operations across the Maldives.
9 May 2026
A special Task Force operation screened 1,344 expatriates across 639 locations, detaining 254 individuals found in violation of immigration regulations — the largest mass inspection to date.
Intelligence and Risk Management — strengthening intelligence-led border security.
2010s
Dedicated intelligence units were established to strengthen intelligence-led border management through risk analysis, investigations, intelligence gathering, passenger risk assessment, and inter-agency cooperation — including at Velana International Airport.
2017
The Verifier system was introduced to enhance document fraud detection.
2021
The Maldives integrated its national database with INTERPOL's global database, a significant advancement in international law enforcement cooperation and border security.
17 July 2024
“Immigration Watch” was launched, enabling the public to securely report illegal immigration, undocumented expatriates, and other immigration-related violations.
10 November 2025
The “MI ID Checker” application was introduced, using facial recognition to verify identity and immigration records and strengthen enforcement against undocumented foreign workers.
Continuous training and international collaboration have strengthened officer capabilities in border management, enforcement, document examination, fraud detection, intelligence-led operations, and evolving border security practices.