28/08/2026
The revised Expat System Occupation Categorization List published by the Ministry of Homeland Security, Labour and Technology has reclassified many healthcare professionals—including some sub-specialty doctors, laboratory technologists, medical imaging technicians, etc —from “Professional” to “Non-Professional.”
This change strips qualified expatriate healthcare professionals of key benefits tied to professional status, including dependent visas and higher remittance limits.
Many of these workers have built their lives in the Maldives, with spouses and children living here and children attending local schools. The inability to renew dependent residence visas is now forcing families to separate and send spouses and children away—causing serious disruption to their lives and wellbeing.
This will also have wider consequences for an already heavily expatriate-dependent healthcare system, potentially affecting workforce retention and continuity of care.
We call on the Ministry of Homeland Security, Labour and Technology to urgently review and reconsider this categorization and recognize all healthcare professionals according to their qualifications, skills, responsibilities and vital contribution to healthcare delivery.
We also call on the Ministry of Health to act without delay by coordinating with the relevant authorities to rectify this issue and ensure that healthcare professionals are not unfairly affected by this reclassification.
Healthcare professionals must be recognized as professionals.
Dr Mohamed Muizzu The President's Office Ministry of Homeland Security, Labour and Technology Ministry of Health PSI Asia & Pacific Solidarity Center
