Maldives government on Wednesday confirmed expatriates flying to the country on work-visa will not be required to get special permit under employment approval procedures.

Earlier, amid the border closure foreigners arriving in Maldives under critical circumstances were asked to acquire special permits prior to their arrival. However, the procedure has been waivered off effective from 15 July onward.

While Maldives was observing full restriction of international travels and border closure, expatriates arriving to the island nation following holidays were acquired to take a special permit from Ministry of Economic Development.

The additional permit apart from the Employment Approval was the state's move to ensure safety measures in the island nation amid the Covid-19 pandemic outbreak.

Earlier, on 27 March Maldives borders closed down officially while state imposed cancellation of on-arrival visas. International travels were restricted, with only cargo flights and special charter flights exempted - through prior permission and approval.

On Wednesday, 15 July, Maldives reopened its international borders and lifted off the travel restrictions, restarting the stagnated aviation industry and subsequently the tourism industry.