President Mohamed Muizzu has announced that all foreign workers who do not update their fingerprints and photos (biometrics) will be deported starting November 16.

Speaking at the ruling People's National Congress (PNC) rally last night, Muizzu said the deadline for updating biometrics expires on November 15 and the deportation will begin on November 16.

"The deadline expires tomorrow. Any foreigner who does not register by tomorrow or does not provide biometrics will be deported immediately," he announced.

Muizzu said the government has taken biometrics of 191,723 foreigners under the Kurangi operation.

"We have taken 10 fingerprints of 191,723 foreigners since we started the operation. We now know the foreigners in the Maldives, their locations and similar details," he added.

Muizzu also said 9,021 foreigners were deported over the past two years for being undocumented and for committing crimes. He said this figure is many times more than the previous government.