EuropeSelect the passports you hold to see short-stay access and per-route eligibility for Malta.
Short stays: tourism, transit, business trips, medical, pilgrimage.
Tourist Visa
Electronic travel authorisation for visa-exempt nationals (e.g. US, UK, Canada, Japan). Valid 3 years for short stays of up to 90 days in any 180-day period. We apply on your behalf end-to-end. Fees illustrative.
Tourist Visa
Short-stay visa for tourism: up to 90 days within any 180-day period. We prepare your forms and documents; you attend the consulate/VFS appointment to submit biometrics. Government fee EUR 90 (illustrative).
Transit Visa
Required by some nationalities to pass through the international transit area of a Schengen airport without entering. Whether you need one depends on your nationality. Government fee EUR 90 (illustrative).
Business Visitor Visa
Short-stay visa for business trips (meetings, conferences, negotiations): up to 90 days within any 180-day period. We prepare forms and documents; you submit at the consulate/VFS. Government fee EUR 90 (illustrative).
Not yet researched
Universities, language courses, internships and exchanges.
Student Visa
For stays over 90 days to study. Issued under national rules -- apply at the consulate of your destination country. We guide you; submission is in person. Fees and processing times vary by country.
Student Visa
Non-EU students accepted by an institution licensed by the Malta Further and Higher Education Authority for a full-time course over 90 days enter on a national long-stay (Type D) visa, then apply in person to Identita for a study residence permit (EUR 50 fee) within 3 months of arrival. Applicants must show financial means of roughly EUR 950 per month of stay; permits are issued for up to 1 year and renewed for the course duration. Students may work up to 20 hours/week after the first 3 months, subject to Jobsplus conditions; graduates of higher courses may seek status changes to work routes.
Language Course Visa
Malta is one of the largest English-language-teaching destinations in the EU; non-EU students on courses longer than 90 days at a licensed ELT school obtain a national long-stay (Type D) visa and then a study residence permit from Identita. The school must be licensed by the Malta Further and Higher Education Authority, and students must show enrolment, accommodation and sufficient funds (roughly EUR 700-1,200/month of living costs). Language students may work up to 20 hours per week after their first 3 months of study, subject to Jobsplus sector conditions.
Not yet researched
Digital nomad, freelance, skilled employment and company transfers.
Digital Nomad Visa
Residence permit for non-EU/EEA/Swiss remote workers employed by, partners in, or freelancing for companies registered outside Malta. Requires a minimum gross annual income of EUR 42,000 (raised from EUR 32,400 in April 2024), Malta accommodation, and health insurance covering EU and UK risks. Issued for 1 year and renewable up to a maximum of 4 years; income from authorised work taxed at a flat 10% after a 12-month exemption; EUR 300 fee per applicant plus EUR 100 residence-card fee.
Self-Employment Visa
Third-country nationals may work self-employed in Malta only if they meet restrictive Jobsplus criteria: a capital expenditure of at least EUR 500,000 in fixed business assets within 6 months of licence issue, OR a commitment to hire at least three Maltese/EEA/Swiss nationals within 18 months, OR leading a project formally approved by Malta Enterprise, OR being a highly skilled innovator in an approved business plan. Residence is granted via the single permit route, issued for 1 year and renewable subject to continued compliance.
Startup / Entrepreneur Visa
Residence route for non-EU founders/co-founders of innovative startups (registered no more than 7 years anywhere, not formed by merger, profits not yet distributed) endorsed by Malta Enterprise. Requires tangible investment or paid-up share capital of at least EUR 25,000, plus EUR 10,000 per co-founder beyond four (maximum six co-founders); core employees and immediate family may be included. Permit issued for 3 years, extendable for a further 5 years; founders must live in Malta and become tax resident.
Skilled Work Visa
For stays over 90 days to work. Requires employer sponsorship / a work permit before you can apply, so eligibility is conditional. Issued under national rules -- apply at the consulate of your destination country. Fees and processing times vary by country.
Skilled Work Visa
Residence and work permit for highly qualified third-country nationals with a university degree (or, for some roles, 10 years' relevant experience) and an employment contract of at least 6 months paying at least 1.5 times Malta's average gross annual salary (approx. EUR 38,628 for 2026). First card issued for 2 years, renewable for 3; allows intra-EU mobility under the recast Blue Card Directive. Fee EUR 600 for first applications, EUR 150 per renewal year; applications via the Identita single permit platform.
Skilled Work Visa
The standard combined work-and-residence permit for any third-country national taking up employment in Malta; the employer applies to Identita with labour-market clearance from Jobsplus. Standard processing takes roughly 2-4 months, fees are EUR 600 for a first application, EUR 150 per renewal year and EUR 600 for a change of employer; the permit is issued for 1 year and renewable. From 1 March 2026 first-time applicants must complete a mandatory pre-departure orientation course before travelling to Malta.
Skilled Work Visa
Fast-track single permit for third-country nationals in managerial or highly technical roles, and for innovators in Malta Enterprise-endorsed startups. Requires an annual gross salary of at least EUR 45,000 (threshold effective 1 August 2025) plus certified qualifications or relevant work experience; applications are processed within about 5 working days. Initial permit valid 1 year, renewable for up to 3 years; first application fee EUR 600, renewals EUR 150 per year.
Intra-Company Transfer Visa
Permit for managers, specialists and trainee employees transferred from a non-EU entity to a Maltese entity of the same undertaking or group. Requires prior employment in the group of 3-12 uninterrupted months (3-6 for trainees), an assignment letter stating duration, location, remuneration and the right to transfer back. Maximum stay is 3 years for managers/specialists and 1 year for trainees; intra-EU mobility is possible under the ICT Directive.
Not yet researched
Golden visas, real estate, citizenship by investment, passive income.
Golden Visa (Residence by Investment)
Permanent residence by investment for non-EU/EEA/Swiss nationals: purchase property of at least EUR 375,000 or rent at EUR 14,000+/year for 5 years, pay a EUR 37,000 government contribution, a EUR 60,000 non-refundable administrative fee (EUR 15,000 at application, EUR 45,000 on approval) and a EUR 2,000 NGO donation. Applicants must hold assets of EUR 500,000 (incl. EUR 150,000 financial) or EUR 650,000 (incl. EUR 75,000 liquid). Status is permanent with no minimum stay; residence cards renewed every 5 years; applications only via licensed agents.
Citizenship by Investment
CJEU ruled on 29 April 2025 (C-181/23) that Malta's investor citizenship scheme infringed EU law. The fixed-contribution MEIN model (EUR 600k/750k + property + donation) was abolished by July 2025 amendments to the Maltese Citizenship Act; it was replaced by discretionary 'citizenship by merit' naturalisation for exceptional services (Art. 10(9)) with no price list or fixed investment threshold, administered by Community Malta Agency.
Non-Lucrative / Passive Income Visa
Special tax-status residence route for economically self-sufficient non-EU/EEA/Swiss nationals. Requires buying property of at least EUR 275,000 (EUR 220,000 in Gozo/South Malta) or renting at EUR 9,600/yr (EUR 8,750 Gozo/South), with foreign income remitted to Malta taxed at a flat 15% subject to a EUR 15,000 minimum annual tax. One-time administrative fee of EUR 6,000 (EUR 5,500 if property in the south of Malta); holders must not spend more than 183 days/year in any other single jurisdiction and may work in Malta with a permit; status renews annually with the tax return.
Not yet researched
Retirement visas and working holiday schemes.
Retirement Visa
Tax-status residence programme for EU and non-EU retirees whose pension constitutes at least 75% of their chargeable income and is fully remitted to Malta. Requires property purchase from EUR 275,000 (EUR 220,000 Gozo/South Malta) or rent from EUR 9,600/yr (EUR 8,750 Gozo/South); foreign pension income taxed at 15% with a minimum annual tax of EUR 7,500 plus EUR 500 per dependant. Beneficiaries must spend at least 90 days/year in Malta averaged over 5 years and no more than 183 days/year in any other jurisdiction.
Not yet researched
Reunification, spouse routes and ancestry-based repatriation.
Family Reunification Visa
Allows a third-country national legally resident in Malta for at least 2 years (application admissible 12 months after the first permit) with reasonable prospects of permanent residence to sponsor a spouse (aged 21+) and dependent minor children. The sponsor must show stable income equal to the national median wage (around EUR 18,940/year per the latest NSO figure) plus 20% of the median wage per family member, suitable accommodation and health insurance. Family members receive renewable residence permits aligned with the sponsor's permit.
Spouse / Partner Visa
Third-country and EU spouses living with a Maltese citizen qualify for Exempt Person Status under Article 4 of the Immigration Act, giving residence (and in practice access to employment) without permit fees. The couple must prove a subsisting marriage and cohabitation; applications go through the Identita Expatriates Unit portal and take about 30 working days. After 5 years of marriage and continued cohabitation, the spouse may apply for Maltese citizenship by registration.
Ancestry / Repatriation
Persons born outside Malta who are direct-line descendants of an ascendant born in Malta to a parent also born in Malta (two consecutive Malta-born generations) may register as Maltese citizens under the 2007 amendments to the Maltese Citizenship Act, with no residency requirement. Applications (Form K) are filed with Community Malta Agency for EUR 150, plus EUR 50 on collection of the certificate. Where the intermediate ascendant was alive on 1 August 2007, that ascendant must register first to keep the chain alive, with a deadline of 1 August 2028.
Not yet researched
Talent, religious, humanitarian, media, official and permanent residence.
Long-Term Residence Permit
Third-country nationals who have resided legally and continuously in Malta for 5 years or more may apply for EU long-term resident status. Requirements include stable and regular resources, own suitable accommodation, sickness insurance, and integration measures under S.L. 217.05 (Maltese/English language proficiency and a course on Maltese society). The status is permanent; the residence card is issued for 5 years and renewed automatically on application.
Not yet researched
Data verified against official sources — see how.
Completed application form
Complete the official visa or residence application form for your destination. Most consulates now use an online portal where you fill in the form, upload documents and book an appointment; print and sign the confirmation page.
| Issued by | Destination consulate / immigration portal |
|---|---|
| Typical cost | Usually free (the visa fee is separate) |
| Typical time | 30–60 minutes to complete |
Verified 11 Jun 2026
Passport
Apply for or renew your passport at your country's passport authority (often the foreign-affairs or interior ministry, a passport office or designated post office). Most visa portals want a clear colour scan of the bio-data page; keep the passport valid at least 6 months beyond your trip with two blank pages.
| Issued by | National passport authority |
|---|---|
| Typical cost | $20–$150 |
| Typical time | 1–6 weeks (expedited often available) |
Verified 11 Jun 2026
Passport photo
Have a recent passport photo taken at a pharmacy, photo booth or photographer, or use a compliant online photo tool. The common size is 35×45 mm with a plain light background, neutral expression and no glasses; the US and a few others require 2×2 in (51×51 mm). Get 2–4 prints plus a digital copy.
| Issued by | Any photographer or photo booth (ICAO 9303 standard) |
|---|---|
| Typical cost | $5–$15 |
| Typical time | Same day |
Verified 11 Jun 2026
Travel medical insurance
Buy a travel-medical insurance policy covering your whole trip and every destination country, then print the certificate. For the Schengen Area the EU Visa Code requires at least €30,000 of cover for medical emergencies and repatriation, valid across all member states.
| Issued by | Any approved insurer |
|---|---|
| Typical cost | $10–$60 per trip |
| Typical time | Immediate |
Verified 11 Jun 2026
Proof of accommodation
Show where you will stay: a hotel booking, a signed tenancy/lease, a host's invitation with their address, or an address-registration document. For longer stays a registered rental contract is usually expected.
| Issued by | Landlord / host / municipality |
|---|---|
| Typical cost | free–$50 |
| Typical time | Same day–1 week |
Verified 11 Jun 2026
Return / onward ticket
Provide a flight reservation or an onward/return ticket itinerary. Many travellers use a held reservation (not a paid ticket) from an airline, travel agent or flight-itinerary service so they are not committed before the visa is granted.
| Issued by | Airline / travel agent |
|---|---|
| Typical cost | free–$30 for a reservation |
| Typical time | Same day |
Verified 11 Jun 2026
Proof of sufficient funds
Show you can support your stay using bank statements, a salary or pension certificate, a sponsorship/affidavit of support, or evidence of savings or income that meets the published minimum for the visa. Combine several documents if one is not enough.
| Issued by | Your bank / employer / sponsor |
|---|---|
| Typical cost | free–$20 |
| Typical time | Same day–1 week |
Verified 11 Jun 2026
Acceptance letter
Once you are accepted, request an admission/acceptance letter or certificate of enrolment from the school or university's admissions or registrar office. It should confirm the programme, the dates and that tuition is arranged.
| Issued by | School / university (admissions office) |
|---|---|
| Typical cost | Usually free |
| Typical time | A few days–2 weeks |
Verified 11 Jun 2026
Type D study visa
Obtain a national ID card or a citizenship/nationality certificate from your civil-registry or interior ministry. For ancestry- or origin-based routes, request the birth, naturalisation or archive records that prove the qualifying lineage.
| Issued by | Civil registry / interior ministry |
|---|---|
| Typical cost | free–$50 |
| Typical time | Same day–several weeks |
Verified 11 Jun 2026
Tuition payment receipt
Pay the visa or government fee through the channel the consulate specifies — card payment on the application portal, bank transfer, or in person at the visa centre. Keep the receipt or transaction confirmation to upload or present.
| Issued by | Destination consulate / payment provider |
|---|---|
| Typical cost | Varies by visa |
| Typical time | Immediate–2 days |
Verified 11 Jun 2026
Proof of remote work
Gather evidence that you work remotely for clients or an employer outside the destination: your employment or client contracts stating remote work, recent invoices or payslips, and a letter from the employer confirming you may work from abroad.
| Issued by | Employer / clients |
|---|---|
| Typical cost | Free |
| Typical time | A few days |
Verified 11 Jun 2026
Police conduct certificate
Apply for a police clearance or good-conduct certificate from the national police or a designated portal (and from any country where you lived long-term). It typically needs an apostille and translation and must be recent — issued within the last 3–6 months.
| Issued by | National police |
|---|---|
| Typical cost | free–$50 |
| Typical time | Days–weeks |
Verified 11 Jun 2026
Marriage/birth certificates
Order a certified copy of your birth certificate from the civil-registry/vital-records office where you were born (often available online). For foreign use it usually needs an apostille or legalisation and a translation.
| Issued by | Civil registry / vital records |
|---|---|
| Typical cost | $10–$50 |
| Typical time | Same day–3 weeks |
Verified 11 Jun 2026
Business plan
Prepare a business or project plan describing the activity, market, financial projections and job creation. You usually write this yourself; some startup or investor visas require it to follow a set template or be reviewed by an approved incubator.
| Issued by | Self-prepared (sometimes incubator-endorsed) |
|---|---|
| Typical cost | free–consultant fee |
| Typical time | Varies |
Verified 11 Jun 2026
Jobsplus employment licence application
Request a letter on company letterhead from your employer stating your position, start date, salary and that your leave or continued employment is approved, signed by HR or a manager. For work visas this may instead be a formal work permit or job-offer letter issued by the employer or labour authority.
| Issued by | Employer (HR) / labour authority |
|---|---|
| Typical cost | Free |
| Typical time | A few days |
Verified 11 Jun 2026
Company/VAT registration
Get an up-to-date extract from the commercial/companies register (chamber of commerce or trade registry) showing your company's registration, or your trade or professional licence. Many registries issue this online for a small fee.
| Issued by | Commercial register / chamber of commerce |
|---|---|
| Typical cost | free–$50 |
| Typical time | Same day–1 week |
Verified 11 Jun 2026
Employment contract
Obtain a signed copy of your employment contract from your employer's HR. It should show the parties, job title, salary, duration and signatures; some consulates want it stamped or, for work visas, registered with the labour authority.
| Issued by | Employer / labour authority |
|---|---|
| Typical cost | Free |
| Typical time | Same day–1 week |
Verified 11 Jun 2026
Jobsplus labour-market documentation
This is a destination- or programme-specific supporting document. Follow the exact instruction on the official consulate or immigration checklist for your visa; if it is unclear, contact the consulate or visa application centre for guidance on how to obtain it.
| Issued by | Destination consulate / immigration authority |
|---|---|
| Typical cost | Varies |
| Typical time | Varies |
Verified 11 Jun 2026
Certified qualifications
Use your original diploma or degree certificate; for a replacement or official copy, ask the issuing institution's registrar. For use abroad it usually needs to be apostilled or legalised and translated.
| Issued by | Issuing institution / education ministry |
|---|---|
| Typical cost | free–$50 (plus apostille) |
| Typical time | Days–weeks |
Verified 11 Jun 2026
Stamped tax declaration (renewals)
Download your filed tax return or a tax-assessment/clearance certificate from your national tax authority's online portal, or request a certified copy at a tax office.
| Issued by | National tax authority |
|---|---|
| Typical cost | free–$30 |
| Typical time | Same day–2 weeks |
Verified 11 Jun 2026
Proof of group relationship
Prove the family link with civil documents — marriage and birth certificates connecting you to the relative, a family or household register, or, for unmarried partners, evidence of cohabitation (joint lease, bills, photos). Civil documents often need an apostille and translation.
| Issued by | Civil registry |
|---|---|
| Typical cost | Varies |
| Typical time | Days–weeks |
Verified 11 Jun 2026
Qualifying property documentation
Obtain the title deed or an extract from the land registry proving ownership; for a purchase, provide the notarised purchase contract. The land-registry office issues certified copies.
| Issued by | Land registry / notary |
|---|---|
| Typical cost | $10–$100 |
| Typical time | Same day–2 weeks |
Verified 11 Jun 2026
Civil status certificates
Order a certified copy of your marriage (or divorce) certificate from the civil registry that recorded it. For foreign use add an apostille or legalisation and a certified translation.
| Issued by | Civil registry |
|---|---|
| Typical cost | $10–$50 |
| Typical time | Same day–3 weeks |
Verified 11 Jun 2026
Official translations
Have documents translated by a sworn or certified translator and, where required, notarised. For cross-border use obtain an apostille (in Hague Convention countries) or consular legalisation from the competent authority in the country that issued the original.
| Issued by | Sworn translator / notary / apostille authority |
|---|---|
| Typical cost | $20–$60 per page |
| Typical time | Days–2 weeks |
Verified 11 Jun 2026
Integration certificates
Take the required language test (e.g. IELTS or TOEFL for English, DELF/TCF for French, Goethe or telc for German, or a national integration exam) at an accredited test centre and collect the certificate. Book early, as test slots fill up.
| Issued by | Accredited test provider |
|---|---|
| Typical cost | $100–$300 |
| Typical time | 2–6 weeks including results |
Verified 11 Jun 2026
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