Complete Guide To Obtaining A Malta Work Visa And Permit

Malta is a small but vibrant and sophisticated country. So, if you want to work in Malta and experience all the country has to offer, you must understand how to apply for a Maltese work visa and which conditions you must meet.

Do I Need a Visa to Work in Malta?

To work in Malta, anyone from a non-EU/EEA nation or Switzerland must apply for a visa. Even if you want to work for fewer than 90 days, you must obtain a visa.

Meanwhile, EU/EEA/Swiss citizens can stay in Malta indefinitely and work without a work permit. They must register with the Department of Citizenship and Expatriate Affairs within three months of arrival.

Types of Malta Work Permits

The types of Malta work permits are as follows:

• Single Permit.
• Key employment initiative.
• EU Blue Card.

The Malta work visa is a term encompassing all the types of work permits issued by the Maltese government.

Single permit

A Malta single permit is a work visa that allows the holder to reside and work in Malta indefinitely. To apply for a single permit, you must have a job offer from a Maltese firm. In Malta, you must apply for a single permit. If you are still abroad, your employer will submit the application on your behalf. A single permit takes two to three months to process.

Key Employee Initiative

Malta has announced the Key Employee Initiative, a new work visa for highly trained professionals. This work visa is provided quickly, with a five-day processing time. However, in order to be eligible for the Key Employment Initiative, you must meet the following criteria:

• Relevant skills and work experience for the qualified job.
• An annual salary of at least €30,000.
• Document copies of your previous work experiences over the last three years.

EU Blue Card

The EU Blue Card is granted to highly skilled employees who will work in a qualifying position and earn at least 1.5 times Malta’s average gross yearly wage. The Malta EU Blue Card is valid for at least one year and can be renewed forever if you meet the work requirements.

Malta Work Visa Requirements

Here is the list of documents that you need to submit when applying for a Malta work visa and work permit:

• Your valid passport. Make sure your passport has at least two blank pages for the visa and entry stamp.
• Work visa application form. The application must be completed and signed at the end. Make sure you fill the application form with your updated information.
• A passport-sized photo. Make sure the photos are with colors and with a light background. See Schengen photo guidelines for further information.
• A work contract. The work contract must contain your job description, salary, beginning date, and end date of employment.
• Your updated CV. You must prepare a CV with your previous work experiences and references from your employers.
• Medical insurance. You must purchase travel health insurance with at least €30,000 coverage within the Schengen area, valid for the initial duration of your trip. Since you will likely live and work in Malta long-term, after arrival, you should register for a more comprehensive health insurance policy.
• Accommodation proof. Document proof that you have a place to stay while working in Malta. It can be a rental agreement, hotel reservation, a letter of invitation from your friends, family members, etc.
• Flight itinerary. Proof that you have booked a flight to Malta.

Note: Depending on your unique situation or the nation from which you apply, you may be required to provide extra documents. Make sure you include all of the essential documents with your application form. Any missing document may result in your visa being rejected.

Application Process for Malta Work Visa

Follow these steps when applying for a work visa in Malta:

• Collect the required documents.
• Enter Malta and submit the application.
• Apply for an employment license.
• Receive the work permit and begin working.

Step 1. Collect the Required Documents for a Malta Work Visa

To apply for a Malta work visa, you must collect the documents mentioned above.

Step 2. Enter Malta and Submit the Visa Application

You have to submit the application for a Malta work visa (i.e., single permit) from inside Malta. The process is as follows:

• Apply for a Malta national visa for employment at the embassy of Malta in your country*.
• Receive the Interim Receipt card. The Malta embassy issues the Interim Receipt Card, which will allow you to enter Malta for the purpose of applying for a single permit.
• Apply for a Single Permit. After entering Malta, you must submit the application form and all relevant documents in person to the Identity Malta Agency. When you submit the application form, you must pay the €280.50 application fee. If you receive a good response, you will be awarded a Single Permit and will be able to begin working in Malta.

*If you don’t need a visa, Malta will directly issue an Interim Receipt to allow you to enter and stay in Malta until you receive a response to your application.

Step 3. Your Employer Applies for an Employment License

Your employer (a government representative) must apply for an employment license (also known as a work permit) on your behalf through the Job plus website. Your job permit is normally valid for one year.

Before getting the employment license, your employer must demonstrate that the post was openly advertised and that no Maltese citizen could have filled it.

Step 4. Receive the Work Permit and Begin Working

Once you and your employer have submitted all relevant applications, you will receive a response by text message or email. If your Malta work permit is approved, Identity Malta will send you the residence card. The moment that you receive the card, you can legally work and stay in Malta.

Note: After you submit the application in Malta, you should not exit until you have heard a decision. The interim receipt does not allow you to re-enter Malta.

Can I Apply for a Malta Work Visa from Abroad?

No, you cannot. You must apply for a Malta work visa through the IMA (Identity Malta Agency). If you are unable to travel to Malta, your employer will apply on your behalf.

If your employer applies on your behalf and the application is approved, the Identity Malta Agency will issue you an invitation letter to enter Malta within 60 days. The invitation letter will provide information and restrictions on how to proceed to Malta and how to finalize your application and begin working in Malta.

Processing Time for a Malta Work Visa

The processing time for a Malta work visa is 5 to 15 working days. The processing time starts from the day you submit the documents to the embassy or consulate. You will receive a text message or an email responding to your visa application.

Malta Work Visa Fees

The fees for Malta work visas are as follows:

• Single Permit –  €280.50
• Employment License – €150
• The Application for Employment License – €50
• EU Blue Card – €140
• Type D (National Visa) – €100

Duration of a Malta Work Visa

The work visa duration for Malta is one year. At this time, you will be able to work and stay in Malta. You can extend your Malta work permit after a year if you are still an employee in Malta.

Extension for Malta Work Visa

If you want to extend your work visa beyond one year, you must apply for a renewal. You must submit an application for renewal together with proof that you paid your taxes during your stay in Malta.

Please keep in mind that you cannot ask for an extension if your working conditions change and you are no longer employed.

Family Members of The Main Applicant

Foreign citizens who have lived in Malta for one year can bring their family members to Malta. Family members are defined as:

• A spouse over twenty-one years old and legally married to you.
• You and your spouse’s minor children, biological or adopted.
• Your spouse’s minor unmarried children (including adopted children).

Malta Seasonal Work Visa

The seasonal work visa lets you work and vacation in Malta. Only New Zealanders and Australians can get seasonal work visas. You must be 18–30 to get this visa. It’s a one-year Malta visa. You can travel other Schengen countries twice a year for 90 days with this visa. Family members are not allowed in Malta with a seasonal work visa.