Do I need a visa to work In Malta?
What we offer
01 WHO IS ELIGIBLE?
Single Permit for Third-Country Nationals (2026 Policy)
Third-country nationals with a job offer from a registered Maltese company may be eligible for a Single Permit, allowing them to live and work in Malta in the specified role.
The employer must apply online on behalf of the applicant; individuals cannot apply directly.
Applicants must either be still abroad or hold valid legal status in Malta at the time of application.
Applicants under international protection or awaiting immigration decisions in Malta or the Schengen area are not eligible.
Pre-departure courses and employer registration with Jobsplus are required under the 2026 policy.
Applications failing to meet eligibility will be refused with no refund.
Crew Members and Single Permit Requirements (2026 Policy)
When a crew member joins a vessel in Malta, they are treated as “still abroad” for work permit purposes once they are listed on the vessel’s crew list and receive a departure stamp.
If a crew member requires a Single Permit to work in Malta, the employer must submit a “still abroad” application on their behalf.
Once the Single Permit is approved, and if the crew member needs a Schengen entry visa, they must submit the Approval in Principle letter, completed visa application form, and other supporting documents to the appropriate Maltese Embassy or Consulate.
All visa applications based on the permit approval must be submitted within 180 days of receiving the approval in principle.
02 APPLYING FOR A SINGLE PERMIT
Single Permit applications may only be submitted by the employer, in the capacity of the Maltese organisation entrusting the carrying out of specific employment to the non-EU national.
Live-in carers may apply directly, provided that the application is endorsed by the employer.
Employers may apply for a third-country national through the Single Permit Online Portal. Follow these guidelines to apply and gain access to the portal.
Before a Single Permit can be submitted, the third‑country national must complete the mandatory Pre‑Departure Course and, where applicable (e.g., tourism and hospitality roles), obtain the Skills Pass. Completion of the Pre‑Departure Course and evidence of Skills Pass (if required) must be uploaded as part of the application.
Once access is approved by Identita, the employer can log into the Single Permit Online Portal. Guidelines to submit and manage existing applications can be found here.
Once the employer submits an application, the third-country national receives a link to confirm the application and validate the data submitted. Once confirmation is submitted, the employer will receive a notification for the final submission of the application.
Final submissions may only be done if the payment has been submitted online, by either the employer or the third-country national.
Applicable fee: €600 (as of year 2026)
03 PROCESSING PERIOD
Employers can view, track, and modify all submitted Single Permit applications through the Single Permit Online Portal, with the real-time status of each application displayed on the dashboard. Detailed explanations of each status are available in the Online Portal – Status Description section of the User Manual. Third-country nationals, on whose behalf an application is submitted, can also track the status using the link sent to them via email.
Under Subsidiary Legislation 217.17, applications may take up to four months for processing. However, under the 2026 policy, applications that include all required documentation — including proof of Pre-Departure Course completion and, where applicable, a Skills Pass — are typically processed within approximately two months from submission. The 2026 policy emphasizes that compliance with Pre-Departure and Skills Pass requirements is mandatory to avoid delays or refusal of the application.
04 RENEWAL
Single Permits are generally renewed annually, following the same procedure as initial applications. Renewal applications must be submitted before the current permit expires to avoid irregular migration status. Renewals should start 90 days before expiry, or 30 days if a health screening is required. Applicants must continue to comply with Pre-Departure Course requirements and hold a Skills Pass, if applicable. Updated health screening requirements are available here.
Applicable Fees (2026):
First-time Single Permit application: €600
Renewal of Single Permit: €150 per year
Change of employer: €600
Change of designation/role: €300
05 GUIDELINES ON REQUIRED DOCUMENTS
The following documents are typically required for Single Permit applications, including initial applications, renewals, and change of employer. Specific application types may require additional documentation, and Identità may request further supporting documents in certain circumstances.
Passport and Copy:
The original passport must always be presented at Identità offices.
A PDF copy of the entire passport, including blank pages, must be submitted.
Passport must be valid for at least six (6) months from the application date.
Any visa on the passport (Schengen or other) must be valid for the duration of the application period.
Curriculum Vitae (CV):
Must be in Europass CV format: https://europa.eu/europass/en/create-europass-cv
CV must be signed by the applicant (non-EU national).
Insurance Policy:
Must be a comprehensive policy, valid for at least one (1) year.
Health Screening:
Some applicants may require a health screening certificate.
First-time applicants: https://hpdp.gov.mt/idcu/work_permits_for_first_time_applicants
Renewal applicants: https://hpdp.gov.mt/idcu/health_screening_for_renewal_of_work_permit
Only the final health approval certificate issued by health authorities is accepted; proof of application alone is insufficient.
Employment Contract:
Copy of the original contract must be submitted and presented.
Contract must be signed by both employer and applicant, with the same position listed in all documents.
Declaration of Posting (if applicable):
Required for employers classified by Jobsplus as Temping Agencies.
Jobsplus Declaration of Suitability:
Form: https://jobsplus.gov.mt/resources/fileprovider.aspx?fileId=4374
Must be fully completed and signed by the employer.
Supporting Documentation for Recruitment Applications:
Academic certificates: must be included.
Reference letters: must include email contact of referees.
Position Description:
Form: https://jobsplus.gov.mt/resources/fileprovider.aspx?fileId=57263
Must be completed and signed by both employer and applicant.
Proof of Advertisement:
Advertisement must not be older than six (6) months from the application date.
Qualifications of Applicant:
All certificates must have recognition from the Malta Qualifications Recognition and Information Centre (MQRIC).
If recognition is pending, receipt from MQRIC must be attached.
Accommodation Agreement (Lease or Rent):
Original contract with signatures of landlord and tenant.
Must include names, ID numbers, and rental address.
Accompanied by Declaration by Landlord form.
If landlord is not Maltese, a purchase agreement of the property must be presented.
Contracts must not have alterations, white-outs, or overwritten details.
Housing Authority Approval Letter:
A copy of the approval letter issued by the Housing Authority for registration of the property as a rental, as per Cap. 604 of Maltese legislation.
Additional Notes (2026 Policy Updates):
First-time applicants must complete the Pre-Departure Course before submission.
Roles in tourism, hospitality, and certain regulated sectors require a Skills Pass, which must be evidenced in the application.
Identità may request any additional documentation to ensure compliance with the 2026 labour migration requirements.
06 CHANGE IN DESIGNATION OR EMPLOYER
The Single Permit issued to a non-EU national is specific to the employer and the designated role as listed on the residence document. Any changes to either the employer or the designation render the permit null and void, regardless of the validity dates shown, and a new application is required.
Change of Employer
A Change of Employer application must be submitted by the new employer before the non-EU national terminates their current employment. The process is carried out through the Single Permit Online Portal following the standard application procedure.
If the non-EU national has already terminated previous employment, the new employer may submit a Change of Employer application within 10 days of termination. While this application may still be considered for processing, the non-EU national is deemed to be in an irregular migration status under the Immigration Act (Cap. 217). The 10-day period is a grace period and is not established by legislation.
For terminations longer than 10 days, applications must comply with eligibility and legality criteria as set out in Subsidiary Legislation 217.17. Under the 2026 policy, all Change of Employer applications must also demonstrate that the applicant has completed the Pre-Departure Course (if applicable) and holds a valid Skills Pass for regulated roles.
Applicable fee (Change of Employer): €300
Change of Designation
If a change of designation occurs with the same employer, the employer must submit a Change of Designation application via the Single Permit Online Portal. Guidance for submitting this type of application is provided in the User Manual – How to Submit a Change of Designation Application.
Applicable fee (Change of Designation): €300
Failure to notify Identità of a change of employer or designation may result in the revocation of the residence permit.
01 WHO IS ELIGIBLE?
Third-country nationals who have secured an employment offer in Malta and meet the criteria of the Single Permit Regulations under Subsidiary Legislation 217.17, but do not qualify for the Key Employee Initiative, may be eligible for the fast-track Specialist Employee route to obtain their Single Permit. Only applicants with a signed contract with a Maltese-registered company are eligible.
Eligibility Criteria:
Annual gross salary: Minimum of €25,000 per annum.
Qualifications:
Possess an MQF Level 6 or higher in a field directly related to the employment position; or
Hold other academic, vocational, or certified skill qualifications equating to an MQF level lower than 6, directly relevant to the position, with at least three (3) years of relevant work experience.
Proof of Experience may include:
Previous employment contracts, signed by both employer and employee;
Employment history issued and officially certified (stamped or legalized) by the employment authority of the country where the work was held;
Reference letters from former employers, showing start and end dates, work performed, and including valid contact details (email, postal address, phone number) for verification.
Under the 2026 policy, all applicants must also demonstrate completion of the Pre-Departure Course, and if the role is in a regulated sector (e.g., tourism, hospitality), the applicant must hold a Skills Pass.
Identità may request additional documentation if the submitted materials are insufficient to verify eligibility.
Applicable fee (2026): €300
02 APPLICATION PROCEDURE
The employer submits a duly completed application via e-mail, attaching all required documents according to the applicable checklist. The e-mail must be sent to sei.identita@gov.mt, with the applicant (third-country national) copied at all times.
Identità will request the applicant’s approval of the submitted documents and application. Once approval is received, the application is processed following the established procedures. An acknowledgment and guidance e-mail is sent to both the applicant and employer, including instructions on settling the application fee during the biometrics stage.
If any required documentation is missing, the application will not be processed. Should the missing documentation remain unsubmitted, the application will be rejected.
Upon completion of processing, both applicant and employer are informed of the outcome via e-mail:
Positive outcome: An Approval in Principle (AIP) letter is sent, detailing steps to finalize the Single Permit process.
Negative outcome: A refusal letter is issued to both applicant and employer.
Under the 2026 policy, first-time applicants must have completed the Pre-Departure Course, and where applicable (e.g., tourism, hospitality, or regulated roles), hold a Skills Pass. Compliance with these requirements is verified during processing.
Applicants whose applications are approved will be issued a residence permit, initially valid for one year. The permit may be renewed for longer periods (up to three years) provided the employee continues to meet eligibility criteria, including ongoing Pre-Departure and Skills Pass compliance, and holds a valid employment contract covering the full period of validity.
Applicable fees (2026):
First-time Single Permit: €600
Renewal: €150 per year
03 APPLICATIONS AND CHECKLISTS
Go to: Employment Related Permits / Highly Qualified Individuals / Specialist Employee Initiative
The EU Blue Card allows highly qualified workers from non-EU countries to live and work in an EU member state, provided they meet certain criteria. Eligible applicants must possess higher professional qualifications and have either a binding job offer or an employment contract that offers a salary higher than the national average in the EU country where they will be employed.
The EU Blue Card is currently applicable in 25 of the 27 EU countries; it does not apply in Denmark or Ireland.
For more information specific to Malta, including eligibility, application procedures, and required documentation, please refer to the following official resources:
Identità Malta – Highly Qualified Individuals & EU Blue Card: https://identita.gov.mt/expatriates-unit-main-page/noneu-nationals/employment-related-permits/highly-qualified-individuals/blue-card/
European Commission – EU Blue Card in Malta: https://immigration-portal.ec.europa.eu/eu-blue-card/malta_en
Under the 2026 policy, applicants are encouraged to ensure compliance with all residency, employment, and salary thresholds, as well as maintain valid documentation for the duration of their stay and employment in Malta.