About Malta

Malta is one of the most densely populated countries in the world, with 423,000 souls packed into an area one-tenth the size of Rhode Island and one-fifth the size of Greater London. Most live on the congested island of Malta, with a few more spread onto the calmer Gozo, and the rest — all three of them — on Comino. But there’s still space for visitors: Tourism took off in the early 1960s and now accounts for 12% of Malta’s GDP. Its photogenic, ancient cities (the capital, Valletta, is a UNESCO Cultural Heritage Site) and turquoise lagoons and beaches keep travelers coming.

Duration Of Process

It takes approx 3 to 4 months for the whole process.

Available Jobs In Malta

Construction Jobs

Farming

Tailoring jobs

Factory Workers

Driver

Hospitality

House Keeping Workers

What kind of work permit do you need to work in Malta?

Since 2014, all TCNs are required to go through the single permit procedure to be authorised to work and reside in Malta. The single permit procedure involves the submission of a Single Permit Application, which must include, amongst other documents:

  • a copy of a valid employment contract
  • a private medical insurance cover for 12 months
  • a position description signed by the employer
  • a covering letter from the prospective employer
  • a signed CV accompanied by references showing work experience covering at least a 3-year period
    These need to be submitted to Identity Malta. If the applicant does not have adequate work experience
    but is suitably qualified, the applicant must first obtain local MQRIC equivalence of the qualifications
    before the application is submitted.

The objective of the Single Permit Application, if successful, is the issue of a single document, which is commonly referred to as the e-residence card, which grants TCNs the authorization to both live and work in Malta. When submitting an application to Identity Malta, the applicant should ensure that s/he has a valid visa to be in Malta.

The application is normally processed in approximately two to three months. If successful, the residence card is valid for one year. Each residence card is tied to the employer whose contract of employment was included in the application process. Thus, the card would cease to be valid if the applicant no longer remains in employment with that particular employer. Single permit applications may also be submitted to Identity Malta by the employer on behalf of applicants who are still abroad. In such cases, once the application is approved, a document authorising the applicant to come to Malta and work is received by the employer. At this stage, applicants requiring a visa to come to Malta can use the authorisation document to obtain a visa and once they are in Malta they can complete the single permit process.

How do you get a work permit in Malta?

The process for obtaining single permits is long and takes time to be resolved. Employers have to prove, barring few exceptions, that they have tried to fill the vacancies with persons from Malta or EU/EFTA countries, before submitting an application for a prospective TCN employee. Each application must be accompanied by copies of vacancy adverts and a covering letter from the Employer who is required to state a reason for employing the TCN applicant. There are exceptions if the vacancies are for applicants in the areas mentioned below:

The Maltese e-Residence Card

  • Health Related Professionals (Personal Care Workers, Chemists, Doctors, Nurses, Veterinarians)

  • Technical & Building Professionals (Architects and Civil Engineers, Engineers (Electronics), Geologists, Geophysicists, Engineers in aviation maintenance)

  • IT and Gaming Professionals (Computer network professionals, Computer Programmers, IT Consultants, Computer Hardware & Software Engineers, Systems analysts, Gaming Developers, Games Presenters, Product Owners, Site Developers, Search Marketers, Tech Developers)

  • Finance and Education Professionals (Accountants, Auditors, Tax Related Professionals, University and higher education teachers/lecturers)

  • Culture and entertainment industry

For regulated professions, approval from the respective Regulatory Body needs to be submitted with the application, indicating that the TCN is authorized to practice the said profession.

Private health insurance cover (hospital plan) is one of the requirements for an employment licence. This is usually taken out by the employer to cover the full duration of employment. The copy of the premium paid is required to be submitted with the single permit application. Such health insurance cover is not required for TCNs working in the public service or for home-based carers of elderly persons or persons with disability. Private health insurance cover is not required for renewal applications.

How do you renew a work permit in Malta?

Single permits can be renewed by submitting a renewal single permit application, which must be accompanied by documentation certifying that income tax and national insurance contributions have been duly paid for the previous 12 months. Other documentation needs to be submitted also (namely Form C, rental declaration form, copy of lease agreement, copy of valid passport). The same fee of €280.50 is levied once more. Renewal applications must be submitted at least one month prior to the expiry of the current permit as processing of such applications takes around 4-6 weeks. If the applicant submits the application early enough, s/he can hold on to the current valid e-residence card, which is then exchanged when the new e-residence card is issued. However, if the permit holder applying for a renewal applies at a very late stage, the e-residence card would be collected at time of application and the applicant would be issued with an interim authorisation to reside and work in Malta. This document confirms that a renewal application has been submitted, and covers the applicant to keep on working.

THE KEY EMPLOYEE INITIATIVE

The KEI is a newly-launched scheme by Identity Malta that provides a fast-track service to highly-specialized TCNs who wish to work in Malta. The scheme facilitates the issuing of single permits to prospective key employees within five working days from the date of submission of the application. Applications for a single permit under the KEI are open to managerial or highly-technical posts which require the relevant qualifications or adequate experience related to the job being offered. Applicants need to satisfy the criteria below:

  • annual gross salary of at least €30,000;
  • certified copies of the relevant qualifications, warrants OR the necessary work experience supported by references covering at least a 3-year period;
  • declaration by the employer stating that the TCN has the necessary credentials to perform the assigned duties.

The KEI is also extended to innovators involved in start-up projects which are specifically endorsed by Malta Enterprise. Applications are submitted in the same manner as other single permit applications, namely when the applicant is physically in Malta or still abroad. Approved applications will be issued with a permit valid for one year and which, if renewed, may then have a validity of maximum three years, subject to the presentation of a valid employment contract, and the original annual tax declaration form stamped by the Inland Revenue Department.

THE EU BLUE CARD

The EU Blue Card offers a one-track procedure for highly-skilled non-EU citizens to apply for a work permit which will be valid for at least one year, but may be renewed thereafter. These applications will be treated favourably, but certain conditions – including proof that the job in question requires highly-qualified individuals and that it involves the payment of at least 1.5 times the average annual gross salary paid in Malta – have to be met. It is also essential to note that an EU Blue Card is not withdrawn if the person falls out of employment, unless it occurs more than once or the unemployment period exceeds three consecutive months during the period of validity of the card.

The Maltese e-Residence Card

When an individual applies for a work permit in Malta and has been approved accordingly, they are automatically granted with an e-residence card. If the applicant is married, the e-residence card will also be extended to their spouse, however does not approve or entitle the spouse to automatically work in Malta or qualify for a work permit/employment license.

Any EU/EEA/Swiss citizen has the right to enter, remain and reside in Malta. When an individual intends to reside in Malta for a period longer than three (3) months, he is obliged to apply for an e-Residence card and this also applies to non-EU/EEA/Swiss citizens.

The requirements of the e-Residence application mostly depend on the individual’s nationality, his residence status and the underlying reason for being in Malta.

An e-Residence card may also be issued to third-country nationals who are staying legally in Malta and who have been authorised to reside here for a specific purpose. This purpose may be one of the following, amongst others:

  • Employment
  • Self-employment
  • Economic self-sufficiency
  • Retirement
  • Study
  • Long-term residence

  • Work Permit (Type A) – This permit is required for foreign individuals who work for a EU employer.

  • Work Permit (Type C or E) – This permit is available for those sent to work in EU through an intra-company transfer.

  • Business visa (Schengen Visa C or D)

  • Freelance/entrepreneur visa

    Each type of work permit has its own requirements. Remember that employees will need both a valid visa or residence permit and a work permit.

Documents needed:

Information on documents needed may be found on the official immigration website of Malta.

In case of an ETC employment license, your Employer would need the following documents:

  • A copy of your passport certified by relevant authorities
  • Completed application form
  • Passport size photos
  • Qualification and work experience documents
  • Updated CV

Family Re-union to Malta

You may apply for a family reunification visa after completing a year of stay in Malta.

This would include your spouse and dependent children.

You would be required to provide evidence of suitable accommodation and sufficient income to support the family. You would also be able to provide evidence of funds to support your whole family.

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