Work Permit in Malta

Malta is one of the smallest island countries lying in the Mediterranean Sea; it welcomes workers due to its economic boom and membership into the European Union. The people who plan to work on the island must have a work permit because Malta has its rules and regulations for non-European citizens.

Types of work permits

There are several types of working permits in Malta, such as:

• A single-entry work permit, which is issued for a period of up to one year and renewable.
• European Blue Card for highly qualified workers offering a host of advantages including the possibility to live and work in any other EU State after some time has elapsed.

Application process

The process of obtaining a work permit starts with a job offer from a Maltese employer. The employer must prove that he/she has not been able to find a suitable candidate among Maltese and EU citizens. After that it is possible to apply for a work visa, which is the basis for entry into the country.

Required documents

To apply for a work visa, you are required to:

• Completed questionnaire;
• A passport valid for at least three months after the expiry date of the requested visa;
• Passport size photograph;
• Contract of employment from a Maltese employer;
• Proof of accommodation in Malta;
• Health Insurance.

Consideration of the application

Depending on the workload of the authority, the processing of the work permit application may take a few weeks up to several months. It is essential that everything is submitted correctly and in full to avoid any delays.

After authorisation

Having been issued the work permit, the foreign worker must also be registered with the local social security office and with the tax office. Attention should be drawn to the fact that the work permit shall be reissued in accordance with the terms of the employment contract.

Features of Malta labour legislation

Maltese labour laws protect the rights of all workers, including foreigners. It is important to know your rights and responsibilities, including working hours, holidays, and terms of dismissal.

What is a Malta work visa?

Malta offers a number of unmatched opportunities to foreign workers willing to practice their profession on the island as a member state of the European Union. A Malta work visa is a document that allows the entry of third-country nationals in Malta and creates an opportunity for their lawful employment for a specified period.

How to apply for the Malta work visa in 2024?

Malta is a country that offers many opportunities to foreign professionals; getting a work visa in this island nation of the Mediterranean Sea involves an exact following of set rules and guidelines. Below, the steps and documents one should take in the year 2024 for a successful application are outlined.

Confirmation of employment

First and obligatory: the job offer from a Maltese employer, which should confirm that foreign labour is necessary in case of inability to find a local resource to cover the vacancy.

Preparation of documents

For the application for a work visa, you will need to have the following documents prepared:

• A valid passport with a validity period of at least 3 months longer than the intended stay;
• Application form, completed and signed.
• Colour passport size photographs.
• An employment contract signed by the employer and the employee.
• Confirmation of accommodation in Malta.
• Proof of sufficient funds for living expenses.
• Medical insurance for the whole period of stay.
• Certificate of absence of a criminal record.

Submitting an application

The application for a work visa is made in person by the applicant at the Maltese Consulate or Embassy in his/her country of residence or through an Accredited Visa Agency. It is relevant to explain here that in certain cases a preliminary interview may be required.

Processing the Application

Depending on the situation and workload of the migration service, the application may drag on for many weeks or even months. Therefore, it is recommended to submit documents in advance.

Entry into Malta and registration

Having obtained your visa and arriving in Malta, within a short time you also have to register with the local migration office for the residence permit – the final document that gives the permission to work and reside in the country.

How can I get a Malta work visa and permit?

Malta’s economic growth and geographical location in the heart of the Mediterranean are largely contributing factors to many foreign professionals’ desire to practice in Malta. The prerequisite for working in Malta is that the appropriate work visa and work permit must be issued, for which preparation and compliance with local legislation are required.

Requirements to obtain a work visa

On the other hand, the foreign national is expected to have a job offer from a Maltese employer before applying for a work visa. This should, in turn, be confirmed to be impossible to find a suitable candidate among the Maltese and European Union nationals.

Documents required

In order to apply for a work visa, you should gather the following set of documents:

• Completed visa application form;
• A valid passport;
• Photographs that correspond to the requirements of visa documents;
• Proof of a job offer;
• Proof of sufficient funds to cover living expenses;
• Proof of health insurance for the duration of one’s stay;
• A police conduct certificate showing no criminal record.

Application process

An application for a work visa is to be submitted to a Maltese consulate or embassy in the country where the applicant resides. In some cases, the process may involve a preliminary interview or additional checks.

Obtaining a work permit

Once you land in Malta, you apply for a work permit based on your work visa. This is the key document needed for legal employment. Work permits are issued in respect of a contract of employment and may be issued for a fixed period of time, after which it must be renewed.

Specifics of the Malta process

Malta manages employment for foreign nationals with its specific features, including strict requirements regarding proof of qualifications and professional experience. Tax aspects and resultant obligations also form part of working in Malta.

What documents are required for the Malta work visa application?

A foreign professional should prepare a full and complete set of documents for a successful Malta work visa application. Preparation must be done with much care and accuracy since any deficiencies may lead to the application of a visa being delayed or denied. Below are some of the main documents for applying for a Malta work visa. Please refer to,

Where and when can you apply for a Malta work visa?

Malta, being part of the European Union, is hiring a number of foreigners with its economic boom and good business climate. To legally work in Malta, a foreigner has to apply for a work visa. Understand where and when to apply for this visa to smoothly and promptly go through the process.

Where to Apply for a Work Visa

Malta Embassy or Consulate in your home country. The work visa application has to be submitted in person to a Maltese diplomatic mission.

Visa Application Centres authorised by the Government of Malta. In some countries, Malta does not have its own embassy or consulate, but you can contact a visa centre that acts on behalf of Malta.

When to apply for a work visa

Three months prior to the intended date of commencement of employment: It is desirable that an application is submitted at least three months prior to your intended date of commencement of employment in Malta. This is because it takes quite some time for the application process and the issuing of the visa.

Avoiding peak periods: Application should not be made during peak migration periods, like summer months or major holidays, because consulates are overloaded at that time of the year.

Application process

• Preliminary interview – if called for by the embassy. In some cases, one is required to go for a preliminary interview before submitting the main package of documents.
• Full package preparation, including the employment contract, proof of financial independence, health insurance, and other certificates.
• Application submission to the selected consulate or visa centre.

For how long is the Malta work visa valid?

Understanding the work visa’s validity period is important for planning foreign specialists’ work in Malta. Maltese immigration legislation provides for several types of work visas to be issued – each with specific particularities and terms of validity.

Main types of work visas in Malta

• A short-term work visa is for temporary work contracts and is usually issued for a period of up to one year.
• A long-term work visa is issued for a longer period, usually one to three years, depending on the terms of the employment contract and on the nature of the work.
• The European Blue Card is for highly qualified professionals, and it is issued for up to two consecutive years with renewal possibilities.

Work visa renewal

If the foreign employee applies for an extension of the work visa after the expiration of the initial period of validity, he or she needs to prove the further employment relationship with the Maltese employer and compliance with migration legislation during the previous stay.

Conditions for termination of a visa

End of the employment contract either by completion or termination;

Violation of the conditions of the visa or the laws of the country;

Denial of the extension of a visa by migration authorities on the grounds of insufficient work or failing to adhere to migration rules.

Can foreigners work in Malta?

Being a member of the European Union, Malta attracts several foreign professionals due to its advanced economic and social structure. Although Malta opens up its doors to foreign workers, it does this under strict rules and procedures that protect the rights of both the local and foreign workers.

Types of work visas in Malta

Malta is a dynamic economy, part of the European Union, which offers various types of work visas to foreign professionals. Each category addresses specific needs and involves specific requirements. We will take a closer look now at the main types of work visas available in Malta.

General Employment Permit

This type of visa shall be utilized in cases of foreign staff employed by Maltese entities on an across-the-board basis. This type of visa is issued only in conjunction with a contract of employment with a Malta entity. The visa is usually granted for a period of up to one year, renewable upon continued employment with applicant.

Visa for highly qualified specialists

The following type is for highly qualified third-country nationals holding important positions within Maltese companies. This visa allows fast processing and the possibility of a residence permit to be provided within a few weeks. Its validity is also for a year, renewable.

EU Blue Card (EU Blue Card)

The European Blue Card is for highly qualified non-EU citizens and allows them to work and reside anywhere within the European Union. The conditions for a Blue Card are higher education or significant professional experience and a labor contract for a high salary level. It is valid for two years and is extendable.

Seasonal Employment Permit (Seasonal Work Permit)

It targets foreigners who come to Malta to execute seasonal work in very specific sectors, such as agriculture or tourism. The period of validity will be from six months up to one year but is always non-extendable.

Startup Visa (Visa de Emprendedor)

Malta has provided special conditions for a foreign entrepreneur willing to start up a company in Malta. A startup visa is issued based on a business plan that undergoes the process of evaluation for its novelty or contribution that this business will bring to the Maltese economy. This visa is issued for up to one year with the possibility of prolongation upon successful development of the business.

Malta work permit requirements

Malta is considered a developed economy, and being an EU member state, it calls for the interest of many foreign professionals who want to work and reside in Malta. To legally work in Malta, foreigners need to apply for a work permit. The process is controlled by a quite strict legal framework. This article focuses on basic requirements to be met for the successful awarding of a work permit in Malta.

Obtaining a work permit in Malta is an involved process requiring much time in preparation and strict compliance with migration laws. It will give foreign professionals the possibility to grow and develop their careers in the stable European economy. We strongly recommend that all candidates prepare in detail for such a procedure and, if necessary, seek relevant professional assistance in immigration from agents of Regulated United Europe.