Malta Work Visa: Application Guide and Requirements

Key Takeaways

• Starting April 17, 2025, Malta requires updated checklists for all Work Visa and Permit types, including Single Permit and EU Blue Card.
• Non-EU applicants need both a National Long-Stay Visa (‘D’ Visa) and an Employment-Related Residence Permit before starting work in Malta.
• Fast-track Key Employee Initiative offers approval in five days for high earners; each category has different processing times and fees.

Malta 🇲🇹 remains a top choice for people looking to work in Europe, thanks to its lively job market, great weather, and welcoming way of life. If you plan to work in Malta 🇲🇹 after April 17, 2025, you’ll need to know about the current rules for Malta Work Visa permits and related processes. This in-depth guide explains who needs a visa or permit, the types available—including the Single Permit and EU Blue Card—the steps, documents, and what to do if you run into problems.

Checklist: What You’ll Need for a Malta Work Visa

• Valid passport (at least two blank pages)
• Two passport-sized photos
• Completed visa or permit application form
• Cover letter explaining your work plans in Malta 🇲🇹
• Signed job contract (certified by a Maltese notary)
• Updated CV or resume (plus reference letters if possible)
• Proof of English skills (IELTS Level 3 if needed)
• Medical or travel insurance (minimum €30,000 coverage)
• Proof you can pay for your stay (bank statements, six months)
• Proof of accommodation in Malta 🇲🇹 (rental or hotel confirmation)
• Flight details or reservation
• Other category-specific documents (e.g., Labour Market Test result, Approval-in-Principle Letter)

Important: Always check the most recent checklist on the Identità website before you begin the application. Malta 🇲🇹 regularly updates requirements for each type.

Who Needs a Malta Work Visa or Permit?

Non-EU/EEA/Swiss Nationals

If you do not come from a European Union (EU), European Economic Area (EEA), or Switzerland 🇨🇭, you must have two things to work legally:

1. National Long-Stay Visa (“D” Visa): This visa lets you enter Malta 🇲🇹 for work.
2. Employment-Related Residence Permit: You need this before starting your job, and it links you to your employer. If you change jobs, you must tell Identità, Malta’s main migration office.

EU/EEA & Swiss Citizens

If you come from an EU country 🇪🇺, EEA, or Switzerland 🇨🇭:

• No visa or permit is needed just to come and work for up to 90 days.
• If you stay more than 90 days or want to keep working, you must register for an eResidence card within three months of arriving.

Types of Malta Work Permits and Visas

Malta 🇲🇹 offers different permits, depending on your background and job. As of April 2025, the main types are:

Note: Each category now has its own updated checklist—download the latest one before applying.

Understanding Important Options: Single Permit and EU Blue Card

The Single Permit

The Single Permit is the standard choice if you’re a non-EU national with a job offer in Malta 🇲🇹. It ties you to one employer and one job. Here’s a quick summary:

• You need a confirmed job offer.
• Your employer must first try to hire someone from Malta 🇲🇹 or the EU, shown with a Labour Market Test.
• It is valid for up to one year and can be renewed as long as you stay in your job and make regular tax payments.
• If you lose or leave your job, you must tell the authorities and return your residence card.

The EU Blue Card

The EU Blue Card is designed for people with a university degree or high level of experience, who are offered a good salary—at least 1.5 times the Maltese average gross wage.

• It allows you to work and live in Malta 🇲🇹 and makes it possible (after some time) to live in other EU countries under the same scheme.
• Processing time varies, so ask at the embassy or Identità for current estimates.
• Fee is usually €140.

The Application Process: Step By Step

1. Secure a Job Offer

Before you can start the Malta Work Visa process, you must have a written job offer (signed contract) from a Maltese employer.

2. Employer Requests Employment License

Your employer starts the permit process by applying for an employment license through the Jobsplus system. They must show they could not find a suitable person locally or within the EU.

3. Apply for a National Long-Stay (“D”) Visa

If you are outside Malta 🇲🇹, take your completed application, contract, and all required documents to the nearest Maltese embassy or consulate. You’ll use the checklist for your visa category, such as Single Permit or EU Blue Card.

Note: It’s important to use the updated checklist for your permit type every time you apply, as the government may change details.

4. Travel to Malta 🇲🇹 and Apply for Residence Card

Once your D visa is approved, travel to Malta 🇲🇹. Once you arrive, submit your application for a residence card. An interim receipt card may let you stay while your papers are being processed.

Warning: Do not leave Malta 🇲🇹 until you have your residence card—leaving may stop or delay your process.

5. Collect Your Residence Card

After your application is reviewed and approved, collect your residence card. This is proof you can live and work legally in Malta 🇲🇹.

Fast-Track Options: Key Employee Initiative (KEI)

The Key Employee Initiative lets companies bring in highly skilled workers quickly. If your job is in management, tech, or a start-up, and your salary is at least €30,000 a year, you may use this program:

• Application can be approved in only five working days (when documents are complete).
• The permit lasts up to one year and can be renewed two more times.

Seasonal Work Visa

If you’re coming for short-term work (like tourism, farming, or construction), you may want the Seasonal Work Visa option.

• You must have a job offer in an accepted sector.
• Usually valid for up to nine months in a year.
• People on this scheme cannot bring family members with them.

Processing Times and Fees: What to Expect

• Single Permit/EU Blue Card/D-Visa: Processing usually takes 2–3 months. D-visa decisions often come within 15 working days but can take longer at busy times—plan ahead!
• Key Employee Initiative: Usually processed within five business days if everything is ready.
• Seasonal Worker: Usually processed in a few weeks.

Common Fees (April 2025)

Note: Fees are not refunded if the application is rejected or withdrawn.

How Long Does My Work Permit Last? Can I Renew?

• Most permits, including the Single Permit and EU Blue Card, are valid for up to one year to start. You can renew if you are still working in the same job and have paid your taxes.
• Always renew early—if your permit expires and you haven’t renewed, you may not be able to stay or return to Malta 🇲🇹.
• If your job situation changes (loss of job, new employer), you must tell the authorities and return your residence card.
• After five years of living and working in Malta 🇲🇹, and if you meet tax and integration rules, you can apply for Long-Term Residence status—a step toward permanent residency.

Family Reunification: Can My Family Join Me?

If you have lived and worked in Malta 🇲🇹 for a full year, you may apply to bring your spouse (age 21 or older) and your minor children (biological, adopted, or stepchildren).

• You must provide papers showing you are related or have legal control of the children.
• Family members must usually apply for their own dependent visas before coming, unless special countries’ arrangements apply.
• This is not possible for Seasonal Worker Visa holders or fixed-term contracts under one year—family members cannot come under these schemes.

If Your Application Is Refused

Should your Malta Work Visa, Single Permit, or EU Blue Card application be rejected:

• You have 15 calendar days from when you are told to file an appeal with the Immigration Appeals Board.
• You must show new proof or address the reasons in your refusal notice.
• Strongly consider getting legal help, especially if you do not understand the refusal or have been rejected before.

[Analysis from VisaVerge.com suggests] that careful preparation, checking official documents closely, and acting quickly if you face a refusal will help you avoid most problems experienced by previous applicants.

Digital-First Changes: What’s New in 2025?

Since January 2025, Malta 🇲🇹 uses a more digital application system and updated checklists for every visa and permit category. These steps fight fraud and improve speed:

• Always use the newest checklist for your type—rules may change often, and mistakes mean delays or refusal.
• Employers must prove even more carefully that they cannot find someone locally before hiring a third-country national due to tighter rules and changes in Malta’s 🇲🇹 job market.

Best Tips for a Successful Malta Work Visa Application

• Start collecting required documents early; some, like reference letters or bank statements, may take time.
• Use the latest official checklist for your category every time you apply.
• Double-check your contract is properly signed and certified.
• If you don’t meet certain requirements or are missing papers, don’t submit your application—fix any problems first.
• Be honest in your application; giving false information can mean bans or even legal trouble.
• Plan your travel only after approval of your national visa and with a clear idea of your residence card appointment.
• Keep copies of everything you submit.
• If renewing, apply before the current permit expires.

Where to Get Official Help and Resources

• Find official forms, the most up-to-date checklists, and all rules on the Identità website.
• Embassies and authorized visa centers also provide help and have the latest information.

After You Arrive in Malta 🇲🇹

Once you receive your Malta Work Visa, Single Permit, or EU Blue Card, and your physical residence card, you can:

• Start working straight away in the job and for the employer on your permit.
• Open a bank account, rent a flat, access health care, and more.
• If your permit is about to expire, begin renewal early.
• If you want to change jobs, apply for permission first before starting new work.

Key Reminders

• Only work in the job and for the employer on your permit—changing without approval can mean your permit is canceled.
• Notify authorities right away about any changes.
• Family reunification is available after 12 months if you meet the rules, except for seasonal or very short-term workers.
• Appeals for rejections must happen within 15 days.

In Summary

Getting a Malta Work Visa or permit—whether the Single Permit, EU Blue Card, or specialized scheme—takes careful preparation. Non-EU citizens must have a job offer and go through both visa and permit steps. The digital system and regular updates mean you should always check for new forms and rules. Processing times are reasonable but planning ahead is smart, and fees are non-refundable. If you follow every step and rule closely, you will improve your chances of a successful move to Malta 🇲🇹 and joining the growing international workforce on the island.

For up-to-date forms, guides, and government advice, see the Identità official page.

With the right guidance and attention to detail, Malta 🇲🇹 could soon be your new home for work and adventure.

Learn Today

Single Permit → A residence and work permit for non-EU nationals, linking employment to a single Maltese employer for up to one year.
EU Blue Card → A high-skill European work permit allowing professionals with degrees and high salaries to live and work in Malta or the EU.
Labour Market Test → A process where employers prove no suitable local or EU worker is available before hiring non-EU applicants.
Key Employee Initiative (KEI) → Fast-track work permit for high-earning, skilled managers or tech workers, typically approved within five working days.
Identità → Malta’s main migration and identity agency, responsible for processing visas, permits, and official updates for foreign workers.

This Article in a Nutshell

Malta’s 2025 work visa system combines high demand and digital upgrades. Updated rules require applicants to check new official checklists for Single Permit and EU Blue Card. Preparation, honesty, and timely renewal are crucial. Fast-track options exist for skilled workers, but always apply early and review Identità guidelines before applying or traveling.
— By VisaVerge.com