Malta
General visa requirements for travelling to Malta. These policies apply to all nationalities unless a country-specific policy exists.
Have a specific passport country? Check your specific route.
Work / Immigration visa (Key Employee Initiative (KEI) - Fast Track)
Applies to all nationalities · Last updated: 25 June 2026
Embassy required
- Maximum stay
- 365 days
- Processing time
- 5 working days (fast-track)
- Fee
- EUR 600 (initial application)
- Validity
- 1 year initially, renewable for up to 3 years at a time
- Entry
- Multiple entry
The Key Employee Initiative (KEI) is Malta's fast-track work permit option for highly skilled professionals. Processing takes only 5 working days. Applicants must have a managerial or highly technical position with a minimum annual gross salary of EUR 45,000 and proof of relevant experience. Initially valid for 1 year, renewable for up to 3 years at a time.
Eligibility
-
Nationality
Third-country nationals (non-EU/EEA/Swiss).
-
Employment
Must have a job offer for a managerial or highly technical role. Minimum annual gross salary of EUR 45,000. Must demonstrate proof of relevant experience.
Required status: Managerial or highly technical role with EUR 45,000+ salary
-
Criminal record
Must have a clean criminal record.
Documents you need
-
Passport
Blank pages required: 2; Validity months: 6
-
Accommodation proof
Provide hotel booking, tenancy evidence or host details that cover the planned stay.
Accepted types: Proof of accommodation in Malta; Must cover full stay: No
-
Police clearance
Validity months: 0
-
Visa fee payment
Accepted methods: ["bank_transfer", "card"]; Amount: EUR 600
-
Curriculum vitae
Provide a current CV showing education, work history and relevant qualifications.
-
Work contract
Provide a signed job offer, contract or assignment letter showing the role, dates and employer.
Must be notarized: No; Must be translated: No
How to apply
-
Document gathering
Gather passport, employment contract meeting KEI salary threshold, CV, criminal record certificate, health insurance, and accommodation proof.
-
Online application
Employer submits KEI application via the Identità online portal with all supporting documents.
-
Fee payment
Pay the application fee of EUR 600.
-
Processing wait
Fast-track processing of 5 working days.
-
Visa collection
Once approved, obtain D visa if required and enter Malta. Collect residence card from Identità after biometrics.
Work / Immigration visa (Specialist Employee Initiative (SEI) - Fast Track)
Applies to all nationalities · Last updated: 25 June 2026
Embassy required
- Maximum stay
- 365 days
- Processing time
- 15 working days (fast-track)
- Fee
- EUR 600 (initial application)
- Validity
- 1 year, renewable
- Entry
- Multiple entry
The Specialist Employee Initiative (SEI) is Malta's secondary fast-track option for specialist employees. Processing takes 15 working days. Available for specialized technical roles that do not meet the KEI salary threshold but require specific expertise.
Eligibility
-
Nationality
Third-country nationals (non-EU/EEA/Swiss).
-
Employment
Must have a job offer for a specialist technical role from a Maltese employer. Must demonstrate relevant specialist expertise.
Required status: Specialist technical role
Documents you need
-
Passport
Blank pages required: 2; Validity months: 6
-
Police clearance
Validity months: 0
-
Visa fee payment
Accepted methods: ["bank_transfer", "card"]; Amount: EUR 600
-
Curriculum vitae
Provide a current CV showing education, work history and relevant qualifications.
-
Work contract
Provide a signed job offer, contract or assignment letter showing the role, dates and employer.
Must be notarized: No; Must be translated: No
How to apply
-
Document gathering
Gather passport, employment contract, CV, criminal record certificate, health insurance, and accommodation proof.
-
Online application
Employer submits SEI application via the Identità online portal.
-
Fee payment
Pay the application fee of EUR 600.
-
Processing wait
Fast-track processing of 15 working days.
-
Visa collection
Once approved, obtain D visa if required and enter Malta. Collect residence card from Identità.
Work / Immigration visa (Single Permit - Employment (Standard))
Applies to all nationalities · Last updated: 25 June 2026
Embassy required
- Maximum stay
- 365 days
- Processing time
- Up to 4 months by law; average under 2 months when files are complete
- Fee
- EUR 600 (initial application), EUR 150/year (renewal)
- Validity
- 1 year, renewable. After 5 years of legal stay, may apply for long-term residence permit.
- Entry
- Multiple entry
Malta's primary work permit for third-country nationals, regulated by Subsidiary Legislation 217.17 and managed by Identità (Expatriates Unit). The Single Permit combines residence and work authorization into one application. Employer-sponsored, requiring a valid job offer. The permit is tied to the specific employer; changing jobs requires updating the permit. EU/EEA and Swiss nationals can work without a permit for 90 days; for longer employment they must register for a residence permit. Family members must apply separately for their own Single Permit to work. After 5 years of continuous legal stay, long-term residence with broader EU mobility may be granted.
Eligibility
-
Nationality
All third-country nationals (non-EU/EEA/Swiss) with a confirmed job offer from a Maltese employer.
-
Employment
Must have a confirmed job offer from a registered Maltese employer. Employer must be registered with Jobsplus. Qualifications must match the job requirements.
Required status: Confirmed job offer from registered Maltese employer
-
Financial
Must demonstrate financial stability until first salary. Employer provides employment contract with salary details.
-
Criminal record
Must have a clean criminal record.
-
Health
Must have valid health insurance coverage.
Documents you need
-
Passport
Blank pages required: 2; Validity months: 6
-
Photo
Count: 1; Specifications: 35x45mm, ICAO compliant
-
Accommodation proof
Provide hotel booking, tenancy evidence or host details that cover the planned stay.
Accepted types: Rental agreement, hotel reservation, or letter of invitation; Must cover full stay: No
-
Police clearance
Validity months: 0
-
Visa fee payment
Accepted methods: ["bank_transfer", "card"]; Amount: EUR 600
-
Curriculum vitae
Provide a current CV showing education, work history and relevant qualifications.
-
Work contract
Provide a signed job offer, contract or assignment letter showing the role, dates and employer.
Must be notarized: No; Must be translated: No
How to apply
-
Document gathering
Secure a job offer from a registered Maltese employer. Gather passport, photos, employment contract, CV with references, criminal record certificate, health insurance, accommodation proof, and financial proof.
-
Online application
Employer files via the Single Permit Online Portal at Identità and uploads all documents per the official checklists.
-
Fee payment
Pay the application fee of EUR 600 upon final submission.
-
Processing wait
Identità conducts due diligence. Processing can take up to 4 months by law, average under 2 months for complete files. An Approval in Principle (AIP) is issued upon passing checks.
-
Visa collection
Once approved, the employee receives an approval letter and, if required, a national D visa to enter Malta. Apply at the Maltese embassy/consulate with the AIP letter.
-
Biometrics
On arrival in Malta, finalize biometrics and collect the residence card from Identità.