Migration to Malta

Malta is a small European island that, despite its small territory, has a high income from tourism, especially in high season, which also generates multiple job vacancies in this field.

If your intention is to migrate to Malta, here are two good options:

• Enter – study – work.
• Enter – work.

Enter – study – work

This is the most recommended method for those who have the time and resources to pursue higher education in Malta as it makes the visa process much easier for them.

Students from the same country are more valued by local employers and immigration authorities, thus facilitating the process of transitioning from study to work.

The University of Malta, the American University of Malta and the STC University are just some of the options to which you can apply, bearing in mind that this type of visa is granted for a maximum of 1 year.

Requirements

Once you have been accepted by a university, the first thing you should do is go to Malta as a tourist to begin your studies, as you will later require a certificate of attendance, which is not usually issued until you have studied for at least 4 weeks.

In addition, you will require:

1. Receipt of payment for the total amount of your course.
2. Data protection document (if applicable).
3. Study visa application form.
4. Photocopy of complete passport.
5. Two passport-size photographs.
6. Medical insurance with coverage of at least €000 for your entire stay.
7. Round trip tickets.
8. Proof of sufficient economic livelihood for subsistence in the country, which may be:

• For yourself: Bank statements from your bank account showing the availability of at least €26 per day for your entire stay or €19 if you have paid for your residence in advance + receipt of a withdrawal from an ATM in Malta of at least €200 + photocopy of the credit or debit card with which the withdrawal was made.
• By sponsor: Bank statements of your account + receipt of a withdrawal from an ATM in Malta for a value not less than €200 + photocopy of the credit or debit card with which the withdrawal was made + certificate and bank statements of your sponsor + letter of commitment + identification document of the sponsor + transfer from the sponsor’s account to yours.

9. Lease agreement.

10. Income tax return form completed by the lessor.

11. Photocopy of the lessor’s identity document.

12. Invoice of payment of the corresponding fee.

Can I work while I study?

You can apply for a part-time work permit, which will allow you to work a maximum of 20 hours per week once you have completed your third month of study, upon request made by your employer.

Cost

The application fee for this visa is €70.

Work Search Visa

Once you have completed your higher education, you can apply for a work search visa, which allows you to stay in Malta for 9 months to look for a job to apply for a work visa.

Requirements

1. Passport valid for at least 18 months.
2. Proof of sufficient economic livelihood for subsistence in the country, which may be:

• For yourself: Bank statements from your account showing the availability of at least €750 per month for your entire stay + receipt of a withdrawal from an ATM in Malta + photocopy of the credit or debit card with which the withdrawal was made.
• By sponsor: Bank statements of your account + receipt of a withdrawal from an ATM in Malta + photocopy of the credit or debit card with which the withdrawal was made + certificate and bank statements of your sponsor + letter of commitment + identification document of the sponsor + transfer from the sponsor’s account to yours.

3. Proof of housing availability for at least 9 months.

4. Income tax return form completed by the lessor.

5. Medical insurance with coverage of at least €000 for your entire stay.

6. Degree diploma.

7. Attendance report.

8. Receipt of payment for the course.

9. Police record certificate.

10. Motivation letter.

11. Completed application form.

12. Receipt of payment of the corresponding fee.

Enter – work

If you do not have the time or money to pursue higher education in Malta, you can enter to look for a full-time job in the country. If you get a work contract before the end of the 90 days of tourism, you may apply for a work visa to stay by submitting the following documents to the Department of Citizenship and Expatriate Affairs:

1. Photocopy of complete passport.
2. Signed employment contract.
3. Motivation letter from the employer.
4. Completed employment form.
5. CV in European format.
6. References from former employers.
7. Medical insurance with coverage of at least €000 for your entire stay.
8. Two passport-size photographs.
9. Registered lease agreement.
10. Income tax return form completed by the lessor.
11. Photocopy of the lessor’s identity document.
12. Completed CEA FORM C (Non-EU) and FORM ID 14 forms.
13. Proof of payment of the corresponding fee.

Duration

The issuance of this visa can take up to 4 months.

Cost

280 for submission of the application.

Single Work Permit

If you don’t want to wait that long, you could apply for this permit, for which you can apply online and get an answer within 5 days.

Requirements

1. Be from a non-EU country.
2. Have a salary of at least €000 per year.
3. Certified photocopy of the documents showing the special qualifications or experience that make you suitable for the position.
4. Employer’s statement regarding your compliance with the profile for the position.
5. Proof that the employer previously offered the job to the Maltese, but none of them met the profile.

To be taken into account

• This permit only allows you to work with the employer with whom you applied for it.
• The online application does not confer any temporary status of regularity for having applied, so you must have a certain period of legality within the country.

Don’t know Maltese?

Don’t worry! English is one of the official languages of this country and, given its high influx of tourists, it is even more widely spoken than Maltese itself. Whether it’s study or work, it’s easy to find them in English.