Work permits and visas in Malta: An employer’s guide

If you are hiring a new employee or relocating a team member to Malta, you need to make sure they have the proper work permit and visa under local immigration laws. Your company also needs to stay on top of labor and tax laws for compliant HR.

In this article, Remote walks you through the visa and work permit process, eligibility, and requirements for hiring in Malta. 

See also: The complete employer's guide to hiring in Malta

Do non-citizens need a work visa or work permit in Malta?

For European Union, European Economic Area, and Swiss nationals, no visa or work permit is required to take up employment. However, anyone staying longer than three months must register their residence and obtain an eResidence document with Identità (formerly Identity Malta Agency).

Third-country nationals (TCNs) generally need both entry clearance (often a National Long-Stay Visa) and a work and residence authorization (e.g., Single Permit, EU Blue Card, KEI) which is evidenced by an eResidence card.

Short and long-stay visa types in Malta

Malta is part of the Schengen Area, which functions as a common travel and free-movement zone. In Malta, the Central Visa Unit (CVU) issues short-stay visas and long-stay visa types, as follows:

• Type C Schengen (Short-Stay) Visa: For visits up to 90 days in any 180-day period across the Schengen Area. Note that employment is not the purpose of a Type C visa.
  
  
• Type D National Long-Stay Visa: Malta’s CVU issues D visas for stays over 90 days (up to 365 days) tied to a national residence purpose (e.g., employment, study, family). Malta may also collect applications via Visa Application Centres in some countries.
  
  

If your purpose of a visa is employment and residence, the employer would likely continue under Malta’s national long-stay visa route with Identity Malta.

Types of work visas and work permits in Malta

In Malta, a visa is an entry authorization issued by Malta’s Central Visa Unit (CVU). A work and residence permit is the authorization to live and work in Malta. Here are the types of work permits in Malta:

Single Permit

Malta’s Single Permit is a combined authorization that lets a third-country national (TCN) reside and take up employment in Malta for a defined period over six months, with the option to renew.

Usually the employer submits the application when the third-country national is either still abroad (outside the Schengen area) or when legally staying in the Maltese territory or another Schengen state.

EU Blue Card

Malta’s EU Blue Card is a combined residence and work authorization for highly qualified employees. It lets a third-country national reside and take up employment in Malta for a standard period of two years.

Usually the employer submits the application online via Identità’s Single Permit portal. The applicant must hold a valid work contract or binding job offer for six months or more, meet Malta’s Blue Card salary threshold, and have medical insurance as specified by the European Commission.

Key Employee Initiative (KEI)

Malta’s Key Employee Initiative (KEI) is a fast-track route to the Single Permit for highly skilled third-country nationals. A KEI is issued for one year initially, then renewable for up to three years at a time if conditions are met.

Applicants need a managerial or highly technical job offer in Malta, a minimum annual gross salary of €45,000, and proof of experience. Employers need to submit proof of a job advert run for two weeks or more within the previous two months on a local platform.

Application process for a Single Permit in Malta

A Single Permit is for third-country nationals (TCNs) with a job offer from a Malta-registered employer. Typically the employer (a company registered in Malta) files online, and the TCN confirms the data via a link.

Here's how to get a Single Permit:

1. Confirm eligibility and job offer: Identità accepts applications when the TCN is abroad or legally in Malta or another Schengen state on a valid visa or residence permit. Employers should be properly registered with Jobsplus for employment in Malta’s labor market.
   
   
2. Submit online application and documents: File via the Single Permit Online Portal and upload documents per the official Identità checklists (e.g., passport, employment contract, accommodation, medical/health screening where applicable).
   
   
3. Pay fees: Final submission occurs once fees are paid: €600 initial application, €150/year renewal.
   
   
4. Processing time: Malta allows up to four months by law. Identità often indicates an average of under two months when files are complete. Applicants and employers can track their status online.
   
   
5. Approval in Principle (AIP) and entry visa (if needed): After due diligence, Identità issues an AIP. Visa-required nationals then apply for a Type D visa at a Maltese mission or CVU, normally within the AIP validity window.
   
   
6. Biometrics and interim authorization: Book biometrics via Identità’s booking system and present originals of required documents. Identità issues an Interim Receipt with a Temporary Authorisation to Work (TAW) so the TCN can start work while waiting for their card.
   
   
7. Residence card collection: Identità posts a collection letter to the address on file; the worker collects the eResidence card.

Application process for an EU Blue card in Malta

Malta’s EU Blue Card is a combined residence and work authorization for highly qualified non-EU hires. Here's how to get one:

1. Check role and candidate eligibility Prepare (a) employment  contract or job offer for six months or longer; (b) higher professional qualifications; (c) salary higher than threshold; (d) sickness insurance of €100,000 or higher; and (e) evidence for any labor market steps.
   
   
2. Prepare the Blue Card document pack Use Identità’s Blue Card checklist (e.g., application form, passport validity, employment contract with wage and duration, CV and position description, job advert evidence where required, proof of accommodation and lease, health screening, health insurance). 
   
   
3. File online: Employer submits application via Identità’s Single Permit platform under the Blue Card track.
   
   
4. Submit fees and documents: Pay the applicable fees and ensure all checklist items are uploaded before final submission.
   
   
5. Processing time: Under EU rules, the maximum processing time is 90 days. Positive files receive an Approval in Principle (AIP).
   
   
6. If a visa is required: Use the AIP to apply for a D visa.
   
   
7. Biometrics and Interim Receipt: Book biometrics and present original documents. Identità issues an Interim Receipt with Temporary Authorisation to Work so your hire can start work while the card is produced.
   
   
8. eResidence card collection Card is collected after a collection notice.

Application process for Key Employee Initiative (KEI) 

A Key Employee Initiative (KEI) is Malta’s fast-track route to the Single Permit for highly skilled hires. Here's how to get one:

1. Confirm KEI eligibility: Role must be managerial or highly technical, with relevant qualifications and experience. Employers need to publish a job advert for two weeks or more in the previous two months on a local media platform (labor market step). 
   
   
2. Prepare the KEI document pack: Follow Identità’s KEI checklists and Employment Application Checklists hub. 
   
   
3. Submit online (employer only): Apply via the Single Permit Online Portal.
   
   
4. Processing and AIP (fast-track) Expect five working days from complete submission.  A positive decision leads to an AIP with instructions for biometrics. 
   
   
5. If visa-required: Type D visa AIP holders who need entry clearance apply for a National Long-Stay (Type D) Visa with CVU within the AIP validity window.
   
   
6. Biometrics and Interim Receipt: After biometrics and original document checks, Identità issues an Interim Receipt with Temporary Authorisation to Work so your new hire may start work while the Residence Card is produced.
   
   
7. Residence card (eResidence) collection Collection notice with PIN is posted to the address on file.

Digital nomad visas in Malta (Nomad Residence Permit)

Malta’s Nomad Residence Permit lets eligible third-country nationals (TCNs) live in Malta while working remotely for an employer or clients outside Malta. The permit is valid for one year and renewable up to a maximum of four years.

Applicants must fit one of three categories: employed (foreign employer), self-employed (company registered abroad), or freelance (clients with permanent establishments abroad). Note that persons providing services to Malta-based companies or to a Maltese subsidiary of a foreign company are ineligible for a digital nomad visa.

The minimum gross yearly income for a Nomad Residence Permit is €42,000. While the permit is valid, holders may travel within the Schengen Area for up to 90 days within any 180-day period.

The program does not lead to permanent residence or citizenship, and individuals cannot hold the Nomad Permit together with another Maltese residence status.