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

Whether you’re hiring an employee or relocating a team member to Malta, they must have the right documentation to live and work there legally. Companies should assist their employees with getting the necessary permits and visas for their immigration. 

The process of acquiring the correct paperwork is not easy. You must understand local laws on managing taxation, employing local labor, and acquiring Malta work permits. You’ll also have to make sure that you’re hiring, paying, and managing workers in compliance with employment legislation.

If you intend to hire in Malta but don’t have your own entity in the country, your best option would be to work with an employer of record (EOR) like Remote, who can legally hire on your behalf. With Remote, hiring abroad and globally expanding can be a breeze.

In this article, we’ll take you through the work permit and visa processes, eligibility, and other requirements for hiring in Malta. We’ll also briefly touch upon how you can use Remote to make international hiring quick, compliant, and simple.

Ready to dive in? Let’s go. 

The importance of immigration compliance in Malta

With the rise of remote work, many countries are enforcing stringent laws to make sure digital nomads don’t get away with working long-term on a tourist visa.

Working with the correct visa or permit in Malta can be risky for your company and employees. Employing individuals on tourist visas attracts fines, penalties, and sometimes, detention. Meanwhile, the employee may face deportation and a ban from reentering the country.

Who is eligible to work in Malta?

Maltese citizens and permanent residents do not require a permit to work in the country. 

Individuals migrating to Malta temporarily (less than a year) require legal authorization to earn in the country. Usually, this authorization comes in the form of a work visa, work permit, or residence permit. 

The immigration process involved in international hiring can be challenging for employers. Remote can help you navigate it stress-free by handling the legal requirements of securing eligibility checks for your employees.

Our expert mobility team conducts an internal eligibility check, ensuring the validity of the work permit once your employee inputs their correct personal data into our platform. Even if the work permit is invalid or outdated, Remote will provide swift expert support to set up the necessary documents and permits in no time.

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

Non-citizens wanting to live and earn in Malta may need to have a work visa, work permit, and residence permit depending on the individual's nationality. EU nationals do not need a work permit or visa to live and work in Malta for up to 90 days.

Non-EU nationals must have a work visa, work permit, and e-residence card to work and earn in Malta.

A work visa allows non-EU nationals to enter Malta for the sake of working for an establishment. This visa is usually valid for a year and is renewable. Although the Malta work visa makes the foreigner a legal alien, they must also have a work permit.

Note that a work permit allows you to work only for the company that hired you before migrating to Malta. Thus, with a work permit, you cannot look for jobs elsewhere apart from your current employer.

How is the Schengen Visa applicable?

Foreigners can also enter the country with a short-stay Schengen visa. A Schengen visa enables you to stay in Malta for three months. Individuals cannot work or do business legally with this visa (unless they are EU citizens, in which case they can work for up to three months). 

How is the European Union Blue Card applicable?

Applicants can work in Malta using the EU Blue Card in Malta. To be eligible, applicants must have an ongoing employment contract for at least one year. The other criteria are listed on the EU Immigration portal. 

The Blue Card is valid for one year and is renewable. When assessing their application, the committee considers applicants' skills, qualifications, and experience levels. 

What are the eligibility requirements for a work visa in Malta?

Anyone willing to work in Malta must meet certain criteria required for a Maltese work visa.

These requirements cover their eligibility to stay in the country short term or long term and work during their stay.

• Personal identity travel documents. To migrate to Malta, foreigners must provide documents for identification. They include a passport-size photograph (3.5cm by 4.5cm) and an international passport with at least three more pages. The international passport must be valid for at least three months after the intended return date.

• Travel medical insurance. It covers all Schengen countries. This insurance must be able to cover risks up to EUR 30,000 on accidents, and illnesses, among others.

• Invitation letter from the employer. This letter will define the applicant's role at the company and their duties. It must bear the signature of a company representative with their full name.

• Updated resume. For work visas, applicants must provide a resume that proves they have the qualifications their employer seeks.

• Account statement. This is to prove that the applicant has sufficient funds to cover their expenses during their stay in Malta.

• Employment contract. Before migrating to Malta, employers must sign and forward the employment agreement to the applicant. They will present this before gaining access to the country and permission to work.

Fulfilling these requirements does not automatically grant the applicant a Malta work visa. The High Commission of Malta makes the final decision.

That's why working with Remote is the best way to employ workers in Malta. Remote simplifies this process by assisting your employee with the Malta work visa requirements or helping you hire skilled Maltese residents.  

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What are the long-stay visa types in Malta?

In Malta, the type D visa (national visa) is a long-stay visa for foreigners wanting to live and earn in the country.

Holders can stay in the country for up to a year (365 days). While in the country, foreigners can extend their stay by applying for a residence permit. Here are the long-stay visa types available:

• Family visa. This visa is suitable for reuniting with spouses, children, and other extended family members. Having a family visa can enable you to get a residence permit to stay longer with your family.

• Study visa. The study visa permits you to stay in Malta for a year for academic purposes. Although initially one year, students can continue extending it until they complete their studies. 

• Work visa. A work visa allows you to earn in Malta for an extended period. It is also renewable. It's advisable to apply for this visa only when you have confirmed your employment status. 

• Investment visa. This visa is suitable for individuals who like acquiring global assets. It is for individuals who can invest handsomely in the country's economy. Not only can the applicant or investor gain a residence permit in Malta, but they can also get citizenship as a result.   

How do you get a work visa for Malta?

First, you must consolidate the required documentation for your travel. The documentation requirements for a work visa in Malta include the following:

• A valid international passport

• Medical insurance

• Passport-size photo

• Visa application form

• Proof of residence

• Bank statement

• Employment contract

• Admission or acceptance letter

• Invitation letter

Where do you apply for a work visa in Malta?

There are various options for applying for a Maltese visa. You can apply via any of the following organizations:

• The closest Maltese embassy to your location

• A Maltese visa processing center

• A Maltese consulate

• The consulate of a Schengen country

What is the average processing time for a work visa in Malta?

Visa processing may take between 15 and 30 days. However, there are rare occasions where this process can take up to 60 days. You can avoid this by working with an expert global hr platform like Remote.

Remote can help your employees with crucial information and around-the-clock assistance during their work visa processing. With our assistance, your remote team can complete their immigration to Malta in no time.

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What are the visa requirements for digital nomads in Malta?

The government provides an incentive for working remotely in Malta: the nomad residence permit. This permit functions similarly to the typical nomad visas in other European countries.

The nomad residency permit enables remote workers from other countries to live and work in Malta for their current employers. Remote workers can only get this permit when they arrive in Malta. Thus, securing a visa is essential.

Malta maintains a double taxation treaty with multiple nations to ease the financial burden on nomads. The tax treaty helps remote workers avoid paying double taxes. Before securing the nomad residence permit, individuals must get a visa to migrate to Malta. These visa types only apply to non-EU nationals, as EU natives do not need a visa to stay in Malta.

There are three major visa types for digital nomads traveling to Malta: ATV, C, and D.

What is Malta's D Visa?

The long-stay or "D" visa allows the holder to stay in Malta for more than three months. Holders can stay for up to one year.

What is Malta's C Visa?

Malta's "C" or Schengen visa is a short-term visa for aliens migrating to the country for 180 days. This visa also allows the holder entry into other Schengen countries for up to 90 days out of six months.

What is Malta's ATV Visa?

Sometimes, travelers must stop at Malta's international airport before moving to their final destination. The Airport Transit Visa (ATV) enables its holder to make connecting flights from Malta to another country.

What is the process for employee work visa sponsorship in Malta?

Employing a foreign national, especially outside the EU, can be challenging and time-consuming.

While the employee applies for a D visa, the employer also applies for a single residency permit. Employers must give valid reasons for extending the job offer to aliens, secure private health insurance, and pay the application fee. This process can take up to three months. Meanwhile, application fees are non-refundable, and there are no guarantees. 

Remote provides unlimited support to ease the transition of your employees into a new country. Our talented mobility team can help you enjoy a purpose-built relocation service.  From managing eligibility checks to handling the work permits and visas process, we can hire and even onboard the candidate on your behalf.

Navigating work permits and visas in Malta with Remote

In Malta, there are specific rules for hiring, filing taxes, and immigration. However, complying with laws can be challenging.

You’ll have to avoid misclassifying your workers, offer competitive benefits, and make sure they have the correct work visa and permits to work legally in the country.

When you partner with a reliable EOR like Remote, the process of international hiring or relocating employees abroad becomes simple. Our team of employment experts can help you with hiring, run payroll, taxes, employee management, and compliance with local immigration laws and tax practices.

To learn more about how to efficiently manage employee relocation, download Remote’s Relocation Guide. Or contact our Mobility gurus for support in relocating team members to Malta and beyond. 

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