The residence permit specifies the purpose of the holder’s authorization to stay in Malta, which may include the following instances:
- Single Permit;
- Self-employment;
- Economic self-sufficiency;
- Study and Researchers;
- Family Members;
- Long-term residence;
- Exemption under national legislation;
- Highly qualified employment;
- Intra-corporate Transferees;
- Refugees, Subsidiary Protection & SRA;
- Other reasons.
Temporary
Application for a residence permit by all third country nationals who may fall under one of the categories listed here under are to submit their application online by clicking on the following link: http://noneu.identitymalta.com
For more information how to use this online application platform please click here
- Partners
- Health Purposes
- Religious Purposes
- Victims of Human Trafficking
- Voluntary Workers
- Working Holiday
- Posted Workers
The Expatriates Unit issues a residence permit, in a card format containing biometric features, to third-country nationals which grants them the right to legally reside in Malta.
SINGLE PERMIT
The single permit authorizes third-country nationals to legally reside and take up employment in Malta for a defined period which may be further renewed. Such application is processed by a means of a single application procedure, which includes the application of a work and residence permit.
SELF-EMPLOYMENT (Non-EU)
Renewal Applications for Self-Employed have to be submitted through the online portal, which may be accessed through https://singlepermit.gov.mt/. Applicants are required to login with their eID to access the Single Permit portal. The ‘User Manual Guidelines’ may be downloaded from the same portal for a step-by-step process on how to submit an online application.
New applicants or Still Abroad applicants can send an email on singlepermit.ima@gov.mt for guidance.
EMPLOYMENT – Less than 6 Months (Non-EU)
Applications for Employment of Third Country Nationals for a period of less than Six (6) months have to be submitted through the online portal by the Employer. The portal can be accessed by following this link https://singlepermit.gov.mt/
The User Manual Guidelines may be downloaded from the same portal for a step-by-step process on how to submit an online application.
ECONOMICALLY SELF-SUFFICIENT
Third-country nationals who plan to submit an application for a temporary residence permit on the basis of economic self-sufficiency (refer to form with checklist) must be in possession of a valid authorisation to reside in Malta. Such authorisation may be in the form of a residence permit or a visa. Applications may be submitted by high-net-worth beneficiaries of local residence investment or tax programmes, including the Global Residence Programme, the Malta Residence and Visa Programme, Malta Retirement Programme and Acquisition of Citizenship.
For more information please follow the links below:
https://cfr.gov.mt/en/inlandrevenue/itu/Pages/Global-Residence-Programme-Rules.aspx
Applicants are to submit their application online by clicking on the following link and use Form K.
STUDY, RESEARCHERS, TRAINING AND VOLUNTARY SERVICE IN THE MOBILITY PROJECT FOR YOUNG PEOPLE
Residence permits are issued to third-country nationals for the purpose of study, research, training and voluntary service (in the mobility project for young people) under the provisions of Subsidiary Legislation 217.22.
STUDENTS
Students have to submit their application online by clicking on the following link: http://noneu.identitymalta.com
For more information how to use this online application platform please click here
These regulations apply to third-country nationals accepted by an institution licensed by the National Commission for Higher Education to pursue a full-time course of study leading to a higher education qualification. The qualification must be recognised by the Malta Qualification Recognition Information Centre at MQF level 5. Courses may also include a preparatory programme which leads to the higher-education qualification. Third-country nationals who are visa exempt must submit their application for a residence permit within three months from their date of entry within the European Union territory. Other non-European nationals who need a visa to travel to the Schengen Area must be in possession of a visa issued for education purposes. Applications must be submitted by the applicant in person whilst in Malta.
Residence permits are also granted for the purpose of study whenever the course level does not fall under specified the levels in Subsidiary Legislation 217.22.
HEALTH REASONS
Third-country nationals who proceed to Malta to seek medical treatment may be granted a residence permit, provided that all necessary documentation is submitted to Identity Malta Agency.
Applicants are to submit their application online by clicking on the following link and use Form O
FAMILY MEMBERS
Persons who qualify under the conditions stipulated in Subsidiary Legislation 217.06 are issued with a residence permit for the purpose of family reunification with the sponsor, who has already been issued with a residence permit in Malta. This legislation can be found on https://legislation.mt/eli/sl/217.6/eng/pdf
In the case of those family members who do not satisfy the conditions of the said legislation, they may be granted a residence permit to reside in Malta if they fulfil the criteria set out in the policy related to family members. The family members policy may be accessed through the following link.
LONG TERM RESIDENCE
Third-country nationals who (i) have been legally and continuously residing in Malta for a period of five (5) years or more, (ii) have stable and regular resources, (iii) have their own accommodation and (iv) fulfil integration measures (outlined in Subsidiary Legislation 217.05), may apply for the long-term residence status (refer to form and checklist). The status of long-term residents is permanent and the residence permit would be issued for a period of five (5) years.
Requests for Long Term Residence need to be submitted via email on noneu.ima@gov.mt
PARTNERS
This application is intended for Third Country Nationals who are in a de-facto relationship with a Maltese National. Applicants providing evidence of a steady relationship are eligible to apply for this status.
Evidence may include:
- Utility bills
- Lease agreements and/or Purchase agreements
- Bank statements (showing transactions between accounts or proof of joint bank account/s)
- Flight tickets
- Dated photographs
- Sworn affidavits from family members who can testify the long-term relationship
- Other documents as evidence as may be requested by Identity Malta Agency
Identity Malta Agency reserves the right to conduct interviews as necessary to prove and/or investigate the veracity of the status of partnership of the couple.
Applicants being granted such a status cannot work for the first two years holding this type of permit. Should the Third Country National wish to work, the prospective employer has to submit a single permit application.
During the first 2 years, Residence Permits are granted for a period of 6 months duration. This is renewable upon submission of a renewal application.
Applicants are to submit their application online by clicking on the following link and use Form O.
EXEMPTION UNDER NATIONAL LEGISLATION
Application for a residence permit submitted by Non-EU Nationals for the purpose of Exempt Person Status (foreign spouses of Maltese citizens and children under 21 years of age of foreign spouses and Maltese citizens – Form E) in accordance to Article 4 of the Immigration Act – Chapter 217 Laws of Malta. Such applicants are subject to an interview. Appointments for interviews are to be submitted by email on fominterviews@ima.gov.mt.
HIGHLY QUALIFIED EMPLOYMENT
Third-country nationals who satisfy the conditions of entry and residence for the purpose of highly qualified employment (Subsidiary Legislation 217.15, implementing EU Council Directive 2009/50/EC) shall be issued with a residence permit entitled EU Blue Card.
- Key Employee Initiative
The Key Employee Initiative is a national scheme which fast-tracks the application process for single permits of highly specialized professions.
Who is eligible to apply under the Key Employee Initiative?
- A key employee is a highly-skilled person who is pivotal in the smooth running of an organization.
- For the purpose of this initiative, key employees receive a minimum basic annual salary of €30,000.
- They should occupy a managerial or highly-technical posts which require sufficient qualifications or adequate experience in various employment sectors.
- Such persons could be covered by either a definite or an indefinite employment contract.
INTRA-CORPORATE TRANSFEREES
An intra-corporate transfer is a temporary secondment for occupational and training purposes of a third-country national (TCN) from an undertaking established outside Malta to a local entity which is part of the same undertaking. The transfer may also take place from an entity established in another Member State of the EU to a host entity in Malta. The admittance of such persons is regulated by Subsidiary Legislation 217.21
SEASONAL WORKERS
Third-country national seasonal workers may be issued with a residence permit for the purpose of employment as long as they satisfy the conditions outlined in Subsidiary Legislation 217.20.
POSTED WORKERS
A Posted Worker is an employee of a foreign undertaking, established in the EU, who does not normally work in Malta but is sent to work in Malta for a limited period of time by the foreign undertaking. For further information regarding posted workers the following refers https://dier.gov.mt/en/Employment-Conditions/Posting%20of%20Workers%20in%20Malta/Pages/Information.aspx
These workers are required to register such posting with the Department for Industrial and Employment Relations by filling the following form. Identity Malta Agency will issue a Residence Permit to reflect such posting and for the period covered by the said posting, provided that the workers concerned produce the necessary documentation from the Department for Industrial and Employment Relations (DIER) and uploading it online with their application
Posted workers are to submit their application online by clicking on the following link and selecting Form O.
REFUGEES & SUBSIDIARY PROTECTION
The granting of Refugee and Subsidiary Protection status is the responsibility of the Refugee Commissioner. Following the issue of the certificate confirming such status, Identity Malta Agency will issue a residence permit and the relative documentation on submission of an application.
These applications (CEA Form I) have to be submitted in person at Identity Malta Agency’s Hal-Far office.
SPECIFIC RESIDENCE AUTHORISATION
Renewals for former holders of a Temporary Humanitarian Protection status and other applicants who satisfy the criteria as listed in the SRA Policy. Downloadable forms required for SRA applications namely SRA Form H, GDPR form, ID1A, Rental declaration maybe downloaded from the Application Forms section at the bottom of the page. [SRA Policy & Checklist]. These applications (Form H) have to be submitted in person at Identity Malta Agency’s Hal-Far office.
OTHER REASONS
There could be other reasons which could justify the issue of a residence permit and the relevant requests are assessed on a case by case basis.
Brexit
Applying for a Single Permit
The single permit authorizes third-country nationals to legally reside and take up employment in Malta for a defined period, which may be further renewed. In accordance to Subsidiary Legislation 217.17, third-country nationals may submit an application whilst they are either still-abroad or legally staying in Maltese territory.
Applications for a residence permit have to be endorsed by the employer and the permit would cease to apply if the applicant would no longer remain in the specified employment.
The single permit does not entitle holders to carry out:
- Paid duties assigned by other third parties than the identified employer; and
- Unauthorized work not related to the specific employment activity indicated in their application
Third-country nationals applying to reside in Malta for specific work.
The single permit is renewed annually and applicants are required to proceed within 90 days from the date of expiry. Renewal of applications may only be submitted while their current permit is still valid.
If the permit holder applies at a very late stage, the residence card would be collected at time of application and the applicant would be issued with an interim authorisation to reside and work in Malta. This document will allow the applicant to keep on working but is not a travel document. Applicants are advised not to make any travel arrangements before their residency permit is issued.
Key Employee Initiative
The Key Employee Initiative (KEI) provides a fast-tracked service
to highly-specialized Third-Country Nationals who are employed in
Malta. The scheme will facilitate the issuing of work/residence permits
to prospective key employees, which under normal circumstances should
not exceed 5 working days from the application’s submission date
Applications for a single permit under the KEI may be submitted while the applicant is physically in Malta or still abroad. The checklist for single permit applications submitted under the KEI may be downloaded from this website.
Right to Equal Treatment
All third-country nationals, who are legally residing and working in a Member State, shall enjoy a common set of rights on the basis of equal treatment with the nationals of the host Member States.
The right to equal treatment is not only granted to those third-country nationals who have been admitted to a Member State on the basis of employment but also to those who have been admitted for other purposes and have been given access to the labour market of that Member State.
Third-country nationals shall enjoy the right to equal treatment when it comes to:
- Working conditions, including pay, dismissal and health and safety at the place of work;
- Freedom of association, affiliation and membership of an organisation representing either workers, employers or any organisation whose members are engaged in a specific occupation;
- Educational and vocational training;
- Such equal treatment shall apply only to those third-country nationals who are in employment or were in employment and are registered unemployed in Malta;
- This shall not include:
- Study and maintenance grants;
- Loans and other grants;
- Educational and vocational training shall be given to third-country nationals who have been admitted to Malta in accordance with Subsidiary Legislation 217.22.
- Recognition of diplomas, certification and other professional qualifications in accordance with Maltese legislation;
- Branches of social security (as defined in Regulation (EC) No. 883/2004);
- Tax benefits (if the worker is deemed to be a resident for tax purpose in the Member State concerned);
- Access and supply to goods and services made available to the public, excluding housing accommodation;
- Advice services provided by employment offices;
The right to equal treatment shall not prejudice the right of the Member State to withdraw or to refuse to renew the residence permit issued.
Forms
ALL APPLICANTS
Electronic Identity Registration – Form ID 1A
Registration of applicant details and the type of application form
Image Capture Application Form – Form ID2
Registration of details of applicants whose live biometric image cannot be taken at the Department
Exempt Persons Status (Spouse of a Maltese National) – CEA Form E
Application for a residence permit submitted by Non-EU Nationals for the purpose of Exempt Person Status in accordance to Article 4 of the Immigration Act – Chapter 217 Laws of Malta. Such applicants are subject to an interview. Appointments for interviews are to be submitted by email on fominterviews@ima.gov.mt
Permanent Residence Scheme (Certificate by the Commissioner for Inland Revenue) – CEA Form S
Renewals for residence permits submitted by applicants who are residing in Malta and are in possession of a certificate issued under the Residence Scheme Regulations (Legal Notice 428 of 2008).
Applications for renewals of these residence permits can be submitted by following this link.
EU NATIONALS
Electoral Form
Application Form to be registered in the European Union Electoral Register as a voter for the Election of Members of the European Parliament [only applicable for first-time applicants]
Economic Self Sufficiency – CEA Form J
Application for a residence permit submitted by EU/EEA/Swiss nationals who are residing in Malta on the bases of Economic Self-Sufficiency in accordance to the Free Movement of EU nationals and their Family Members Order (Legal Notice 191 of 2007) and/or Immigration Regulations (Legal Notice 205 of 2004)
Employment/Self Employment – CEA Form A
Application for a residence permit submitted by an EU/EEA/Swiss National on the basis Employment/ Self Employment as laid down by the provisions of Free Movement of EU nationals and their Family Members Order (Legal Notice 191 of 2007) and/or Immigration Regulations (Legal Notice 205 of 2004).
Family Members – CEA Form F
Application for a residence permit submitted by an EU/EEA/Swiss National on the basis of Family Members as laid down by the provisions of Free Movement of EU nationals and their Family Members Order (Legal Notice 191 of 2007) and/or Immigration Regulations (Legal Notice 205 of 2004).
Permanent Residence – CEA Form P
Application for a residence permit submitted by EU/EEA nationals and their family members on the bases of the provisions of Free movement of EU Nationals and their Family Members Order (Legal Notice 191 of 2007) and/or Immigration Regulations (Legal Notice 205 of 2004).
Study – CEA Form M
Application for a residence permit submitted by an EU/EEA/Swiss National on the basis of study as laid down by the provisions of Free Movement of EU nationals and their Family Members Order (Legal Notice 191 of 2007) and/or Immigration Regulations (Legal Notice 205 of 2004)
NON-EU NATIONALS
Blue Card – CEA Form B
Application for a residence permit submitted by a non-EU National under the conditions of entry and residence of Third country nationals for the purpose of Highly Qualified Employment (Blue Card)
Economic Self Sufficiency – CEA Form K
Third country nationals who are beneficiaries of Malta Tax Schemes (e.g. Global Residence Program) and holders of a certificate issued for the purpose of permanent residence by the Malta Residency Agency are to submit their application online by clicking on the following link.
Employment/Self Employment – CEA Form C
Applications for Self-Employed or Employment of Less than Six (6) months have to be submitted through the online portal, which may be accessed through https://singlepermit.gov.mt/. The User Manual Guidelines may be downloaded from the same portal for a step-by-step process on how to submit an online application.
Family Members – CEA Form G
Application for a residence permit submitted by Family members of non-EU nationals
International Protection
Application for a residence permit by non-EU Nationals who are residing in Malta under International/Humanitarian protection. These applications have to be submitted in person at Identity Malta Agency’s Hal- Far office.
Long Term Residence
Third-country nationals who (i) have been legally and continuously residing in Malta for a period of five (5) years or more, (ii) have stable and regular resources, (iii) have their own accommodation and (iv) fulfil integration measures (outlined in Subsidiary Legislation 217.05), may apply for the long-term residence status (refer to form and checklist). The status of long-term residents is permanent and the residence permit would be issued for a period of five (5) years.
Requests for Long Term Residence need to be submitted via email on noneu.ima@gov.mt
Specific Residence Authorisation – Form H
Renewals for former holders of a Temporary Humanitarian Protection status and other applicants who satisfy the criteria as listed in the SRA Policy. Downloadable forms required for SRA applications namely SRA Form H, GDPR form, ID1A, Rental declaration maybe downloaded from the Application Forms section at the bottom of the page. [SRA Policy & Checklist]. These applications have to be submitted in person at Identity Malta Agency’s Hal- Far office.
