The beautiful island nation of Malta has so much to offer anyone who seeks to visit it or live in it. From beautiful landscapes and welcoming people, to excellent Mediterranean weather, and a thriving business environment, there is something to suit everyone’s taste in this astonishing archipelago. Depending on whether or not you’re a national of a country that is in a visa waiver agreement with Malta, you may need to acquire a Malta Schengen Visa prior to your visit. Although they all generally fall under the “Schengen Visa” title, there are different types of visas, requirements and application procedures.
In this article, you’ll learn about:
Malta Entry Restrictions in Response to Coronavirus
The Maltese authorities are dropping the country’s COVID-19 entry restrictions as of July 25, SchengenVisaInfo.com reports. Travelers will no longer be required to present a vaccination certificate, proof of recovery, or negative PCR test upon their arrival and will be permitted entry restriction-free.
General Required Documents for the Maltese Visa Application
Malta first became part of the European Union in 2004, then fully opened its borders with other Schengen member countries in 2007. It has a very safe political climate and is very secure in terms of daily life activities, which is why it has become a popular destination for travelers all around the world.
While EU nationals and other nationals of visa-exempt countries may not require a visa for entering Malta, there are a few passport holders across the globe that will have to apply for a visa prior to visiting the nation, depending on their purpose of travel, and whether or not their country of residence is in a visa waiver agreement with Malta.
Those who have to submit a visa application to enter Malta will need to submit an individual application form pertaining to their visitation purposes. Whether they are planning a short trip to Malta, or have decided to study, work, or permanently reside in the country, every applicant will have to abide by specific visa requirements.
General Required Documents for Maltese Visa Applications
There are a few general documents that everyone who needs a visa to Malta will have to submit to the Maltese Embassy or Consulate in their home country prior to their travels. Although additional documents may be requested by relevant Maltese authorities as proof of the applicant’s travel intent, the general documents are:
- A filled out Schengen Visa Application form. You can complete the application electronically and then print a hard-copy
- Two passport photos complaint with the Schengen Visa photo requirements
- A valid passport with at least two blank pages, and copies of previous Schengen Visas – valid for at least three months past the return date
- A copy of your travel itinerary and return-ticket reservation (if applicable)
- Travel medical insurance compliant with the Insurance Requirements
- Proof of civil status
- Proof of accommodation for the entire duration of your trip in Malta
- Proof of sufficient financial means and means of subsistence
Additional documents may be requested based on the following conditions:
If you are employed:
- Employment contract
- Current bank statement detailing transactions of the last six months
- No-objection letter from your employer
- Income Tax Return (ITR) form or Certificate of Income Tax deducted at the source of your salary
If you are self-employed:
- A copy of your business license
- Company bank statement detailing transactions of the last six months
- Income Tax Return (ITR)
If you are a student:
- Proof of enrollment
- Leave approval letter from your school or university
If you are retired:
- Pension statement detailing the last six months
If you are a property owner:
- Proof of your property generated income detailing the last six months
Other Documents Required for the Most Frequent Purposes for Visa Applications
There are other additional documents that the Maltese authorities will require depending on the type of visa you are applying for to Malta, and the purpose of your travels. These are categorized under the most frequent purposes of applying for a Malta visa, as follows:
Malta Tourist Schengen Visa
Additional documents for the Malta Tourist Visa Application are:
- Invitation letter with a legitimate address and phone number provided by your host or family member in Malta – if applicable
- Bank statement detailing the last six months
- Copies of your passport
Malta Visa for Business Purposes
Additional documents for the Malta Work Visa Application are:
- Invitation letter from the Maltese company you are visiting, detailing their operating address in Malta, and stating the dates of your visit
- A No-Objection letter from your employer stating your business travel purposes
- Proof of previous trade relations between the two companies – if applicable
- Business bank statement detailing the last six months
- An original certified copy of the companies’ Memorandum and Articles of Association (registered with joint-stock companies), Trade License (first issuance and latest renewal), Proprietorship or Partnership documents
- Proof of subsistence covering the applicant’s expenses during their stay, either provided by the employer or the partner company – to be included in the invitation letter
Malta Visa for Medical Purposes
Additional documents for the Malta Schengen Visa Application for Medical Purposes are:
- A local medical report
- Medical attestation from the medical practitioner or hospital in Malta, confirming the date of your appointment and your medical situation
- Payment receipt of medical fees
Malta Visa for Cultural, Sports, Film Crew or Religious Purposes
Additional documents for the Malta Schengen Visa Application for Cultural, Sports, Film Crew or Religious Purposes are:
- Invitation letter from the above-mentioned concerned authorities, detailing the nature of the event of activities. In essence, your purpose of visit, and coverage of expenses
- Names of the applicants or crew members
- Duration of stay
- Travel itinerary
Malta Visa for Members of Official Delegations
Additional documents for the Malta Schengen Visa Application for Members of Official Delegations are:
- Official invitation copy
- Applicant’s identification document
- Purpose of travel in Malta – meeting, negotiation, event by intergovernmental organizations, consultants, etc
- Duration of stay
- Proof of accommodation
Malta Visa for Study, Training, Research, or Other Types of Internship Purposes
Additional documents for the Malta Student Visa Application – and other internship purposes – are:
- Certificate of enrollment validating permission for attendance
- Certificate of completion of attended courses
- Proof of sufficient financial means
Malta Visa for the Spouse of a Maltese Citizen
Additional documents for the Malta Schengen Visa Application for the Spouse of a Maltese Citizen are:
- Proof of Maltese citizenship (Passport, ID card, consular card, or certification of Maltese nationality or naturalization order)
- Maltese marriage certificate
- Maltese family record book
Malta Airport Transit Visa
Additional documents for the Malta Airport Transit Visa are:
- Visa or other recognized entry permit in the transit country
- Copy of your valid visa for your ultimate destination
Malta Visa for Underage Children
Additional documents for the Malta Schengen Visa Application for Underage Children are:
- Proof of parent’s regular income – such as a work contract with a specified monthly income, a business license, or a bank statement
- Parental travel consent (i.e. notarized travel permission)
- If one of the parents lives in another country, their notarized parental travel consent will also be required
It is important to note that when submitting a Maltese visa application for underage children, parents or guardians of the underage children should accompany them to the Consulate or Embassy of Malta in their home country.
Where to Apply for a Visa to Malta?
If Malta is your main destination, or is your first entry point to the Schengen Area, then you must submit your visa application to the Embassy of Malta or Consulate located in your home country, or at any of Malta’s diplomatic representations there.
In countries where Malta processes applications through a Visa Application Center, applicants must submit their visa applications to Malta through those respective centers.
You may find more information on those centers if you are applying for a visa to Malta in one of the following countries:
Malta Visa Applications Submitted in the UK
If you are applying for a Maltese visa from the UK, you may have a few questions after Brexit. It is good to note that UK passport holders are still granted free entry to Malta without need for a visa, or any other type of permit prerequisite – as are nationals of EU/Schengen countries residing in Britain, and nationals of countries that entered visa-free agreements with the Schengen Zone residing in Britain.
As of January 1, 2023, however, nationals of countries that entered visa-free agreements with the Schengen Zone who currently reside in Britain will have to apply for a European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) visa waiver in order to be granted entry to Malta.
For those who are not nationals of EU/Schengen countries, or nationals of countries that established visa-free regimes with the Schengen Zone and are residing in Britain, they will have to submit a list of documents to relevant authorities and fulfill the Malta Visa application requirements for residents of the UK.
Golden Visas – What They Are & Where They Are Across Europe
Golden Visas are an immigration investment scheme offering investors and their families the opportunity to become permanent residents of a specific country in exchange for a substantial economic investment in that country in question. While some of these programs have a minimum investment threshold of €600,000 for the main applicant to become eligible for a residency permit, others may require as little as €350,000 or €250,000, depending on the type of investment.
This route to residency by investment is often alluring to non-EU/EEA citizens, as it paves the path for them to acquire a second residency, benefit from excellent healthcare and education systems, and access the world at large, among other things. While some countries have stringent stay requirements for investors to succeed in their application, others are more lenient. Below are a few examples of these programs:
These Golden Visa residency by investment schemes offer several investment options for anyone interested in acquiring a new home, or growing and diversifying their investment portfolios. Whether they are looking to invest in commercial or residential real estate, government bonds, new businesses, or private equity funds among other options, there are plenty of investment routes available to those interested in pursuing this program, and many benefits to be reaped out of them.
While the Maltese government does not offer a Maltese Golden Visa per se, Malta does offer similar incentive programs for foreign investors to partake in growing the Maltese economy. These investor immigration programs are the Malta Permanent Residency Program (MPRP) – otherwise known as Residency by Investment in Malta – and the Malta Citizenship by Naturalization for Exceptional Services by Direct Investment Program (CES) – commonly referred to as Malta Citizenship by Investment, or Maltese Citizenship Act Granting of Citizenship for Exceptional Services Regulations, which qualifies investors for a second citizenship, whereby they can enjoy the incredible benefits of the high Malta passport ranking.
Malta does offer another type of visa called the Malta Digital Nomad Visa, which is a type of visa that is given to entrepreneurs, remote workers, and digital freelancers who seek to reside in Malta and enjoy its beautiful nation for a lengthy period. Applicants to this visa will not be required to place an investment in Malta as with the Golden Visa Program, however they must feed the Maltese economy in other ways — mainly by not engaging in any business with Maltese establishments, and having their employing company be based outside of the country. This will ensure their contribution to growing the Maltese economy in return for a lengthy stay, exempt from double taxation.
Who Are We & How Can We Help You?
Global Citizen Solutions are residency and citizenship specialists, offering a service that is tailored to your specific needs and requirements. Our team of experts will work diligently from start to finish to ensure that you have a successful application. Professionalism and integrity are at the core of all we do.
For more information that may prove useful to you, you may want to check out our following articles:
Frequently asked questions about Malta Visa types, requirements, applications, and guidelines:
Do I need a visa to go to Malta?
Malta is part of the Schengen area. If you are an EU citizen you will not need a visa to enter the country. Malta visa-exempt countries include Britain and America. UK citizens and USA citizens may enter Malta for up to 90 days for tourist or business purposes without a visa. Note that your passport should be valid for at least three months beyond your planned departure date. If you are a national of another country, it is best to check the specific Malta visa requirements for your country.
Is Malta visa free for Indian citizens?
A Malta visa obtained from India is required for Indian citizens.
How much is the Malta visa fee?
The Malta visa fees are 60 euros for adults and 35 euros for children (between the ages of six and 12).
How can I get a Malta visa from Pakistan?
To get a Malta visa from Pakistan, it is best to check with the Malta Embassy there. The required documents to obtain the visa for citizens of Pakistan are a valid passport, two passport-sized digital photos, a current email address, and a valid means of payment (debit/credit card).
Is Malta visa easy to get?
The European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) visa waiver for Malta will be quick and easy to obtain. Citizens of around 150 countries will be required to have a visa to visit Malta in advance of their trip, regardless of the purpose of the visit.
