Malta is a country that is far bigger than its size as a work destination: small, Anglophile, EU-hosting, and located strategically in the Mediterranean. Taking professionals that want to take a move, it is the first viable step to understand the Malta work visa process. In this guide, the author explains the kind of permits available in 2025, who is eligible, what documents you need to prepare, how the application process works step by step, the most common pitfalls, tips to keep in mind and frequently used questions in order to make the move with confidence.
Why choose Malta for work in 2025
Malta has many different reasons why professionals choose it as their destination: the substantial international business services segment, the rapidly developing start-ups in tech and in gaming, healthcare and tourism work, the official language of English, and convenient access to the EU as soon as you acquire some residence privileges. In the case of non-EU citizens, an acquired work visa and residence permit is the key to legal residence and employment, access to the services of the state and family allowance in most situations.
Who needs a Malta work visa
In the event that you do not hold the EU / EEA / Swiss citizenship and intend on working in Malta (paid or most types of self-employment) you will usually need to obtain a work authorization and a residence permit. The citizens of EU/EEA/Switzerland are free to move and do not need a work visa; however, they have to register domestically in case they intend to stay long term.
Types of Malta work
- Employment Licence / Work Permit (national permit) – employer sponsored permission of non-EU nationals to work in companies of the private sector; requires an initial step towards long term contracts.
- Single Permit (combined work and residence card) – only non-EU nationals are entitled to work and live in Malta within the same procedure; this is normally done with an extended stay.
- Intra-company Transfer Permit – used with employees of the company who move to a branch in Malta.
- EU Blue Card – a highly skilled worker. It requires a worker to have very stringent qualification and contract requirements; it provides mobility within the EU member states in certain situations with ease.
- Seasonal/Short-term Work Permits – in short-term employment (tourism, hospitality or agriculture).
- Self-employment and Business / Investor routes – are open to entrepreneurs and investors with a minimum of capital requirement and business plan requirements.
The eligibility tests vary in various permits and thus know the right way early.
Eligibility Basics
Requirements Often, eligibility will require:although details depend on the route, typical requirements are:
- An established business position in Malta (work permits).
- Applicants should possess relevant professional qualifications and prove experience.
- Passport and clean criminal record.
- Health (medical certificate).
- Evidence which the employer has fulfilled any requirements of advertising the position locally where necessary.
- The initial application is usually sponsored by employers; you are to provide proper documents and pass health/character tests.
Required Documents
The list below is a consolidated list that you would use at different stages. Prepare certified translations (in case documents are not in English): Check which documents are right to your selected permit and make certified translations:
- Legal passport (copies and originals) that is valid within a period of six months.
- New type passport photographs.
- Written offer of employment or job information that indicates a position, working hours and time of contract.
- Company registration documents or trade licence by the employer.
- Letter of intent or sponsorship letter of the employer.
- Criminal record checks/police clearance cert(s) of country(s) of residence.
- Medical certificate or evidence that medical inspection has taken place or will take place (possibly prior to or following arrival).
- An accommodation evidence in Malta or confirmation of employer accommodation.
- Evidence of adequate finances (bank balances) in case asked.
- By applying overseas, travel itinerary or flight booking is required.
- Evidence of payments of visa and processing fees (receipts).
- The transfer of any former residence or employment permission and passports containing earlier visas.
- Remember to keep originals and certified copies, multiple authorities will insist on originals to be seen.
Also Check: New Zealand 2 Year Work Visa Process October 2025: Everything You Need to Know
Step By Step Application Process
The correct succession will depend on whether your employer is seeking a national work permit and then applies for a Single Permit or whether the employer first seeks a Single Permit but these steps are a practical exercise which is greatly used:
Step 1: Secure a job offer
Get a written proposal of a company in Malta. The employer should be a legitimate organization in Malta, and he/she has to agree to sponsor your application.
Step 2: Employer Apply For Work Permit
Your employer fills out the applications with the skilled Maltese authorities (jobs and immigration agencies). They give the description of the job, the company qualifications and the motivation of hiring a non EU. There are those positions where the employer will have to demonstrate local recruitments first.
Step 3: Work permit sanction in principle
An initial work permit or authorisation is granted in case the authority approves. In the case of Single Permit routes, this is done as one operation in addition to the work approval and residence approval. Your employer will e-mail or mail to you the approval procedures or confirmation letter, which you will use in getting the visa.
Step 4: Maltese consulate visa application
In the event that you need an entry visa, you submit the approval documents at the Maltese consulate/embassy in your home country. Present passport, photos, employer letter and other documents demanded. A type D long-stay visa to work is required by some nationalities.
Step 5: Departure and entry into Malta
To Malta, after a visa (where necessary). You do not have a lot of time to undergo post arrival procedures (medical, fingerprints, registration).
Step 6: Physical check up and police investigation
Finish all medical examinations or give police clearance records as required. This can be subjected to checks prior to travelling or after arrival
Step 7: Identity Malta registration / residence card collection.
You will apply and get your residence card (or Single Permit card) issued at Identity Malta or the respective immigration office identified. This card is your official evidence of the right to live and work.
Step 8: Begin to work and meet domestic requirements
As soon as you get the residence/work permit, you can start working. Make sure you or your employer sign up on social security, tax number and other required insurances. Store all paperwork and update licenses in time.
Deadlines and workflow consideration
The processing time depends upon the type of permits, the nationality of the applicant, the completeness of his or her paper and the current workloads at the immigration authorities. The first employer to submit visa stamping and residence card to visa stamping should take several weeks to a few months before it happens. Take early application and follow up on the progress with your sponsor.
Renewal of Malta work Visa
The residence cards and work permits are temporary. Before it expires: it is your employer who usually instigates renewal. Should you want to change employers you will normally require the new employer to request a new permit or take over your sponsorship; you may be required to stay outside of Malta during some of that process based on your permit.
Pathway to Permanent Residency
When you are planning to establish a business, Malta has business and investor paths which need presentation of business plan, capital demonstrations and that the business will be capable of contributing economic value to the economy. The criteria of approval are financial sustainability, creation of jobs locally and compliance to regulations. The application is usually done in phases; business approval, then residence permissions.
EU Blue Cards and Routes Highly Skilled
In the case that you are a highly skilled business professional, the EU Blue Card may prove to be a desirable path. It needs better education (usually a university diploma) and an established contract with a set of conditions. The Blue Card provides good mobility and family reunion benefits among the participating EU countries with certain conditions.
Things to Avoid
When required to do so, always submit certified translations and originals.
Formal and signed contracts are the only admissible contracts.
Lack of time to apply or renew – According to the timelines, diarise and begin the renewal timeline early.
Look to see whether your permit is allowing secondary employment or volunteer work.
Use law firms or other established recruitment companies; your employer must be well behaving.
Useful Tips
- Prepare a grand file containing originals and copies of documents which are certified, several copies.
- Request your employer to give you a transparent list of the documents that he/she will present and your part.
- When you begin work familiarise yourself with local tax and social security obligations.
Financial and cost factors
They include application fees, visa fees, registration fees and potential healthcare costs or private insurance costs. Most of these expenses are usually paid by your employers to people you are sponsored by, and it is best to set out obligations on finance in your agreement.
FAQ’s
Is it possible that I can be issued with a Malta work visa without a job offer?
The majority of employment patterns demand job offer and employer sponsorship. Business/entrepreneur avenues are available to self-start-ups, nevertheless, it involves having a formal business proposal and showing resources.
What is the average time of the Single Permit process?
The time taken to process may be quite variable; make allowances of a few weeks to several months. Begin early and act promptly whenever required to make additional documentation.
Can my family accompany me on a Malta work visa?
Family reunification can occur in most types of permits; you will have to fulfill an income and accommodation requirement and submit documents on spouse/child during your permit application.
Sum Up
Traditional occupational preparation will make working in Malta a possibility and be a fulfilling objective in 2025. It revolves around having a valid offer of a job or satisfying requirements in a business/investor pathway, proper documentation and adherence to permit and residence procedure.