How to Apply for a Malta Work Visa From India

To apply for a Malta work visa from India, you first need a job offer from an employer in Malta. Indian nationals usually work in Malta on a Single Permit, which combines a work permit and a residence permit. You cannot apply for this permit yourself. Your employer files the application online with Identità, the Maltese government agency for foreign workers. Before this, you must complete a mandatory online Pre-Departure Course, which costs €250. The first-time Single Permit fee is €600. Once Identità issues an Approval in Principle letter, you apply for a national D visa at a VFS Global Malta centre in India. Highly skilled professionals earning at least €45,000 a year can use the faster Key Employee Initiative. After you arrive, you give your biometrics at Identità to receive your residence card.
 

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How to Apply for a Malta Work Visa From India?

Most Malta work permit routes need a signed employment contract before your employer applies.

The steps to apply for a Malta work visa for Indians are as follows:

Step 1: Choose the right work permit route for your job, such as the Single Permit, the Key Employee Initiative, the Specialist Employee Initiative, or the EU Blue Card.

Step 2: Secure a job offer and a signed employment contract from an employer registered in Malta.

Step 3: Complete the mandatory Pre-Departure Course on the Skills Pass portal, including the online assessment and English interview, and receive your certificate.

Step 4: Prepare your documents, including your passport, employment contract, degree certificates, photographs, and the course certificate.

Step 5: Your employer submits the Single Permit application online to Identità and pays the €600 application fee.

Step 6: Receive the Approval in Principle letter once Identità approves the application.

Step 7: Apply for a national D visa at a VFS Global Malta visa application centre in India, using the Approval in Principle letter.

Step 8: Travel to Malta and attend your biometrics appointment at Identità to receive your Single Permit residence card.

 

 

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Requirements for the Malta Work Visa

Malta's requirements depend on your permit route, job, salary, and qualifications. The Single Permit, the Key Employee Initiative, and the EU Blue Card share most of the same documents. The list below brings together the eligibility conditions and documents you will need.

The eligibility criteria for a Malta work visa are as follows:

• A job offer and a signed employment contract from an employer registered in Malta.
• For a standard Single Permit, a salary of at least the Maltese national minimum wage that suits the role offered.
• For the Specialist Employee Initiative, a basic gross salary of at least €30,000 a year.
• For the Key Employee Initiative, a managerial or highly technical role with a basic gross salary of at least €45,000 a year.
• For the EU Blue Card, a gross salary of at least 1.5 times Malta's average gross annual salary, plus higher professional qualifications.
• A Pre-Departure Course certificate for first-time applicants, and a Skills Pass for many tourism and hospitality jobs.
• A valid passport with at least two blank pages, valid beyond your intended stay.
• Recent passport-size photographs that meet the official photo standards.
• Degree certificates, experience letters, and a CV, with translations where needed.
• Proof of accommodation in Malta, such as a registered lease agreement, and a police clearance certificate where required.
   

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Cost of Applying for a Malta Work Visa From India

The total cost of a Malta work visa depends on your permit route and the fees paid after arrival. Costs below are shown in euros and their approximate Indian Rupee equivalent, at a rate of roughly ₹110 to the euro.

Cost Item	Fee	Notes
Single Permit Application Fee	€600 (approx. INR 66,000)	Paid when the employer files the first-time application with Identità; covers the first year
Pre-Departure Course	€250 (approx. INR 27,500)	Mandatory for first-time applicants; completed online on the Skills Pass portal, with an English interview
National D Visa Fee	€100-€150 (approx. INR 11,000-16,500)	Paid at VFS Global India after you receive the Approval in Principle, for standard or extended service
VFS Global Service Charge	Varies by centre	Paid at the VFS Global Malta visa application centre in India, in addition to the visa fee
Single Permit Renewal	€150 per year (approx. INR 16,500)	Paid for each year of renewal, for up to three years at a time
Change of Job Designation	€300 (approx. INR 33,000)	Paid when a new application is needed for a change of job or employer
Skills Pass (Tourism and Hospitality)	€230 (approx. INR 25,300)	Needed for many tourism and hospitality jobs, in addition to the Pre-Departure Course
Translations and Attestations	Varies by provider	Needed for documents such as degree certificates, police certificates, and marriage certificates

 

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FAQs

Can I apply for a Malta work visa without a job offer?

Most Malta work permits need a job offer and a signed employment contract from a Maltese employer. Your employer must also file the Single Permit application for you. One exception is the Nomad Residence Permit. It lets remote workers live in Malta while working for an employer or clients outside Malta, if they meet the minimum income requirement.

What is the processing time for a Malta work visa from India?

Identità states that a Single Permit application can take up to four months. Complete applications are often processed sooner. The Key Employee Initiative is much faster, often within about five working days. You should also allow time for the Pre-Departure Course and the national D visa at VFS Global. Start the process at least four to five months before your job start date.

What is the Malta Single Permit?

The Single Permit is a combined work and residence permit for non-EU nationals with a job offer in Malta. It allows you to live in Malta and work for the employer named in your application. It is usually issued for one year and can be renewed for up to three years at a time. Identità processes all Single Permit applications.

Is there a minimum salary requirement for a Malta work visa?

Yes. A standard Single Permit needs a salary of at least the Maltese national minimum wage, in line with the role offered. The Specialist Employee Initiative needs at least €30,000 a year. The Key Employee Initiative needs at least €45,000 a year. The EU Blue Card needs at least 1.5 times Malta's average gross annual salary. Thresholds can change, so check Identità before applying.

Do I need to speak English or Maltese for a Malta work visa?

Maltese is not required. English is one of Malta's official languages and is widely used at work. However, first-time Single Permit applicants must complete the Pre-Departure Course, which includes a live interview to check basic English skills. Good English also helps with job interviews, daily life, and integration in Malta.

Can my spouse and children join me in Malta?

Yes, through family reunification. Most Single Permit holders can apply after living in Malta legally for at least 12 months, if they meet the income and accommodation requirements. Key Employee Initiative and Specialist Employee Initiative holders may apply sooner if they meet a higher income threshold. Family members apply for a national D visa through VFS Global India.

What is the Pre-Departure Course for Malta?

The Pre-Departure Course is a mandatory online course for all first-time Single Permit applicants. It covers life, work, and cultural norms in Malta. You complete it on the Skills Pass portal, then sit an assessment and attend a live online interview. The course costs €250. Identità will not accept a first-time application without a valid course certificate.

Can I change employers while on a Malta work visa?

The Single Permit is tied to the employer named in your application. To change employers, your new employer must file a new application with Identità. You should not start working for the new employer until the application is approved. A fee applies for a change of job designation, so plan the move carefully with your new employer.

What happens if my Malta work visa application is refused?

If your application is refused, you will receive a written decision with the reasons. Common reasons include missing documents, an unclear employment contract, or a salary that does not meet the requirement. You can appeal within the deadline stated in the decision, or reapply once you have fixed the issue. Application fees are usually not refunded.

Does a Malta work visa lead to permanent residency?

Yes. After five years of continuous legal residence in Malta, you can usually apply for long-term resident status. You must show stable and regular income, suitable accommodation, health insurance, and meet integration requirements. Time spent on a Single Permit counts towards this period. Check the latest rules with Identità before you apply.