Malta Work Visa Overview
A Malta Work Visa generally refers to the Single Permit — a combined work and residence authorisation regulated under Subsidiary Legislation 217.17, which transposes the EU Directive on a single application procedure into Maltese law. It authorises a third-country national to legally reside and take up employment in Malta for a defined period exceeding six months, with the option to renew, and incorporates both the employment licence and the residence permit into a single application.
The Single Permit application is initiated and submitted online by the employer through the singlepermit.gov.mt portal — not by the applicant directly, except in specific cases such as live-in carers. The application may be submitted while the applicant is still abroad (outside the Schengen area) or while already legally present in Malta or another Schengen state. Once approved, an Approval in Principle letter is issued, after which the applicant can proceed with the visa process (a National Type D “Employment” visa, where required) through Identità’s Central Visa Unit.
Approval of a Malta Work Visa/Single Permit is determined solely by Identità, based on the employer’s application and the applicant’s documentation. The applicant may only begin employment after receiving official documentation — an Interim Receipt or the actual eResidence card.
Eligibility
- Applicant must have a confirmed job offer from a Maltese employer.
- Applicant must be either still abroad (outside the Schengen area) or already hold legal migration status in Malta or another Schengen state.
- The employer must submit and endorse the online Single Permit application before the applicant makes any payment.
- The application is only considered submitted once all required supporting documents have been provided.
- A visa may also be required, depending on the applicant’s nationality (see Identità’s list of visa-exempt countries).
- The applicant must not begin employment until the Interim Receipt or eResidence card has been issued.
Government Visa Fees
| Fee Type | Government Fee (EUR) |
| Single Permit Application | Confirmed via the singlepermit.gov.mt portal at the time of submission |
| National Visa (Type D) — Employment, where required | Confirmed with Identità’s Central Visa Unit |
Fees for the Single Permit and any accompanying National Visa are confirmed during the online application process and can vary depending on the specific employment category. Information may vary depending on the visa category and individual circumstances. Always confirm the current fee on singlepermit.gov.mt or identita.gov.mt, and note that exchange rates fluctuate daily.
Malta Tourist Visa Processing Time
Identità has indicated that the overall National Visa process — where a Type D Employment visa is required following Single Permit approval — can take up to approximately 8 weeks from the visa application centre appointment date. This is in addition to the time required for the initial Single Permit application and Approval in Principle stage, which depends on the completeness of the employer’s submission and the specific employment category.
Given the two-stage nature of this process — Single Permit approval, followed by the visa/residence stage — employers and applicants should factor in a longer overall timeline than a short-stay Schengen visa and initiate the process as early as possible once a job offer is confirmed. Information may vary depending on the visa category and individual circumstances.
Required Documents Checklist
Step-by-Step Application Process
Important Notes
Why Choose Shivansh Consultants
A Malta Work Visa/Single Permit application depends on your employer correctly initiating and submitting the online application, alongside your own visa and documentation requirements. Shivansh Consultants offers Documentation Support and a clear Eligibility Assessment to help both employer and applicant understand what’s needed at each stage.
We provide thorough Application Review, Personalized Guidance, and a Transparent Process throughout, with End-to-End Assistance from the Single Permit application through to the visa and residence stage. We do not guarantee approval, as this decision rests entirely with Identità.