If your organization is planning to expand to the country of Malta, then you will probably want to bring in workers from abroad to help with the setup and running of the new operation. To do this, your employees will generally need to apply for Malta work visas.
However, Malta’s visa application process can be complicated, with unique immigration rules, complex administration, and waiting times all contributing to the difficulties. It is therefore very important to follow all of the procedures carefully or you may risk encountering delays.
At Horizons, our experts in foreign expansion offer a range of Malta work visa services, immigration support, and outsourcing, giving your business everything it needs to expand into Malta with the help of your existing workforce.
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Requirements for Malta work visas
Most foreign workers will need to have a Maltese work visa and work permit to legally work in the country. There are various requirements for these, but some of the main examples that most people will need to meet include:
- CV/resume
- Letter from the employer
- References/proof of qualifications and work experience
- Health check
- Proof that the employer could not find employees from Malta
- Contract of employment from a Malta-based company
- Health insurance
- Sufficient accommodation arrangements
- Proof of finances
- A valid passport
- Application forms
- Application fees
Types of Malta work visas
As Malta is a member of the European Union (EU) and European Economic Area (EEA), EU/EEA nationals do not need visas to enter the country. Workers coming from countries outside the EU/EEA do need visas. As with many other countries in Europe, the main options are short-term (C-type) visas, valid for stays up to three months, or long-term (D-type) visas, valid for stays of more than three months.
People coming to Malta for employment will almost always need a D-type visa. Additionally, they will need a work permit for Malta, known as an employment license.
How to get a work visa for Malta
The first step for prospective foreign workers should be to get in touch with their local Maltese embassy/consulate who will supply all the latest details and requirements. They can then file their application for their visa and follow all instructions from the embassy/consulate.
For the employment license, the employer will need to file the application through the Maltese Employment and Training Corporation. When the visa and license have been granted, the employee can enter Malta and commence their employment.
Additional considerations
While EU/EEA nationals do not need the same visa and employment license requirements to enter and work in Malta, they will still need to register officially in the first three months in the country. This can be done through the Department for Citizenship and Expatriate Affairs.
As in any country, waiting times can take longer than expected, so you and your prospective employees should always be sure to prepare and start your applications as early as possible.
How can Horizons help?
At Horizons, we assist organizations of all kinds with their successful expansion into Malta, and we are experts in obtaining work visas for Malta. Our Malta work visa specialists offer reliable advice and tailored outsourcing services to help you through Malta’s complicated immigration process quickly and effectively. We can ensure compliance with Malta’s laws, save you time, and offer answers to any questions you may have about the immigration process.
We also provide wide-ranging outsourcing solutions that cover recruitment, payroll, HR, administration, and more to help your organization start trading in Malta as quickly and effectively as possible, even if you don’t have a registered entity in the country.
