Malta Work Visa Process August 2025: Eligibility Criteria and Application Process

Malta is an island located in the Mediterranean and has an aggressive culture, attractive climate, and an economy that is developing fast, making it a leading country that unskilled foreign workers flock to. The country presents a good market especially to the skilled and unskilled workers with the booming industries including tourism, gaming, healthcare, construction and financial services. Working in Malta is not only possible but requires the knowledge of how to obtain a work visa in order to get a job and reside legally in the country.
By August 2025, the procedure of the Malta work visa is still organized and simplified, though one should carefully prepare it, apply on time, and document this properly. This handbook will discuss every step of the process, who is eligible, the supporting documents needed as well as other important information to facilitate your navigation through the process so you come out on top.
Malta Work visa System
A Malta work visa is a variety of national long-stay visa (Type D), which enables a person who is not a citizen of EU/EEA/Switzerland to reside and work in Malta. EU, EEA and Switzerland members do not need a work visa because of the agreements of free movements, whereas citizens of other countries citizens should apply first in order to start an employment.
Foreigners usually require the two:
- An employment license (work permit) that is issued by Jobsplus, the employment agency and Identita.
- Long-stay visa To enter the country and live in Malta longer than 90 days.
Why work in Malta?
- Good employment opportunities within the tourism, trade/ hospitality, IT, finance and healthcare sectors.
- English is an official language thus a second language by the foreigners is adopted with ease.
- Workers and families should be provided with a safe environment and quality of life is high.
- An increase in the economy with numerous career opportunities.
- Good place on the Mediterranean with fantastic climate throughout the year.
Eligibility Criteria
The requirements to apply to Malta work visa are:
- The possession of a fixed employment opportunity in a Maltese company.
- Gain the necessary skills, qualification and experience to fit the job.
- Get medical checks and have no criminal record (meet health and character conditions).
- Possession of a valid passport (validity of six months after plan of stay).
- Prove accommodation arrangements in Malta.
- Demonstrate you have enough financial resources to live off before you start earning a regular salary.
How to get a Malta Work Visa Step by Step
Follow the steps below to get Malta work visa
Step 1: Obtain a Job Offer
The first step is to get a Maltese employer who will employ you. Employers usually post advertisements of the job openings on job boards both locally and internationally. Once an employer offers you the job, the employer will apply to get the employment license.
Step 2: Employer Makes Employment License request
The Employment license application will be lodged by your employer to Jobsplus. This includes:
- A filled in application form.
- An original of your passport.
- They are qualified and experienced.
- Employment contract information.
- Paid application fee.
Jobsplus will see whether the job could be covered by local or EU workers prior to granting you the employment license. This normally takes a couple of weeks.
Step 3: Make application of Malta Work Visa
As soon as the license on employment is granted, you will have the chance to get a Type D national long-stay one at the closest Maltese embassy or consulate. Within your application, you should encompass:
- Filled out visa application form.
- Real passport and copies of every page of it.
- Licensing of employment.
- Employment signed contract.
- Passport-size pictures that are according to the specifications of Malta.
- Health insurance that will cover you in Malta.
- Maltese Accommodation Proof.
- Police clearance document of your home country.
- Evidence of the ability to take care of oneself.
Step 4: Visit Visa Interview
You might need to go to the Maltese embassy or consulate to an interview. The interview will involve asking your job, qualification and plans in Malta.
Step 5: Visa Approval
The time it takes to process a visa can be variable depending on the number of applications to be processed and the case being presented by the applicant. The visas however usually take 4 to 8 weeks to be processed.
Step 6: Go to Malta
When your visa is granted you will be able to travel to Malta and start work according to the work contract.
Step 7: application of Residence Permit
Once in Malta you are expected to apply for residence permit at Identity Malta Agency. This will enable you to be able to stay in Malta legally during the length of your contract and then be able to work in Malta.
Required Documents
- Filled out visa application form.
- Sure passport with unused pages.
- Passport-size photographs.
- A licence to employ, issued by Jobsplus.
- Employment contract.
- Documenting evidence of qualifications and work experience.
- Medical insurance.
- Police Background check.
- Evidence of housing.
- Evidence of finances such as bank statements.
August 2025 Visa Fees
There might be some difference in Visa fees but normally they would consist of:
- Licence fee on employment- about 150 euros.
- Type D national visa fee- approximately euro 100.
- Residence permit fee 600 euro.
Length and Recurrence
Malta work visa and employment license normally are issued with a period of one year and can be extended in the event of necessity with:
- You work with the same or another employer.
- You remain eligible to all the requirements of the visa.
- Your employer has a renewal application that is done before the expiry of the current permit.
Qualifications to get into Permanent Residency
It is possible to apply and obtain long-term residency, after five years of legally residing in Malta and working. In this status, you can live and work in Malta and not spend money on application of work permit annually.
Tips on a Successful Application
- Make sure that you have a valid passport of adequate tenure.
- Provide accurate and good documentation to prevent delays.
- Maintain a copy of the documents presented.
- Lodge long before the desired travelling date as one needs some processing time.
- Be in excellent communication with your employer throughout.
Common Mistakes
- Applying without a license to employ.
- Filing wrong or improper documents.
- Failure to renew visa or permits in time.
- Submission of qualifications which are not authenticated or translated appropriately.
FAQs
May I switch my job when I get to Malta on a work visa?
Yes, however before engaging in work you need to apply for a new employment license to your new job.
What is the maximum duration of stay in Malta via work visa?
First, one year but renewable on an annual basis.
May my family come with me to Malta?
Yes, you may request a family reunification of your spouse and children which needs according to conditions of income and accommodation.
Will I be obliged to speak Maltese to work in Malta?
No, it is not an issue and lots of jobs both in tourism and IT prefer English, not Maltese. Saying this, one have to apply and get a skill pass, of which He/She is though about the Maltese heritage, culture and identity. if you fail the skill pass, no work permit will be issued.
At what earliest date could I make an application for my work visa after the job offer?
Once you obtain a job license, approved, you should apply right away since it might take some weeks to process.
What is the minimum salary to be available to apply for a Malta work visa?
Yes the pay has to be at the Malta minimum wage level and comparable to the skills level of the job.
What do I do in case my visa application is declined?
The decision may be appealed or you could reapply again with better documentation and evidence.
Sum Up
Working in Malta will be a mixture of professional developments, cultural diversity and excellent quality of life. Your process of obtaining the work visa will be easy, as in August 2025, but you should thoroughly prepare and consult with your employer. All the steps have to be done correctly starting with getting a job offer followed by employment license, applying your work visa and at last being issued with your residence permit. With proper procedure and full documentation, you will be able to initiate your career path in Malta with full enjoyment of all amenities that this country has to offer.
