Change Employer in Malta 2026

The Single Permit is employer-specific

✓Identità Malta A Single Permit in Malta authorises you to live and work in Malta, but only with the employer named on the permit. If you move to a new employer — whether by choice or redundancy — your permit must be updated before you start at the new job.

The grace period: 30 days, extendable to 60

✓Malta Labour Migration Policy Since 1 August 2025, a third-country national whose employment is terminated is granted 30 days to remain in Malta and look for new work. That period can be extended by a further 30 days — 60 in total — if you can show sufficient financial means to support yourself without recourse to social assistance.

Separately, ✓Identità Malta states that where you have already been terminated, an application submitted by a new employer within 60 days of your termination date may be considered for processing. Past 60 days, the application has to satisfy additional eligibility criteria under Subsidiary Legislation 217.17.

So the window runs from your termination date, in calendar days:

• Day 0 — your last day of employment (or the date your contract is terminated)
• Days 1–30 — you may remain in Malta and look for work. Your new employer can file the change of employer application at any point in here.
• Days 31–60 — only if you obtained the extension. The extension is subject to proof of financial self-sufficiency. Identità has not published how to request it, so contact Identità's Expatriates Unit (contact details on identita.gov.mt) before day 30.
• Day 61+ — outside the published window. An application must then meet the extra criteria under SL 217.17. Get advice from a licensed immigration advisor rather than assuming your position is hopeless.

Identità's fact sheet says you may remain for 30 days (up to 60). Identità's Change of Employer page says an application filed within 60 days of termination may be considered 'even though the migration status of the third-country national is considered irregular'. Ask Identità how your status is treated before you rely on the grace period.

Step-by-step: what to do when changing employer

1. Ask your new employer to confirm they are registered with Jobsplus and have approved access to the Identità Single Permit online portal. Without this access they cannot file the application.
2. Sign your new employment contract. You will need a signed contract from the new employer as part of your application. Do not start work yet.
3. Give your new employer the documents — they file it. Identità's guidance is that the new employer submits the change of employer application. An application filed within 60 days of your termination date may be considered for processing. Your new employer may file before your previous job ends, which avoids the 60-day question.
4. The extension is subject to proof of financial self-sufficiency. Identità has not published how to request it, so contact Identità's Expatriates Unit (contact details on identita.gov.mt) before day 30.
5. Wait for confirmation. Your permit authorises work only with the employer named on it. Do not start work at the new employer until you receive updated documentation.
6. Receive updated permit. Once approved, your permit will be updated or reissued reflecting the new employer. You may now start work.

Documents typically required

Identità's Change of Employer page does not publish a separate document list; your new employer files through the Expatriates Online Portal. The general Single Permit document list (see our Single Permit guide) is the best guide, and your new employer should confirm the exact documents with Identità.

If you are made redundant

Identità's fact sheet applies the grace period to Single Permit holders whose employment is terminated; it does not list individual cases.

The policy rationale is explicit — Malta would rather retain workers already on the island than process fresh applications from abroad. So do not treat a lost job as automatically the end of your stay.

Tourism and hospitality workers

A Skills Pass is valid only for the role it was issued for (S.L. 409.22, regulation 4(4)). If your new job is a different role, check with the Skills Pass team whether you need a new one. ✓Skills Pass Malta Check the Skills Pass portal for current guidance, and see the Skills Pass guide for sector-specific steps.

Frequently asked questions