Living in Malta for 11 Years (Honest Reality)
Alex in Malta · EN
Malta Pre-Departure Course 2026
Since 1 March 2026, first-time third-country national Single Permit applicants must complete Phase 1 online modules and a Phase 2 live interview before travelling to Malta for work.
Verified against Identità Malta · Skills Pass Malta
Last checked 30 June 2026
Last checked 30 June 2026
Dedicated specialist guide available
For the full Pre-Departure Course guide — cost breakdown, registration steps, certificate requirements, and the live interview — visit maltapredeparturecourse.org, the dedicated specialist guide for this programme.
What applies to me?
Answer three questions to choose the safest starting guide. This does not replace official confirmation, but it helps you avoid reading the wrong route first.
Is this your first Malta Single Permit application?
Is the job in tourism, hospitality, hotels, restaurants, or bars?
Are you already in Malta with a valid residence or work permit?
Alex in Malta videos for pre-departure prep
Public YouTube embeds for daily life, arrival expectations, and practical Malta context before the official course.
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20 essential tips about Malta you need to know
Alex in Malta · EN
Asking people How Much Rent they Pay in Malta
Alex in Malta · EN
Study Hub preparation
Worried about the Phase 2 interview? Practice the exact topics it tests.
MaltaPathway's Study Hub starts with a free sample and offers full 30-day or 15-day prep plans for pre-departure topics: worker rights, employment law, health & safety, and life in Malta. Your free account also includes a step-by-step permit pathway and deadline reminders.
No card needed to create an account. Paid prep plans unlock inside Study Hub.
Next steps after arrival
Do not stop at the course certificate.
First-time workers also need to understand employer changes, sector rules, housing pressure, and the Study Hub topics that can come up in onboarding or interviews.
What is the Malta pre-departure course?
The pre-departure orientation course is a mandatory online programme that first-time Single Permit applicants from third countries must complete before travelling to Malta. It was introduced by Identità Malta and became effective from 1 March 2026.
Identità Malta The course is designed to prepare applicants for life and work in Malta by covering legal rights, obligations, cultural orientation, and practical information.
Course structure
According to published Identità Malta information, the course consists of:
- Two online modules — Living and Working in Malta and Rights and Obligations at the Workplace, each roughly 10–12 hours (about 20–24 hours in total). They are self-paced and include videos, reading material, and practice assignments.
- Assessments — Each module ends with an assessment you must pass before moving on.
- Live interview — A roughly 20-minute live interview after both modules, checking your English and your understanding of the course. It is conducted by the Institute of Tourism Studies (ITS) in Malta or an authorised Global Assessment Centre (often co-located with VFS Global).
Identità Malta / Skills Pass The course is delivered through the Skills Pass Portal, with module content hosted on Coursera. The portal opened on 5 January 2026, and Identità began verifying completion certificates as part of the Single Permit process from 1 March 2026.
What the course covers
Based on published information, the course is expected to cover topics including:
- Rights and obligations of workers in Malta
- Employment law basics
- Cultural orientation and integration
- Health and safety at work
- Practical information about living in Malta
- How to access public services
Two named modules — lesson-level detail still light
The two modules above are confirmed, but the full lesson-by-lesson syllabus is not published in detail. Once you have access to the Skills Pass Portal, check there for the current content.
Fees
Fee inconsistency across sources
There is a known inconsistency in published fees. The Identità Malta pre-departure page shows a fee of €250, while the Skills Pass pages indicate €245 plus a separate €5 Phase 2 booking fee. We display both values here. Check the relevant official page for the fee that applies to your specific case.
Identità Malta The published fee on the Identità pre-departure page is €250.
Skills Pass Skills Pass pages show €245 plus a €5 Phase 2 booking fee.
Phase 1 and Phase 2 — what's the difference?
The pre-departure course is structured in two phases, sometimes referred to as Phase 1 and Phase 2:
- Phase 1 — Online modules: Two self-paced online modules, each approximately 10–12 hours. You complete these before the live interview. Covers Maltese law, worker rights, cultural orientation, and practical information.
- Phase 2 — Live interview: A 20-minute live interview conducted after both modules are passed. This is the final step before your pre-departure course completion certificate is issued.
The Skills Pass booking fee of €5 applies specifically to Phase 2 (the live interview booking). This is separate from the Phase 1 module fee.
"Phase 2" in the pre-departure course ≠ Skills Pass Phase 2
If you work in tourism or hospitality, the Skills Pass programme also has its own phases. The pre-departure Phase 2 (live interview) and the Skills Pass Phase 2 are separate things. See the Skills Pass guide for the distinction.
Who needs to complete it?
The course applies to first-time Single Permit applicants from third countries. Workers in tourism and hospitality have additional requirements through the Skills Pass programme on top of the pre-departure course.
How to register for the pre-departure course
Registration and completion happen through the official Identità Malta pre-departure portal. Follow these steps:
- Confirm eligibility — The course applies once your Single Permit application has been submitted and accepted by Identità Malta. You cannot self-enrol before your application is in the system.
- Receive your enrolment notice — Identità Malta will notify you (via email or your employer) when you are eligible to access the pre-departure portal and start Phase 1.
- Complete Phase 1 (online modules) — Log in to the portal and complete both online modules at your own pace. Each module takes approximately 10–12 hours. Assessments must be passed before proceeding.
- Book Phase 2 (live interview) — Once both Phase 1 modules are passed, book your 20-minute live interview through the portal. A €5 booking fee applies (per Skills Pass published fees).
- Complete the live interview — Attend your scheduled Phase 2 interview. This is conducted online. If passed, you receive your pre-departure course completion certificate.
- Certificate submitted — The certificate is required before Identità Malta will issue your Single Permit. Your employer or the portal will handle submission.
Where the course actually lives
The course runs on the Skills Pass Portal — the same platform used for the Tourism & Hospitality Skills Pass — with module content delivered through Coursera. You cannot self-enrol: access is triggered once your Single Permit application is accepted, and Identità or your employer provides the login details.
Tourism & hospitality workers: you need both
If you are working in tourism or hospitality, the Skills Pass is an additional requirement on top of this pre-departure course — not a replacement. You must complete both. See the Skills Pass guide for the extra steps that apply to your sector.
Free account — no payment needed
Track your pre-departure course progress, practice with flashcards, and get deadline reminders.
Good to know
If you are already in Malta on a valid permit and are renewing, the pre-departure course does not apply to you. However, Malta has introduced a separate in-country course for some renewal cases — see our permit renewal guide.
In-country course for existing workers
Malta has also introduced a new in-country integration course for workers already in Malta, tied to longer renewal periods in some cases. This is separate from the pre-departure course.
In-country course details evolving
The scope and mandatory nature of the in-country course are still being clarified. It is not yet certain whether it applies to all renewals or only specific cases. We will update this section as official guidance becomes clearer.
How to prepare
While waiting for the course to become available to you, you can prepare by familiarising yourself with Malta's employment laws, your rights as a worker, and practical aspects of daily life in Malta. Our Study Hub starts with a free sample and offers full prep plans with lessons, flashcards, and quizzes based on published course topics.
Test your knowledge
Here are two sample Study Hub questions. Can you answer them?
What is the maximum standard working week in Malta?
Show answer
48 hours per week, in line with the EU Working Time Directive. You may agree in writing to work beyond this, but you cannot be forced to.
Can you refuse unsafe work in Malta?
Show answer
Yes. You have the right to refuse work you believe poses a serious danger to your health or safety. You must inform your employer immediately and cannot be penalised for refusing.
Our Study Hub has 20 more flashcards and a full quiz covering all pre-departure topics.
Turn this into your document checklist
Build a checklist for your own situation, so nothing is missing when your employer files — and you can see what is still on you.
Open Trip CanvasBuild a free prep kit before you travel
Use the practical kit for first-time workers: study plan, document checklist, interview prompts, fee tracker, and reminders. No payment, no approval claims, and no hidden checkout.
This is preparation support only, not immigration advice or an approval guarantee.
Open the prep kitFrequently asked questions
Do I need the pre-departure course if I am renewing my permit?+
No. The mandatory pre-departure course applies only to first-time Single Permit applicants. If you are renewing an existing permit, you are not required to complete it. However, Malta has introduced a separate in-country integration course for some renewal cases — check the renewal guide for details.
Can I work in Malta before completing the pre-departure course?+
No. The pre-departure course must be completed before you travel to Malta for work. Your Single Permit will not be issued until the course and Phase 2 interview are passed. Travelling to Malta and working without completing the course would put your permit application at risk.
How long does the Malta pre-departure course take?+
The two online modules (Phase 1) take approximately 10–12 hours each, for a total of around 20–24 hours of study. The Phase 2 live interview is 20 minutes. You can complete Phase 1 at your own pace.
What happens if I fail the pre-departure course interview?+
Failure at the Phase 2 interview (the 20-minute live assessment) can result in your Single Permit application being rejected. You will need to rebook and repeat Phase 2. The exact appeals and retry process should be confirmed with Identità Malta directly.
Is the Skills Pass the same as the pre-departure course?+
No — they are separate requirements. The pre-departure course is mandatory for all first-time TCN Single Permit applicants regardless of sector. The Skills Pass is an additional requirement specifically for workers in tourism and hospitality. If you work in those sectors, you need both.
Is the Malta pre-departure course free?+
No, the pre-departure course is not free. The published fee is €250 on the Identità Malta pre-departure page. Skills Pass pages show €245 plus a separate €5 Phase 2 interview booking fee. There is a known inconsistency between these two figures — check the relevant official page for your case.
Where do I register for the Identità Malta pre-departure course?+
Registration is handled through the Identità Malta (Identità) pre-departure portal. You cannot self-enrol — access is triggered after your Single Permit application is accepted by Identità Malta. You will receive enrolment details by email or through your employer.
What is Phase 1 of the Malta pre-departure course?+
Phase 1 consists of two self-paced online modules, each approximately 10–12 hours. You study at your own pace and must pass the assessments in each module before moving on. Phase 1 must be completed before you can book the Phase 2 live interview.
What is Phase 2 of the Malta pre-departure course?+
Phase 2 is a 20-minute live interview conducted online after both Phase 1 modules are passed. A €5 booking fee applies when you schedule the interview. Passing Phase 2 gives you the completion certificate required for your Single Permit to be issued.
What language is the Malta pre-departure course in?+
The available languages for the pre-departure course have not been fully published as of April 2026. The course is expected to be available in English, as that is the primary administrative language for work permit processes in Malta. Check the Identità Malta portal for confirmed language options.
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Sources
- Single Permit - Pre-Departure CourseIdentità Malta (identita.gov.mt)Verified 2026-05-28
- Skills Pass – Tourism & HospitalitySkills Pass MaltaVerified 2026-05-28