Malta Pre-Departure Orientation Course

Since 1 March 2026, first-time third-country national applicants must complete a mandatory pre-departure course before travelling to Malta for work.

Official SourceLast updated 1 April 2026

What is the 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 — Each module involves approximately 10–12 hours of learning content.
Assessments — Each module includes assessments that must be passed.
Live interview — A 20-minute live interview after completing both modules.

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

Detailed syllabus not fully published

The exact syllabus and module content may not be fully detailed on public pages. If you are preparing for the course, check the official Identità Malta pre-departure course page for the most current information about content and registration.

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.

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.

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 below.

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 (coming soon) will offer practice materials based on the official course topics.

Sources

Official SourcePre-Departure Orientation CourseVerified 1 Apr 2026

Official SourceSkills Pass – Tourism & HospitalityVerified 1 Apr 2026

MaltaPathway is not a law firm, immigration consultancy, or government agency. The information on this page is based on publicly available official sources and is provided for informational purposes only. Immigration rules change — always verify with the relevant authority before making decisions. If your case is complex, consult a licensed immigration lawyer.