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Independent Malta immigration reference · Verified against official guidance

Malta·Pathway

TCN · Work + Residence

Malta Single
Permit 2026

The combined work and residence permit for third-country nationals — requirements, employer steps, documents, fees, timeline, the pre-departure course, and the change-of-employer rules.

Verified against Identità Malta + Jobsplus
Last checked 30 May 2026

At a glance

What it isOne permit covering the right to reside and the right to work.
FeeEUR 600 first-time · EUR 150 per renewal year.
ProcessingUp to four months, per Identità and Jobsplus.
Pre-departure courseMandatory for first-time applicants from 1 Mar 2026.
Who appliesYour employer files it; you confirm and add documents.
On approvalCollect a residence card in Malta, usually valid one year.

Fees

Identità Malta currently lists these figures. Treat older cached amounts as stale until the official Working & Residing page is checked again.

Single Permit — official fees (EUR)
Permit eventFee (EUR)BasisNotes
First-time Single Permit600one-offNew application, filed and paid by the employer.
Renewal150per yearCharged for each renewal year.
Change of employer600one-offA new application is required to move sponsor.

Fee safety

Do not pay fees to intermediaries or agents who are not authorised. The official fees are published by Identità Malta. If an employer, recruiter, or agent gives you a different amount, ask for the official source before paying.

Sponsored

The process, step by step

The application follows a fixed sequence. Timelines vary, but the order does not.

Step01

Employer submits the application

Your employer files the Single Permit application with Identità Malta, including supporting documents and the applicable fee. You cannot file it yourself.

Step02

You confirm and provide documents

You confirm the application and provide your personal documents — passport, photographs, health insurance, and police clearance.

Step03

Complete the pre-departure course

Since 1 March 2026, first-time applicants must complete the mandatory pre-departure orientation course before travelling to Malta.

Step04

Decision by Identità and stakeholders

Identità Malta processes the application with the other stakeholders — this may take up to four months. Do not start work until the permit or approval route allows it.

Step05

Collect your residence card

Once approved, you travel to Malta and collect your residence card from Identità Malta. First-time permits are typically valid for one year.

Do not start early

Jobsplus warns it is illegal to employ a third-country national before the permit or approval has been issued. Do not quit a job, end a lease, or book non-refundable travel based only on an expected approval date.

Documents you will need

Requirements vary by nationality, sector, and case. This is the commonly required set, based on published Identità Malta guidance.

Valid passport, with sufficient validity
Passport-sized photographs
Employment contract or offer letter
Health insurance coverage
Police clearance / criminal record certificate
Proof of accommodation in Malta
Proof of qualifications, where applicable
Pre-departure course certificate, from 1 Mar 2026

This list may not be complete

Always verify the current requirements directly with Identità Malta or your employer before preparing documents. The pre-departure course requirement applies to first-time applicants from 1 March 2026.

After approval

Once approved, you travel to Malta and collect your residence card from Identità Malta. The card is typically valid for one year for first-time permits, though longer durations may apply in some cases.

Your Single Permit ties you to a specific employer. To move to a new employer you must go through a change-of-employer process, which is a fresh application with its own EUR 600 fee.

Related guides

Sources

Every figure on this page traces to official Maltese guidance. Last checked 30 May 2026.