Skills Pass vs Pre-Departure Course
These are separate Malta requirements. First-time Single Permit applicants may need the pre-departure course, while tourism and hospitality workers may also need the Skills Pass.
Last checked 30 April 2026
Do not swap one requirement for the other
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?
Quick comparison
Why the confusion happens
Skills Pass Malta The Skills Pass is sector-specific, while Identita Malta the pre-departure course is connected to first-time Single Permit entry. Both involve preparation and online steps, so applicants often hear one term and assume it covers the other.
Treat them as two separate checks: first ask whether you are a first-time applicant, then ask whether your sector is tourism or hospitality.
Sources
- Single Permit - Pre-Departure CourseIdentità Malta (identita.gov.mt)Verified 2026-05-28
- Skills Pass – Tourism & HospitalitySkills Pass MaltaVerified 2026-05-28