Malta Visa
Traveling to Malta
An island country in the Mediterranean, Malta offers ancient history, excellent nightlife, and beautiful beaches. Its linguistic cultural heritage is a unique blend of European, Arab, and African influences.
You may need a visa to travel to Malta, depending on where you are from (nationality), the length of your trip (duration of stay), and your reason for travel (type of visa needed). There are numerous types of visas for Malta, which are valid for travel for specific purposes and times. Different Malta visas have different Malta visa requirements and validity periods. In general, Malta visas can be divided into two main categories: short stay visas and long stay visas (a long stay visa for Malta is required for those looking to spend more than 90 days in the country). Another main distinction relates to allowed entries: a single entry will allow you just one entry into the country; a multiple entry visa for Malta will let you enter and exit as many times as needed.
Malta visa types
Transit Visa (Type A)
- Malta transit visa
Short Term Visas (Type C)
Schengen Visas
- Business
- Cultural
- Medical
- Official Visit
- Sports
- Study
- Tourism (Malta Tourist visa)
- Visiting Family or Friends
- Other
Long Term Visas (Type D, National)
Long stay visas to Malta allow you to stay in the country for up to one year. Long stay visas are available for the following purposes:
- Malta Student visa
- Malta Business visa — Malta Working Visa
- Family Reunification
- Golden Visa for Malta (not a traditional visa, a Golden Visa for Malta is a form of economic citizenship, which is available through investment)
Contact your relevant Malta Embassy/Consulate for other available types of long term visas to Malta
Malta visa requirements
The following documents are typically required for all visas to Malta:
Passport
Official, government-issued document, not older than 10 years, with the correct validity length (a minimum three months past the intended day of exit from Malta)
Visa fee
Your Malta visa fee will depend on the type of visa you are applying for, and possibly other factors, such as your age. Adult Schengen visas fees are traditionally €80; basic Malta national visa fees usually range from 70—100 EUR.
Personal photos
Two recently taken photos of the applicant. Photos should be passport style (and have passport dimensions).
Additional documents:
You will almost certainly have to submit additional documents on your Malta visa application. Requested documents are typically those which help visa authorities confirm your identity, determine the truthfulness of your stated purpose of travel, and assess your financial state. The type of Malta visa you apply for will determine your supplemental documents, which may include the following:
Biographical documents
Identity documents, such as your birth certificate
Financial materials
Documents showing your finances, such as your bank balance
Accommodation
Information about where you will stay in Malta
Educational materials
Proof of university education, etc.
Proof of medical insurance
Please note that all documents may need to be written in Maltese or English (or accompanied by official translations into either).
Malta visa application
Applicants for Malta visas should follow these general steps, which may vary slightly depending on numerous factors, including visa type and application destination.
- Prepare your visa application
Choose your visa duration
Determine how long you intend to be in Malta i.e. what type of Malta visa you need: long, short, or airport. This will determine how you proceed with the subsequent application steps.
Select your Malta visa purpose
Choose your reason for travel (tourism, business, etc.)
Select your entry category
Your selection of the single-entry visa for Malta or the multiple entry visa for Malta will determine whether or not you may travel in and out of the country/Schengen area throughout your visa period. Consider that holders of the single-entry visa for Malta cannot return to the country after exiting.
Determine where to apply
Find your physical application destination (place where you will submit your visa application). This is typically the Malta Embassy/Consulate or associated visa-application center where you live. For more information, see “where to apply.” - Fill out your visa application
Access your main application form
The Malta Schengen application form is available here.
Gather the rest of your documents
After printing, completing, and signing your above application form, you will gather your required documents as well as the supplemental ones required for your specific Malta visa type. - Schedule your visa interview appointment
Almost all visa applicants for Malta must attend a visa appointment at their application destination. Scheduling a Malta visa interview can take days, weeks, or even months. Reach out to your identified application destination directly (via email/phone) to make an appointment.
- Attend your visa interview
This is where you will submit your biometric information, pay your visa fee, be interviewed, and meet other in-person requirements pertaining to your visa type. This is typically the final stage of the Malta visa application process; you will either be granted a visa upon the conclusion of your appointment, receive a rejection, or leave to await a decision.
Please note that certain long term visas may require subsequent steps (for example, if you are applying for a long term Malta Business visa or a Malta Working visa you may need to apply for a Malta Work Permit, while a long term Malta Student visa requires a residence permit for Malta. For more information about whether your visa application will subsequently require you to seek a Malta Work Permit or a residence permit for Malta, make sure to research the specific visa requirements for your specific visa type.
Where to apply for Malta visa
Malta visa application processing occurs at Malta’s embassies and consulates (and their associated visa application centers) around the world. If you are outside of Malta and are applying for a Malta visa, you will apply through the Malta embassy/consulate or visa application center where you live. If there is no Malta mission in your country, you will likely apply for your Malta visa through the embassy/consulate of another country, which is representing Malta interests abroad.
When to apply for a Malta Visa
Applicants for short-stay visas to Malta are advised to submit their application a minimum of fourteen days before their intended trip. And while applying well in advance is recommended, applying too early (i.e. over six months before departure) is discouraged.
Malta visa processing time
The Malta visa application processing time varies. Factors which determine how long it will take to get your visa include the following:
- Malta visa type
- Application destination
- Your nationality
- The completeness of application
Depending on all of these factors, you could expect to receive a visa in days, weeks, or even months after you apply.
Malta visa FAQ
Depending on where you are from, you may need a visa to enter the country, regardless of how long you intend to stay. Some nationalities do not need a visa to travel to Malta. Regardless of your nationality, however, you will need a visa if you intend to stay in the country longer than 90 days and you are not an EU/EEA/Swiss citizen.
Get a travel document for Malta (visa) by submitting an application to your local Malta embassy/consulate/visa application center, meeting the visa requirements, and paying your visa fee.
The amount of money you need depends on the Schengen country you are visiting. You will likely need to show several months proof of salary/bank statements in order to meet the Schengen proof of funds requirement.
Choose from among the various types of Malta visa you need to apply for by considering your reason for travel and how long you want to stay in the country. These factors will determine the type of visa you need. In addition to visa type, you should also determine how many entries you need—i.e. whether you need a multiple entry visa for Malta or a single entry visa for Malta.
Rejected Schengen visa applicants can appeal the decision, reapply, or apply for another travel document for Malta (different Malta visa).
