In this article, you can find all the most important information about Maltese visa types, documents you need to prepare, visa fees, application forms. In other words, you can read here everything you need to know about a Malta visa!
Traveling to Malta can be for different reasons such as traveling for holidays, to relax in this beautiful country, to work, to study or reside there permanently, so the reason for your visit has a key impact on the type of Maltese Visa you need. You should also know that since Malta is part of the European Union, you are allowed to move to the Schengen area.
Warning: The article is based on general rules, which may be temporarily changed due to COVID-19. Almost all countries decided to close their borders to some or all foreigners, so you’d better check the newest decisions of the Maltese government concerning traveling and entering Malta.
What documents do you need to prepare for the Maltese Schengen Visa?
First of all, you should download the Malta Visa application form and fill it. You are allowed to prepare it in an electronic version or you may print it. The next thing is preparing two identical biometric photos, which must qualify the following requirements:
- 45 mm of height and 35 mm of width;
- The photo must be taken en face - in the other words you have to stay in front of the camera and look straight into the lens;
- The picture must be in color, the recommended color of the background is light grey, so avoid clothes matching the background;
- Your head should take 70-80% of the photo;
- It is required to show a neutral facial expression, so you cannot smile and have your mouth closed.
You can find more information on our website about requirements and specifications for a Maltese Schengen Visa photo.
Another important document to get a Maltese Schengen Visa is your passport and copies of your previous visas - if they existed. Next, you should provide a travel medical insurance confirmation of a minimum of 30,000 € coverage within Malta and the entire Schengen area. The other documents you need to prepare are:
- proof of civil status;
- a flight ticket reservation;
- a copy of your return-ticket reservation;
- a visa cover letter, where you should explain the reason for your visit;
- proof of accommodation for your entire stay in Malta.
It is required due to the Regulation (Ec) No 810/2009 of The European Parliament and of The Council of 13 July 2009, the Embassy or Consulate of the Schengen country where you plan traveling to will ask you about confirmation your financial status to verify you will be able to travel or reside abroad. It could be a credit card, cash, a personal bank statement, proof of employment, or if you have sponsorship, and others. Every country in the Schengen area has its regulations in this matter, and Malta requires a 48€/day for the period of stay. So if you want to travel to Malta for 7 days alone, you have to show you have 336€ in your bank account or more.
However, if you are employed, you have to show an employment contract, current bank statement of the latest 6 months, a certificate from the employer they do not have any objection about your travel to Malta, and a Certificate of Income Tax deducted at the source of salary. If you are self-employed, you need to prepare a copy of your business license, a bank statement of the latest 6 months, and an Income Tax Return (ITR). Students must show their approval letter from the school or university and proof of enrollment. Retired people may be asked for a pension statement of the latest 6 months.
Additional documents required for the most frequent purposes of Malta Visa Application
The required documents you need to submit to the Maltese embassy or consulate depend on the type of visa you apply for. There are a few types of visas you can apply for with different additional requirements, and make sure to apply for one depending on your purpose of travel.
Malta Tourist Schengen Visa additional requirements
If you are going to visit Malta for visiting reasons, you should apply for a Malta Tourist Schengen Visa. This kind of permission to enter the country requires some additional requirements:
- A bank statement of the last six months;
- Copy of your passport;
- The invitation letter from a family member or sponsor in Malta - must contain the full address and phone number of a citizen of Malta, who invites you to visit (optional).
Malta Visa for Business Purposes
If you are going to Malta for business reasons, you have to prepare some extra documents to get a Malta Visa for Business Purposes. You can find a complete list of them below:
- An invitation letter from Maltese company - it must contain details concerning your visit and full address of the company;
- If it is not the first contact with companies, you have to prove previous relationships;
- A certificate from your current employer allowing your business travel;
- A business bank statement of the last six months;
- The information about the applicant’s expenses for their visit to the Schengen Zone (who are going to pay - a company’s employer or partner in Malta?)
Malta Visa for Medical Purposes
If you are going to visit Malta for medical reasons, you need to prove it too, by sharing a local medical report concerning your health, a medical attestation from the hospital in Malta, which confirms the date of the treatment, and a description of your medical situation, and confirmation of paying fees for treatment.
Malta Visa for Cultural, Sports, Film Crew or Religious Purposes
This is a special type of Maltese Schengen Visa for people involved in cultural or sports events, film crew, or religious purposes, which takes place in Malta. In this case, you need to prepare an invitation letter with details concerning the event or the activity like date, expenses, names of applicants, and so on. It is also important to present the duration and itinerary of visiting Malta.
Malta Visa for Members of Official Delegations
Officials from countries that are not members of the Schengen Area also need to get a Maltese Visa. It is prepared a special kind of permission for diplomats. They have to submit the official copy of the invitation, plan of the journey (like events, meetings, etc.), the identity of applicants, and duration of staying in Malta. It is required to prove the place of stay during the visit as well.
Malta Visa for Study, Training, Research, or other types of Internship Purposes
The other type of Maltese Schengen Visa is prepared for people coming to Malta for study, training, research, or other types of internship purposes. This visa allows entering the country for people, which are going to improve their skills. They must submit a confirmation they are taking part in the course, a confirmation they have sufficient funds to accommodate and eat or prove it is assured by organizers, and a certificate of completion or courses attended.
Malta Visa For The Wife/Husband of a Maltese citizen
If your partner - wife or husband - is a Maltese citizen, you can also get a visa. First of all, you have to prepare citizenship evidence by showing a copy of him or her ID Card, consular card, or certification of Maltese nationality or naturalization order. The other things you need are a Maltese marriage certificate and a Maltese family record book.
Malta Airport Transit Visa
If you have a connecting flight via the Malta International Airport, you may need a Maltese Airport Transit Visa, which allows you to land and wait for the next flight in a Maltese airport. In this case, you need to prepare two additional documents: a visa or other type of permission to enter the transit country and a copy of your valid visa of the final destination.
Malta Visa for Underage Children
The last quite important type of Maltese Schengen Visa is permission for underage children. To get this visa for your child, you have to prove your good financial situation by submitting a bank statement or employee contract. Secondly, you should provide notarized travel permission from his/her parents. Keep in mind that you have to go to an embassy or a consulate with your child.
Where to Apply for a Visa to Malta?
First of all, you must apply for a Schengen Visa if Malta is the destination of your travel. If you have a valid Schengen Visa from another member country, you are allowed to visit Malta.
We have prepared a guide for some countries, where you should apply to get a Maltese Schengen Visa.
Applying for Visa to Malta in Algeria
You can apply for a Maltese Schengen Visa in Algiers and Oran.
Applying for Visa to Malta in Australia
Australian passport holders can visit Malta without a visa, but if you have an Australian passport and you are a foreigner residing in Australia, you might be forced to get a visa. The best option is to contact the Malta High Commission in Canberra, the Consulate of Malta in Melbourne, or the Consulate of Malta in Sydney.
Applying for Visa to Malta in Canada
This is the same situation as above where despite having a passport if you are a foreigner residing in Canada, you may need a visa. We suggest contacting the Consulate General of Malta in Toronto. Everybody, who wants to get a visa, must book an appointment at the Consulate.
Applying for Visa to Malta in China
If you are a Chinese citizen, you can apply for a Maltese Schengen Visa at one of the application centers in Beijing, Changsha, Chengdu, Chongqing, Fuzhou, Guangzhou, Hangzhou, Jinan, Kunming, Nanjing, Shanghai, Shenyang, Wuhan, and Xian.
Other countries
If in your country Malta does not have a consulate or embassy, you should visit the official Maltese website concerning foreign travelers.
Can I extend my temporary visa to Malta?
Yes, your Maltese Schengen Visa can be extended, but only in exceptional cases. More information you can find on a special Maltese website.
Do I have to provide biometric data (fingerprints) every time I apply for a Malta visa?
You do not have to submit your fingerprints if you get a visa within 59 months before. Once this period has passed your fingerprints will be collected again.
