Malta
Malta's single permit is applied for by the employer; the applicant cannot submit it themselves. The permit is tied to one employer and one designation, and a change to either voids it immediately, whatever validity date the document shows.
How the system works
Step 1: The employer files it — you cannot apply yourself
A third-country national cannot submit a single permit application directly; the prospective employer must apply online on their behalf. The employer must be a company registered and operating in Malta and registered with Jobsplus. Until you have an offer from such an employer, there is no step on this route you can advance yourself.
Step 2: Check that where you are is one the unit will accept
The Expatriates Unit will only proceed with applications where, at the time of application, you are either still in your country of residence, or hold legal status in Malta through a valid residence permit or visa. Separately, people residing in the Schengen area including Malta as beneficiaries of protection — refugee, subsidiary and temporary humanitarian protection, including those awaiting a decision — are not eligible to apply for a Single Permit.
Step 3: Note the timelines, and that an ineligible application is not refunded
Subsidiary Legislation 217.17 allows four months to process a single permit application, though the average is closer to two months from submission with all required documents. If it emerges during processing that the applicant is not eligible under that legislation, the application is refused with no recourse to a refund. After an Approval in Principle letter, anyone needing a Schengen visa must present it with their visa application at a Maltese embassy or consulate within 180 days of receiving it.
identita.gov.mt/application-processing-periodidentita.gov.mt/who-is-eligible
Step 4: Know what the permit is tied to — changing employer or role voids it
The permit issued to a non-EU national is specific to the employer and the designation applied for, as listed on the residence document. A change in either renders the permit null and void irrespective of the validity date shown on it, and a new application is needed. Holders also may not carry out paid duties assigned by parties other than the identified employer, do unauthorised work unrelated to the employment activity stated in the application, or be assigned duties outside Maltese territory.
identita.gov.mt/change-of-designation-or-employeridentita.gov.mt/single-permit
Key requirements and figures
Figures change. Each row shows the period it applies to and the source it came from.
| Requirement | Current value | Applies to | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Who files the application | A third-country national cannot apply directly; the prospective employer applies online on their behalf | 2026 | identita.gov.mt/who-is-eligible · reviewed 2026-09-06 |
| Requirements on the employer | A company registered and operating in Malta, and registered with Jobsplus | 2026 | identita.gov.mt/who-is-eligible · reviewed 2026-09-06 |
| What the permit is and how long it runs | A temporary permit authorising legal residence and employment in Malta for a defined period of over six months, renewable; the single application procedure incorporates both an employment licence and a residence permit | 2026 | identita.gov.mt/single-permit · reviewed 2026-09-06 |
| Where the applicant must be | Either still in the country of residence at the time of application, or holding legal status in Malta by means of a valid residence permit or visa | 2026 | identita.gov.mt/who-is-eligible · reviewed 2026-09-06 |
| Who is not eligible | People residing in the Schengen area including Malta as beneficiaries of protection — refugee, subsidiary and temporary humanitarian protection — including those awaiting a decision | 2026 | identita.gov.mt/who-is-eligible · reviewed 2026-09-06 |
| Processing time | Subsidiary Legislation 217.17 allows four months; the average is closer to two months from submission with all required documents | 2026 | identita.gov.mt/application-processing-period · reviewed 2026-09-06 |
| Fees where the applicant is ineligible | If it emerges during processing that the applicant is not eligible under Subsidiary Legislation 217.17, the application is refused with no recourse to a refund | 2026 | identita.gov.mt/who-is-eligible · reviewed 2026-09-06 |
| Deadline on the Approval in Principle letter | Anyone needing a Schengen visa must present the Approval in Principle letter with their visa application at a Maltese embassy or consulate within 180 days of receiving it | 2026 | identita.gov.mt/who-is-eligible · reviewed 2026-09-06 |
| What the permit is tied to | Specific to the employer and the designation applied for; a change in either renders the permit null and void irrespective of the validity date shown, and a new application is needed | 2026 | identita.gov.mt/change-of-designation-or-employer · reviewed 2026-09-06 |
| Restrictions while holding the permit | You may not carry out paid duties assigned by parties other than the identified employer, do unauthorised work unrelated to the employment activity stated in the application, or be assigned duties outside Maltese territory | 2026 | identita.gov.mt/single-permit · reviewed 2026-09-06 |
What commonly blocks an application
These are frequent reasons a route is closed. Absence of a listed problem is not an eligibility decision.
Trying to file the application yourself. A third-country national cannot submit a single permit application directly; the employer must.
An employer not registered with Jobsplus, or not a company registered and operating in Malta.
Being neither in your country of residence nor holding legal status in Malta at the time of application. The Expatriates Unit proceeds only in those two situations.
Residing in the Schengen area as a beneficiary of protection. Refugee, subsidiary and temporary humanitarian protection beneficiaries, and those awaiting a decision, are not eligible.
Changing employer or designation after approval without a new application. Either change voids the permit immediately, regardless of the validity date on the document.
Missing the 180-day deadline to use the Approval in Principle letter for a visa application.
Reviewed programs
- Malta EU Blue Card — Malta's EU Blue Card is issued under Subsidiary Legislation 217.27, the Highly Qualified Employment Regulations, implementing Directive (EU) 2021/1883, and is separate from the general Single Permit under S.L. 217.17. It requires a university degree at MQF Level 6 or higher or at least five years of proven professional experience, a binding employment contract or job offer of at least six months, and a salary of at least 1.5 times the average gross annual salary in Malta. A first card runs up to 24 months and a renewal up to 36; a holder who loses the job has three months to find another that meets Blue Card criteria.
- Malta Single Permit — For third-country nationals with a Maltese job offer whose employer submits the combined employment and residence application.
Official sources
- Official non-EU employment portalIdentità Malta · Reviewed 2026-09-03
- Single PermitIdentità (Expatriates Unit), Malta · Reviewed 2026-09-06
- Single Permit — Who is eligibleIdentità (Expatriates Unit), Malta · Reviewed 2026-09-06
- Single Permit — Application processing periodIdentità (Expatriates Unit), Malta · Reviewed 2026-09-06
- Change of designation or employerIdentità (Expatriates Unit), Malta · Reviewed 2026-09-06
This page provides general educational information, not personalized immigration or legal advice. Confirm current requirements with the responsible government authority before acting.