Malta:Visa Requirements

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Malta Visa Requirements Map

Malta: Visa Requirements

Visa requirements may change. Always verify the latest information through official government sources.

Visa-Free Entry Requirements

  • The total permitted duration of stay for visa-free short visits is a maximum of 90 days within any 180-day period. The traveler must hold a valid passport or an acceptable travel document covered by the exemption. Since some exemptions depend on a biometric passport or specific travel document features, it must be additionally checked whether the exemption covers the type of passport used.
  • At border control, an explanation or supporting documents regarding the purpose of travel, planned duration of stay, accommodation arrangement and travel conditions may be requested. The traveler must be able to demonstrate that they have sufficient means of subsistence. The exact daily amount or minimum total amount applicable for financial adequacy is not specified definitively in the central official source.
  • Submission of false or forged information and documents, inability to explain the conditions of stay, failure to demonstrate sufficient financial means, or reasons related to security and public order may lead to refusal of entry. Visa exemption does not grant an automatic and unconditional right of entry.
  • The universal minimum validity period that a passport must have for visa-free entry is not specified definitively in the central official source. The required number of blank passport pages is also not specified definitively in the central official source. A single central Malta checklist applicable to all visa-free travelers for a round-trip ticket, accommodation document, minimum amount in a bank account and the coverage amount of travel health insurance has not been published.

Consular Visa Application Requirements — Short-stay Schengen C visa

  • The Schengen C visa is used for short visits of up to 90 days within any 180-day period. When Malta is the sole or main destination of the travel, the application is assessed by the Maltese authorities. If Malta does not have a representation at the applicant's place of residence, the application may be submitted to the consulate of another Schengen state representing Malta or to an authorised application centre.
  • As a rule, the application must be submitted to the competent Maltese representation in the country where the applicant legally resides. To apply from another country, a valid residence permit in that country is generally required. Applications from persons who are legally present but not resident may be processed only if the justification provided is considered consistent and credible.
  • The application must be submitted no earlier than six months and no later than 15 calendar days before the planned travel. The standard processing time is 15 calendar days. When additional documents or detailed examination are required, the processing time may be extended up to 45 calendar days.
  • The official and free Schengen application form must be completed in full. Surname, surname at birth and given name must be written in the same way as in the travel document. The form requests personal information, contact details, national identity number if existent, travel document type and details, occupation or education details, purpose of travel, main destination, first point of entry, number of entries, travel dates, previous biometric data and information on the person covering travel expenses.
  • The form must also state the name, address, e-mail address and telephone number of the inviting person or accommodation; for business trips, the information of the inviting company and contact person; and whether expenses are covered by the applicant or a sponsor. If another country is the final destination, entry permit or visa information for that country, if existent, must be written on the form.
  • The form must be signed by the applicant, indicating place and date. For applications of minors, the information and signature of the person exercising parental authority or legal guardian are requested. The form in which the birth certificate, parental consent and custody documents must be submitted varies according to the checklist of the representation assessing the application.
  • The photograph area on the application form is 3.50 × 4.50 centimetres. The number of photographs, background colour, maximum date of capture, file format and other technical specifications for the short-stay visa are not specified definitively in the central official source. These details must be verified from the current checklist of the representation or authorised centre accepting the application.
  • The passport validity must extend at least three months after the planned date of departure from the Schengen area. The required number of blank passport pages, which pages of the passport are to be copied, and detailed acceptance criteria for damaged passports are not specified definitively in the central official source.
  • The applicant must apply in person unless exempted. The taking of a photograph and, where required, the provision of fingerprints are mandatory for the examination of the application. Previously provided fingerprints may, as a rule, be reused for 59 months. Even within this period, biometrics may be requested again for identity verification or technical reasons.
  • The exact list of documents is determined by the diplomatic representation processing the application. Documents must generally prove the purpose of travel, sufficient financial means, accommodation covering the entire stay, and the intention to return to the country of residence. On the official form, travel document, proof of means of subsistence, invitation, travel health insurance and proof of transport are indicated among supporting document items.
  • Round-trip flight reservation or transport plan, hotel reservation or other accommodation document, bank statement, employment or student certificate, company documents, invitation letter and sponsor documents may be requested according to the checklist of the representation relevant to the purpose of travel. The number of months that the bank statement must cover and the minimum amount required in the account are not specified definitively in the central official source.
  • The exact minimum coverage amount of travel health insurance is not specified definitively in the central official source. Applicants for a multiple-entry visa accept the obligation to have adequate travel health insurance for the first trip and subsequent trips.
  • If the applicant will stay at the sponsor's private accommodation in Malta or will be financially supported by the sponsor, the Sponsor Accommodation and Financial Support Declaration is mandatory. The sponsor must complete the declaration. The sponsor's signature must be witnessed and certified by a licensed notary or lawyer; the notary or lawyer must sign and stamp the document. The sponsor must also submit additional documents proving his/her status and financial or accommodation support.
  • The standard short-stay visa fee is 90 euros for adults and 45 euros for children between six and 12 years old. No fee is charged for children under six years old. The fee is zero for certain family members covered by free movement provisions. A fee of 35 euros may apply for applications under a visa facilitation agreement. An additional service fee may be charged for applications submitted through an authorised external service provider. Accepted payment methods vary by application location and are not specified definitively in the central official source.
  • The visa may be issued for single, double or multiple entries. Multiple-entry visa is generally granted to applicants who have previously used Schengen visas in compliance with the rules. Although the validity of a multiple-entry visa may extend up to five years, the 90/180-day limit must be observed for each short stay. The granting of a visa does not constitute an unconditional right of entry into the country; entry conditions are rechecked at the border.

National Long-stay D Visa

  • The national D visa must be obtained before travel and before arrival in Malta for stays longer than 90 days and up to a maximum of 365 days. The application procedure varies according to the applicant's nationality, country of residence and purpose of stay. The application may be conducted through a diplomatic representation, an authorised visa application centre or, in specific cases, via Identità's long-stay visa procedure.
  • Common documents include the completed and signed long-stay visa form. The passport must be valid for at least three months after the end of the planned long stay or have a validity of at least eight months, and must not be older than ten years. The required number of blank passport pages is not specified definitively in the central official source.
  • One recent passport-sized photograph conforming to ICAO standards must be submitted. The exact dimensions, background colour, maximum date of capture and digital file specifications of the photograph are not specified definitively in the general long-stay visa policy.
  • The applicant must provide travel health insurance valid in Malta for the entire duration of the visa and covering all medical possibilities. The minimum monetary coverage amount of the insurance is not specified definitively in the central official source.
  • Proof of accommodation covering at least the first month of the planned stay, proof of sufficient financial means and a provisionally reserved flight ticket must be submitted. The number of months that the bank statement must cover and the minimum financial amount to be demonstrated are not specified definitively in the central official source.
  • For work applications, an employer letter showing the employer's name, address and telephone number as well as the applicant's position, duration of employment and salary is requested. Additionally, a work licence issued by Jobsplus or a pre-approval letter issued by Identità and valid at the date of application must be submitted. An accommodation document or a notarised Sponsor Accommodation and Financial Support Declaration along with a copy of the host's identity document may also be requested.
  • For study applications, an original acceptance letter from the educational institution in Malta indicating the content or name of the programme, its duration, fee and that payment has been made is required. Persons currently in full-time education are requested to provide a letter from their current educational institution explaining the programme information.
  • For family reunification applications, a family reunification document issued by Identità, the main sponsor's bank statement, original marriage and birth certificates legalised in the country of origin, a notarised or lawyer-certified invitation letter prepared by the spouse in Malta, and passport copies of the relevant family members may be requested.
  • For business-purpose long-stay applications, the Sponsor Accommodation and Financial Support Declaration together with a copy of the host's identity document, the inviting company's incorporation documents and documents proving the commercial relationship between the parties are required. For medical-purpose applications, a health report signed by a specialist doctor is requested. For children or dependent family members, a birth certificate and records of money transfers or similar transactions demonstrating financial dependence may be requested.
  • Certain birth and marriage certificates under family reunification must be legalised in the country of origin. There are situations where notary or lawyer certification may be required for invitation letters and sponsor declarations. The translation language, notarisation, apostille or additional legalisation requirements of documents must be verified according to the visa purpose and the specific checklist of the authority accepting the application.
  • In the premium procedure applied for locations where there is no diplomatic representation, the applicant forwards to Identità the pre-approval letter for work or family reunification, or the registration letter for study, and the e-mail address of the authorised representative. With the provided personal access code, the documents are uploaded to the online portal. After the documents are checked, 300 euros is paid and the passport is sent with the provided shipping label. An interview may be conducted during the examination. The process and return of the passport generally take six to eight weeks.
  • In the extended procedure used in selected countries, an appointment is made at an authorised visa application centre; the applicant goes to the centre in person and submits his/her documents and passport. The central examination may generally take approximately four weeks, and the entire process may take approximately six to eight weeks. An interview may be conducted.
  • The long-stay visa fee varies according to the scope of the application. Children under six years old are exempt from the fee. Paid fees are not refunded in the event of withdrawal or refusal of the application. Application centre service fees are not included in the visa fee and do not exceed the equivalent of 150 euros according to the published general policy. Generally accepted payment methods are not specified definitively in the central official source.
  • The visa holder must enter Malta within the validity period written on the visa. Depending on the purpose of stay, it may be necessary to apply for a residence permit after arrival in the country. The visa may be cancelled if the visa holder goes beyond the permitted activities, submits false information or documents, no longer meets the conditions, or poses a risk to public security and order. Universal conditions regarding whether the national D visa is issued for single or multiple entries are not specified definitively in the central official source.

Transit Visa Requirements

  • An airport transit visa permits transit through the international transit areas of Schengen airports. This visa is not a short-stay visit visa that allows the traveler to pass through external border control and enter Malta or another Schengen country.
  • The official Schengen form must be used for the application and airport transit must be selected as the purpose of travel. On the form, personal and contact details, travel document details, main and final destinations, first point of entry, transit dates, requested number of entries and previously provided fingerprint information must be written.
  • If a visa or entry permit is required for the final destination country, the authority issuing this permit and the validity dates of the permit must be recorded on the form. Transport proof showing the onward flight or transport to the subsequent country must be submitted. On the official form, travel document, proof of means of subsistence, invitation, travel health insurance and proof of transport are among the supporting document fields; however, which of these are mandatory in a transit application is determined according to the itinerary and the checklist of the representation assessing the application.
  • The application must be submitted to the Maltese representation responsible for the applicant's legal place of residence, to another Schengen consulate representing Malta, or to an authorised application centre. The rules for in-person application and fingerprints apply, except where applicable exemptions exist.
  • The exact minimum passport validity period, required number of blank pages, number of photographs and technical specifications, financial adequacy amount, insurance coverage, application fee and separate processing time for the transit visa are not specified definitively in the central official source. These details must be verified from the itinerary-specific checklist of the representation accepting the application.
Population
549,011(2026 est.)
Official language
Maltese, English
Government type
Parliamentary republic
Continent
Europe
Capital
Valletta
Currency
Euro
Area
316 km²
Phone code
+356

Malta: Key Destinations

Valletta, the capital, is the primary gateway with Malta International Airport providing direct connections to major European cities. The fortified city and its Grand Harbour define the historic core. Key urban centers include Sliema and St. Julian's along the northeast coast.

Malta's cultural heritage spans prehistoric temples and Baroque architecture, with the walled city of Mdina offering a medieval atmosphere. The island of Gozo provides a tranquil rural escape, while Comino's Blue Lagoon is a popular natural attraction. Business and education hubs cluster around the University of Malta in Msida.

Travelers often base themselves in the Valletta or Sliema area for convenient access to bus routes and ferry services. Day trips to Gozo and Comino are easily arranged via regular ferries from Ċirkewwa. The compact size allows visitors to explore multiple historic sites within short distances.