Maltese Citizenship & Residency Services
Legal assistance with Malta’s residency and citizenship framework and the relevant application processes.
Explore the serviceImmigration
Immigration Lawyer in Malta for Individuals and Employers
Immigration support for individuals, families, employers, and international businesses relocating to Malta.
Areas of support include
- Single Permit
- Change of Employer
- Change of Job or Designation
Initial enquiry
Tell us about your matter
Submission does not confirm acceptance, representation or engagement.
At a glance
Structured Guidance for Expatriates and Employers
Immigration services in Malta assist employers and international individuals with navigating work and residence authorizations under the Immigration Act (Cap. 217). Key routes include the Single Work Permit, Key Employee Initiative (KEI), Specialist Employee Initiative (SEI), Malta Nomad Residence Permit, and EU residence registrations through Identità.
Reviewed by Dr Josianne Cardona Gatt, Advocate (Malta)Last reviewed
Key takeaways
- Assistance with employer-sponsored Single Work Permit applications via Identità and Jobsplus.
- Fast-track processing routes for highly specialized roles under the Key Employee Initiative (KEI).
- Nomad Residence Permits for remote professionals and digital entrepreneurs.
- Family reunification applications and residency appeals before the Immigration Appeals Board.
Immigration and Relocation Context
Advice shaped around the circumstances.
Navigating immigration regulations in Malta requires careful coordination between prospective employers, expatriate employees, and statutory authorities including Identità and Jobsplus. The practice provides clear, procedural counsel to ensure full statutory compliance.
We assist companies recruiting international talent, digital nomads seeking European residence, and families relocating to Malta, providing end-to-end guidance from initial eligibility assessment through to document submission and permit issuance.
What’s included
Work permits, residence and immigration problems
Organised around the situations people and employers actually face, for non-EU workers and EU nationals alike. Select an area to see what it covers.
Single Permit
- First-time Single Permit
- Still Abroad applications
- Single Permit renewal
- Single Permit documentation review
- Employer-side Single Permit assistance
- Employee-side legal guidance
- Authority correspondence
- Delayed or pending application support
Change of Employer
- Change-of-employer applications
- Advice before leaving an employer
- Legal implications of termination
- Support after employer termination
- New-employer documentation
- Change-of-employer correspondence
Change of Job or Designation
- Promotion or new role
- Change of designation
- Changed employment terms affecting a permit
- Renewal following a role change
Job Loss & Termination
- Employer terminated the worker
- Worker resigned
- Single Permit after employment termination
- Advice on remaining legally in Malta
- New-employer applications
- Grace-period guidance
- Permit revocation issues
- Jobsplus termination problems
- Identità correspondence
Single Permit Refusals & Appeals
- Refused applications
- Review of refusal reasons
- Immigration Appeals Board matters
- Preparation of appeal documentation
- Supporting evidence
- Legal submissions
- Revocation matters
Visa Problems
- Visa applications
- Visa refusals
- Visa revocations
- Visa appeal support
- Document preparation
- Authority correspondence
Other Employment Routes
- Key Employee Initiative
- Specialist Employee Initiative
- EU Blue Card
- Highly skilled employment applications
- Intra-Corporate Transfer
- Seasonal workers
- Employment under six months
- Self-employed TCN applications
- Researchers
- Live-in carers
- Secondary employment licences where applicable
Employer Immigration Support
- Employing TCN workers
- Single Permit employer applications
- Employer registration
- Jobsplus requirements
- Employment licence matters
- Engagement documentation
- Termination documentation
- Change-of-employer procedures
- Immigration compliance
- Employee-file compliance
- Pre-departure documentation
EU & EEA Nationals
- EU residence registration
- Employment-based residence
- Self-employment residence
- Self-sufficient residence
- Family-member residence
- Residence-card issues
- Change of address
- Lost or damaged cards
- Employment registration guidance
- Jobsplus-related employment matters
EU Nationals Who Lose Their Job
- Jobseeker-status guidance
- Change of residence basis
- Jobsplus jobseeker registration
- Residence-document advice
- New employment registration
Residence & Family
- Residence permits
- Family reunification
- Digital nomad residence applications
- Long-term residence
- Representation before the competent authorities
Reference
Summary of Core Maltese Immigration Routes (Identità)
| Immigration Pathway | Target Applicant | Key Eligibility Requirement | Competent Authority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single Work Permit | Third-Country National (TCN) employees | Valid job offer, labour market clearance, lease agreement | Identità & Jobsplus |
| Key Employee Initiative (KEI) | Managerial & specialized professionals | Min. gross annual salary €35,000, specialized credentials | Identità Expatriates Unit |
| Specialist Employee Initiative (SEI) | Non-EU technical specialists | Min. gross annual salary €25,000, technical qualifications | Identità Expatriates Unit |
| Nomad Residence Permit | Remote workers & digital nomads | Min. gross monthly income €3,500, remote employment/clients | Residency Malta Agency |
| EU/EEA Residence Registration | EU/EEA/Swiss citizens and family | Employment, self-employment, or economic self-sufficiency | Identità EU Section |
A Diligent Four-Step Immigration Process
Pathway Assessment
Evaluating candidate qualifications, salary benchmarks, and employer eligibility under current Identità policies.
Documentation Collation
Reviewing contracts, lease agreements, police conduct certificates, and apostilled/legalized documents.
Official Submission & Tracking
Filing through official portals and tracking progression through Police Immigration and Jobsplus reviews.
Biometrics & Permit Collection
Assisting the applicant through identity verification, biometric appointments, and physical residence card issuance.
Who We Advise
Clients Supported
- Maltese employers and international corporate groups hiring foreign personnel
- Third-Country National (TCN) professionals and executives
- Remote workers, digital entrepreneurs, and freelancers
- EU and non-EU citizens establishing permanent relocation in Malta
- Expatriate families seeking dependent residence permits
Common questions
Immigration in Malta: common questions
Short answers about this service and how enquiries are handled. For advice on your own circumstances, contact the practice.
What is the Single Work Permit in Malta?
The Single Work Permit is a combined authorization granted by Identità in consultation with Jobsplus that allows a Third-Country National to legally reside and work for a specific employer in Malta.
What are the benefits of the Key Employee Initiative (KEI)?
The Key Employee Initiative provides an expedited application service (typically finalized within 5 working days from submission of complete documentation) for highly skilled managerial and technical roles meeting salary and qualification criteria.
Can remote workers live in Malta under the Nomad Residence Permit?
Yes. Non-EU individuals who work remotely for an employer registered outside Malta, or who offer freelance/consulting services to foreign clients and earn a minimum gross monthly income of €3,500, can apply for a one-year renewable Nomad Residence Permit.
What happens if a Single Work Permit application is refused?
Applicants and employers have the legal right to file a formal appeal before the Immigration Appeals Board within the statutory timeframe specified in the refusal notification.
Official sources
Maltese authorities and sources
Published 15 January 2024 · Updated 15 August 2024 · Reviewed by Dr Josianne Cardona Gatt
- Identità (Expatriates Unit)(opens in a new tab)
Ministry for Home Affairs
Government agency responsible for citizenship, residence, and work permit authorisations.
- Jobsplus Malta(opens in a new tab)
State of Malta
National employment agency regulating labour market testing and work licences.
- Legislation Malta - Immigration Act (Cap. 217)(opens in a new tab)
State of Malta
Primary statute governing the entry, residence, and status of aliens in Malta.
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Discuss Your Relocation or Work Permit Requirements
Contact the practice to discuss employer work permits, Nomad Residence, or expatriate relocation in Malta.