Key facts
- What it is
- Combined work and residence permit
- Issued by
- Identità, with Jobsplus involved
- Legal maximum to decide
- Up to 4 months
- Fees (official guidance)
- €600 first application; renewals charged per year
Non-EU nationals who want to work in Malta generally need a Single Permit — one permit covering both residence and employment with a specific employer.
How it works
- A job offer from a Maltese employer.
- Labour market test — for many roles the employer must first advertise the vacancy (through Jobsplus and EURES) before hiring from outside the EU.
- Application to Identità — with the employer’s documents and yours: passport, contract, qualifications, health insurance and accommodation details.
- Decision — Identità states this may take up to four months.
- Residence card issued once approved.
Fees and renewals
Identità’s guidance lists a fee of €600 for a first application, with renewal fees charged per year of validity. Permits are usually issued for a year at a time; apply to renew before expiry.
Faster routes
Highly paid managers and specialists may qualify for the Key Employee Initiative, which skips the labour market test and is fast-tracked — see the KEI guide.
Family
Family reunification has its own requirements — see family reunification.
Rules change; check the latest position with Identità or an immigration adviser before you apply.
