Malta’s government is providing work permits for skilled workers from outside of Europe, such as Nigerians, through the ‘Specialist Employee Initiative’, which offers a fast-track application process for skilled foreign workers in Malta. This is in response to the EU state’s need to address its shortage of skilled labor.
The government launched a program in January to help firms find highly qualified foreign workers and gain access to a larger global talent pool. According to the Times of Malta, those who have completed their education and are competent for technical or managerial roles with an annual remuneration of at least €25,000 are among the people who might apply for this opportunity.
Malta is a member of the Schengen area, a collection of nations that have eliminated immigration and passport requirements at their shared borders. Passengers’ passports won’t be scrutinized when they enter or exit Schengen areas, but they may be required to show additional documentation to immigration officials.
Who Can Apply?
Only nationals of third countries who have a signed contract with a business that is registered in Malta can apply for the SEI.
The Specialist Employee Initiative (SEI) is for highly skilled nationals outside of Europe who possess the necessary academic, vocational, or technical abilities per their employment offer in Malta. The position secured must have an annual gross salary of at least €25,000.
Applicants must either have a relevant bachelor’s degree or higher, relevant educational qualifications (even if such qualifications are lower than a bachelor’s degree), and at least three years of relevant professional experience. Proof of experience must be presented in the form of signed previous employment contracts, stamped employment history, and reference letters by former employers.
As a requirement, there must not be any Maltese or EU workers available that could perform the applicant’s role. However, it is not exactly stated how the Maltese government would determine this.
Application Process
The applicant’s employer must email a completed application along with all necessary attachments as requested. The application portal, Identitá will ask the applicant’s permission before submitting the application and supporting materials.
When the application is received, it will be reviewed, and both the company and the candidate will receive an informational email and an acknowledgment, along with additional instructions on how to pay the application fee during the biometrics stage. The administrative cost of the application is €300.
Applications can be delayed or rejected if any documents are found missing. A checklist is provided during the application to avoid this.
Once a decision is reached on the application, the applicant and employer are informed of the outcome via email.
The standard government processing time for eligible applications is 15 business days from the date of submission.
Final Stage
If an application is successful, a residence permit will be granted to successful applicants for one year in their first year. If the employee remains in compliance with the eligibility criteria and their employment contract applies to all periods of validity, this authorisation may be renewed for an additional period of up to three years.
The SEI serves as an alternate pathway to the older Key Employee Initiative which has a quicker standard government processing time of five business days but tougher eligibility requirements, including a higher minimum gross annual salary of €35,000.
Malta Work Visa Requirements
Here is the list of documents that you need to submit when applying for a Malta work visa and work permit:
- Your valid passport. Make sure your passport has at least two blank pages for the visa and entry stamp.
- Work visa application form. The application must be completed and signed at the end. Make sure you fill out the application form with your updated information.
- A passport-sized photo. Make sure the photos are with colors and with a light background. See Schengen photo guidelines for further information.
- A work contract. The work contract must contain your job description, salary, beginning date, and end date of employment.
- Your updated CV. You must prepare a CV with your previous work experiences and references from your employers.
- Medical insurance. You must purchase travel health insurance with at least €30,000 coverage within the Schengen area, valid for the initial duration of your trip. Since you will likely live and work in Malta long-term, after arrival, you should register for a more comprehensive health insurance policy.
- Accommodation proof. Document proof that you have a place to stay while working in Malta. It can be a rental agreement, hotel reservation, a letter of invitation from your friends, family members, etc.
- Flight itinerary. Proof that you have booked a flight to Malta.
Note: You may be asked to submit additional documents, depending on your specific situation or the country from which you apply. Make sure you submit all the required documents with the application form. Any missing document can result in your visa rejection.
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