MaltaResidence permit

Study, research and traineeships in Malta

A residence permit for third-country nationals enrolled at an institution licensed by the National Commission for Higher Education (MFHEA) on a full-time programme leading to a higher-level qualification. The permit covers students, researchers, trainees and volunteers carrying out activities under international mobility programmes.

Source: Identità Malta (identita.gov.mt)

Who can apply

The programme is aimed at three main categories: those in mainstream education; those carrying out research; and those undergoing training without employment.

Students

Accepted on a full-time programme at an institution licensed by MFHEA
The programme leads to a qualification at MQF level 5 or above
May work up to 20 hours a week after 90 days of stay
Will receive a 9-month job-seeking permit after graduation

Researchers and trainees

Take part in research projects or traineeships at accredited institutions
Work at the invitation of a Maltese organisation
Require confirmation of acceptance from the sponsoring organisation
Have no right to self-employment or independent economic activity

Volunteers

Take part in voluntary activity under youth mobility schemes
Pay nothing for the residence permit
Work at the invitation of the host organisation
Have no access to paid work in Malta

When the programme will not suit you

Courses lasting less than 3 months

Short-stay visas through the Central Visa Unit (for courses of up to 90 days)

Full-time employment as the main purpose

A work permit (Single Permit) or a programme for highly productive specialists

Programmes below MQF level 5 that do not lead to a diploma

Short-stay student visas on the terms set by the Central Visa Unit

What it costs

Residence permit fee (student, researcher, trainee)Paid once, with the initial application	50 EUR
Residence permit fee (volunteer)Volunteers are exempt from the government fee	0 EUR
Total government feesThe sum of the mandatory rows in the table. Charges with no official price list are in the list below.	50 EUR

Paid separately

Tuition costs — Not included in the government fee; paid to the institution separately
Accommodation costs — Not included in the government fee; proof of accommodation is required (a rental agreement or a letter from the host)
Travel costs and visa fees — For nationals who require a visa, the visa is paid for separately before departure

Documents to gather

The following documents are required when filing through the Expatriates Unit Portal (while in Malta):

Completed form N.01 (CEA N.01) or the form corresponding to your category
Copy of every page of the passport, valid for at least 8 months at the time of filing
Official acceptance letter from the institution (stating the MQF level, the start and end dates and confirming full-time study)
Receipt for the tuition payment or confirmation of the bank transfer
Bank statements for the last 3 months (proof of 60% of the national minimum income)
Health insurance policy with cover of at least 100,000 euros
Rental agreement for the accommodation registered with the Housing Authority, or alternative proof of accommodation
Health certificate (for courses longer than 3 months)
All foreign documents in English or with an apostille and an official translation

How the process runs

Obtaining and renewing the permit involves several stages:

1
Acceptance by the institution
before filing the application
Make sure the institution is licensed by MFHEA and the programme is at MQF level 5 or above. Obtain the official acceptance letter stating the programme dates and confirming full-time study.
2
Preparing documents and finances
2–3 weeks
Gather all the required documents, make sure the passport is valid for at least 8 months, open an account holding the necessary sum (60% of the national minimum for the study period) and take out health insurance.
3
Registering the accommodation
1 week
Draw up a rental agreement and register the accommodation with the Housing Authority. It may be student halls, rented accommodation or a room with a host.
4
Filing the application on the Expatriates Unit portal
within 3 months of entry (for visa-free nationals)
Go to https://expatriates.identita.gov.mt/, complete form N.01, upload all the documents and pay the fee (50 euros for students/researchers/trainees, or 0 for volunteers). The application is filed online while in Malta.
5
Biometrics and the interim permit
1–2 weeks
After filing you will be given an interim permit (Interim Receipt or Interim Authorisation to Reside). On that document you may stay and study in Malta while the main application is processed. Attend for biometric scanning at the time given.
6
Receiving the residence card (e-Residence Card)
2–4 weeks
The permit is usually issued within 4 weeks of filing. You will be told when the physical residence card can be collected. The permit is valid for 1 year or until the end of the programme, whichever is shorter.
7
Work (for students at MQF 5+)
after 90 days of stay
Ninety days after the date of entry, students may work up to 20 hours a week. The employer must obtain an Employment License from Jobsplus. Working without a licence is unlawful.
8
Renewing the permit (if needed)
6 weeks to 3 months before expiry
Complete form N.02 (CEA N.02) and file it through the same portal. Attach proof of attendance (at least 75%), academic progress, proof of payment for the new semester, updated financial statements and insurance. The permit will be extended for a further 1 year or for the remaining length of the programme.
9
Graduation and job seeking
9 months after the programme ends
After successfully completing the programme you may apply on Form CEA N.03 for a 9-month job-seeking permit. This permit is issued once only and cannot be renewed. Its purpose is to find an employer and obtain a Single Permit or another form of status before the period runs out.

Timelines and rights

Work

Part-time work is allowed for up to 20 hours a week and only after the first 90 days of stay. A Jobsplus licence is needed: working without one is unlawful. The right applies to programmes at MQF level 5 and above. After graduation a 9-month permit is granted to look for work — once only, with no renewal. You cannot work on it: the employer arranges a Single Permit.

Who you can bring with you

Family members may come with the main applicant, but on separate conditions:

Spouse

May be brought over through Family Reunification (if the sponsor has been in Malta for at least 2 years) or under the Family Member Policy (if the sponsor has been there 1+ year). Under Family Reunification the spouse may work after the first renewal; under the Family Member Policy work is not allowed. Health insurance (€100,000) and financial evidence are required (the median wage + 20% or €18,940 net + 20%, depending on the condition that applies).

Minor children

May be brought over as dependants on the same conditions as the spouse. A birth certificate, guardianship documents and a notarised letter of consent from the other parent (where applicable) are required. Each child adds 20% to the financial requirement.

Trips, renewal and the grace period

If you do not need a visa, file the residence permit application within 3 months of the day you enter EU territory. Documents are filed in person, while in Malta, through the Expatriates Unit portal.

The permit is renewed on form N.02 (CEA N.02), which must be filed 6 weeks before expiry, but no earlier than 3 months before the current permit expires. On renewal you must provide proof of class attendance (at least 75%), academic progress, proof of payment for the current programme/semester, updated financial statements (meeting the 60%-of-the-minimum requirement) and a valid health insurance policy (€100,000+). The application is filed through https://expatriates.identita.gov.mt/. Missing the permit's expiry date may lead to a late renewal being refused.

Frequently asked questions about Study, research and traineeships

Can I work while studying?

Yes, if you are studying on a programme at MQF level 5 or above. After the first 90 days of stay in Malta you may work up to 20 hours a week. Your employer must obtain an Employment License from Jobsplus. Students on programmes below MQF 5 cannot work. Trainees and volunteers have no right to paid work.

How long is the permit valid and how is it renewed?

The first permit is valid for 1 year or until the end of the programme, whichever is shorter. If the programme is longer than a year, you will need to renew annually. The renewal application (form N.02) must be filed 6 weeks before the permit expires, but no earlier than 3 months before. Renewal requires proof of attendance (75%+), academic progress, finances and insurance.

What are the financial requirements for the permit?

You must show funds amounting to 60% of the national minimum income (or of the poverty threshold, if higher), calculated pro rata for the period of your studies. For a 10-month course, for example, the corresponding share of that threshold is required. You must provide bank statements for the last 3 months evidencing those funds. Health insurance with cover of at least €100,000 is also mandatory.

What happens after the programme ends?

After successfully completing it you may apply for a 9-month job-seeking permit (form N.03). This permit is issued once only and allows you to stay in Malta while looking for an employer. During that period you cannot work officially, but you can prepare contracts. Once you have found work, the employer must sponsor you for a Single Permit or another work permit. If you do not find work within 9 months, the permit expires and you must leave Malta.

Do I need a student visa before travelling to Malta?

That depends on your nationality. Nationals of countries that do not need a visa for the EU may enter without a prior visa and must file the residence permit application within 3 months of arriving in EU territory. All other third-country nationals must obtain a student visa from Malta's Central Visa Unit before departure.

Which institutions are eligible for this programme?

The institution must be licensed by the National Commission for Higher Education (MFHEA). The programme must be full-time and lead to a qualification at MQF level 5 or above. Students at state institutions (the University of Malta, MCAST, ITS) are additionally exempt from the requirement to buy private health insurance.

Other ways to move to Malta

Every route in one list — migration programmes: Malta.

The terms and the amounts are checked against official sources — the link sits under each section.Last checked on: 7 August 2026.