Long-Stay (Type D) — EmploymentVerified 2026-05-12Malta Employment Visa (Long-Stay, Type D)
Indian professionals taking up paid employment in Malta require a Long-Stay Type D Employment Visa. The substantive decision — assessing the Maltese labour market, the employer's offer, and the applicant's qualifications — is made by Identità (the Maltese identity agency) via the Single Permit / Specific Residence Authorisation process. Identità issues an Approval in Principle (AIP) letter, which MUST be valid through the date of the VFS appointment (typically 60 days from issue). Without the AIP — and the ORIGINAL Identità work permit — VFS will refuse the file. For applicants working directly or indirectly in tourism / hospitality, the Skills Pass Part 1 + Part 2 completion certificates from the Institute of Tourism Studies are mandatory.
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Malta — Schengen member · High Commission New Delhi · AIP from Identità rules everything
One Malta visa = all 29 Schengen countries. But Employment D needs an Identità AIP first, and only 16 Indian insurance companies are accepted.
All India applications are decided by the High Commission of Malta, New Delhi (NOT Embassy — Malta is Commonwealth) through VFS Malta centres. The High Commission also handles Nepal + Maldives. Bangladesh applicants route Short-Stay (C) through the Embassy of Italy in Dhaka. For Long-Stay D Visas (Employment / Study / Family Reunification), the substantive decision is made by Identità in Malta (Valley Road, Msida) — Employment requires an Approval in Principle (AIP) letter before VFS, FR requires an Identità certificate, Study requires MFHEA-accredited enrolment.
29 Schengen countries
Full Schengen member since 2007 — Malta visa unlocks the whole zone, not just Malta.
Regional jurisdiction
HC of Malta, New Delhi covers India + Nepal + Maldives. Bangladesh routes via Embassy of Italy in Dhaka.
15 days (C) · 6–8 weeks (D)
Short-Stay 15 days standard; Long-Stay D 6–8 weeks at Identità. Cochin/Lucknow/Nepal add 3 days transit; Maldives 6.
The four Malta rules that bounce most files at counter
- Employment D = AIP first. Identità issues an Approval in Principle (AIP) letter; the AIP must still be valid on your VFS appointment date (~60-day validity). Without the AIP and the ORIGINAL Identità work permit, VFS refuses at counter.
- Family Reunification D = Identità certificate. Expatriates Unit at Identità issues the Family Reunification certificate BEFORE you can book the FR appointment. Indian affidavits don't substitute.
- Student D = MFHEA accreditation. Only MFHEA-listed institutions qualify. School letter must specify Institution Name (as on MFHEA), MQF level, ECTS, course hours, lecture address. Funds = ≥75% of Maltese national minimum wage per month of study.
- All visas: insurance from 16 approved Indian companies only (effective 1 Jan 2026). Generic Schengen policies — even at €30,000+ — get refused at VFS counter.
Tourism / hospitality D-Employment: Skills Pass Part 1 + Part 2 completion certificates from the Institute of Tourism Studies are mandatory. Aadhaar Card is mandatory for Indian residents across every visa category — no exceptions. Malta also requires 3 blank passport pages (not 2, like most Schengen states) and an old passport submitted alongside the current one.
Three more details Indian sites get wrong: (1) Birth / marriage certificates must be apostilled by India's Ministry of External Affairs — not just notarised. (2) The “Declaration of Proof” for free-accommodation cases must be witnessed by a Maltese Public Notary (inside Malta) — Indian notarisation doesn't qualify. (3) 5-day rule: VFS gives a 5-day window for missing documents; after that the file is refused.
Note: SureshotVisa handles the 9 Schengen Short-Stay (Type C) categories — Tourist, Business, Visit Family/Friends, Cultural/Sport/Film Crew, Family of EU/EEA, Official Delegation, Student/Religious C, Medical, and Seamen (informational) — plus 3 Long-Stay D Visas (Employment, Study, Family Reunification) end-to-end through VFS. The substantive Identità step inside Malta is initiated by your Maltese-side employer / institution / sponsor; we coordinate but the decision happens in Malta, not in India.
Processing
Long-Stay D visa applications for Malta require a MINIMUM of 6 to 8 weeks of processing time at the Central Visa Unit within Identità, Malta (Valley Road, Msida, MSD 9020)
Stay Duration
D Visa valid up to 90 days entry; eResidence card aligns with employment contract
Starting Fee
₹13,429
Apply At
16 VFS centres
Special Instructions — Read Before Applying
These requirements apply to ALL Malta visa types. Violations mean your application will be rejected — read each one carefully.
- 1High Commission of Malta, New Delhi (NOT Embassy — Malta is a Commonwealth member) decides ALL India + Nepal + Maldives Short-Stay (C) applications via VFS. Bangladesh applicants route Short-Stay (C) through the Embassy of Italy in Dhaka — unique subcontinent quirk. Long-Stay D Visa decisions are made by the Central Visa Unit within Identità (Valley Road, Msida, MSD 9020 MALTA).
- 2INSURANCE WHITELIST (effective 1 January 2026): travel medical insurance for Malta Schengen visas in India is accepted ONLY from one of 16 approved Indian insurance companies on the Malta-approved list. Generic policies — even meeting EUR 30,000 coverage and Schengen-wide validity — will be refused at counter.
- 3EMPLOYMENT D VISA — APPROVAL IN PRINCIPLE (AIP) MANDATORY: applicants must hold a valid AIP letter from Identità Malta BEFORE booking the VFS appointment. AIP must remain valid through the appointment date (typically 60-day validity). Without the ORIGINAL Identità work permit, VFS will refuse the file at counter. AIP fees paid at the application stage are non-refundable.
- 4FAMILY REUNIFICATION D VISA: requires a Family Reunification certificate issued by Identità's Expatriates Unit BEFORE booking the VFS appointment. Indian-side affidavits cannot substitute for this certificate.
- 5STUDENT D VISA — MFHEA ACCREDITATION: only institutions registered with Malta Further & Higher Education Authority (MFHEA) are eligible. The school enrolment letter must specify Institution Name (as registered with MFHEA), Full Course Name (as on MFHEA website), MQF level, ECTS credits, course duration in months, contact hours per week, and the address of lectures.
- 6SKILLS PASS for tourism/hospitality D-Employment workers: Skills Pass Part 1 + Part 2 completion certificates from the Institute of Tourism Studies are mandatory. Without them, tourism-sector Employment D Visa files are refused.
- 7STUDENT FUNDS RULE: bank statement of the last 3 months attached with a recent bank certificate must show funds equal to at least 75% of the Maltese national minimum wage for every month of study. If sponsored, sponsor's 3-month bank statement + signed declaration letter + sponsor's ID/passport bio-page are mandatory.
- 8AADHAAR CARD MANDATORY for Indian nationals residing in India — required on every visa category (original + photocopy at VFS).
- 95-DAY LIMIT for submission of missing documents via VFS — after that the file is refused. The High Commission reserves the right to request further documentation or a personal interview.
- 10Photo specification: 3.5cm × 4.5cm (35×45mm) in colour on white background, ICAO standards (face 70–80% of frame, 32–36mm chin to top of head), less than 6 months old, no edits/filters. PASTED (not stapled) on the form. Applicants' photos will be captured at VFS as part of biometrics, but one printed photo per specification must accompany the application.
- 11Travel medical insurance: EUR 30,000 minimum coverage, valid for ALL Schengen countries, covering accident / urgent medical / emergency hospital / repatriation. For Employment D, minimum 180 consecutive days. For Medical D (long-term), EUR 100,000 minimum.
- 12Indian passport must be issued within the last 10 years, with AT LEAST 3 BLANK PAGES (not 2 — Malta-specific), valid 3 months beyond intended Schengen departure (8 months for most D Visas / 10 months for Student D). Handwritten or non-machine-readable Indian passports issued after 01.04.2010 are not accepted.
- 13Apply at least 4 weeks before travel; 6 months ahead is the earliest the Schengen Code allows. Cochin, Lucknow, Nepal applications add 3 days transit to the High Commission; Maldives applications add 6 working days. Long-Stay D processing: 6–8 weeks minimum.
- 14All documents must be submitted in ENGLISH. Translations must be done by translators on the Identità-approved list at identita.gov.mt/public-registry-sec-page-translators-list — generic Indian translators are not accepted.
- 15Indian Income Tax Return acknowledgements: last 2 assessment years for Short-Stay (C) categories. Original bank statements (3 months, branch-manager stamped/signed) + employer letter + leave-approval letter where applicable.
- 16Modes of payment at VFS: cash, Visa, Mastercard, RuPay. Optional services — Courier ₹795, SMS ₹146, Premium Lounge ₹3,917, Courier + Assurance ₹1,040, Form Filling ₹3,182. All optional fees non-refundable.
Who Can Apply
- Indian salaried employees with a confirmed job offer from a Maltese-registered employer
- Holders of an Approval in Principle (AIP) letter from Identità Malta
- Specialised / regulated-profession applicants where Maltese authorities have approved the position
- Tourism / hospitality workers with Skills Pass Part 1 + Part 2 certificates from the Institute of Tourism Studies
Not eligible under this visa:
- Anyone WITHOUT a prior AIP — the D Visa cannot be initiated via VFS first
- Applicants seeking a Type C Business Visa for paid work — Type C does NOT permit gainful activity
- Tourism / hospitality workers without the Skills Pass certificates — file will be refused
Previously refused?
SAME FEEWe rebuild refused Malta cases — and win them.
Fees (in INR)
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Employment Visa — Work Permit Standard (D) | ₹13,429 |
| Employment Visa — Work Permit Extended (D) | ₹21,834 |
| VFS service charge — Long-Stay D, Standard service | EUR 100 (~₹10,920) |
| VFS service charge — Long-Stay D, Extended service | EUR 150 (~₹16,380) |
Visa fees are set by the High Commission of Malta in INR and tied to the EUR / INR exchange rate — they are revised periodically. All fees and VFS service charges are non-refundable in case of refusal. VFS service charges are inclusive of CGST 9% + SGST 9%. Optional VFS services: Courier ₹795, SMS ₹146, Premium Lounge ₹3,917, Courier + Assurance ₹1,040, Form Filling ₹3,182 — all non-refundable. From 1 January 2026, travel medical insurance must be issued by one of the 16 approved Indian insurance companies on the Malta-approved list — generic policies are not accepted.
Documents Required
Employment-Specific Documents
- !Original Approval in Principle (AIP) letter from Identità Malta
MANDATORY. Must remain valid through the date of the VFS appointment (~60-day validity). Without the AIP, VFS will refuse the file at counter. The Maltese employer applies for the AIP via the Single Permit / Specific Residence Authorisation process at identita.gov.mt.
- !ORIGINAL Identità work permit (not a copy)
VFS will not accept the application without the ORIGINAL Identità work permit.
- !VFS Appointment Letter
- !Completed and signed visa application form duly filled in English
- !One recent passport photo (ICAO standard, white background, ≤6 months old)
- !Original passport + copy (valid for ≥8 MONTHS)
Malta-specific: 8-month validity rule for Employment D. Max 10 years old, ≥3 blank pages.
- !Prospective Flight tickets — full flight itinerary (applicant name, date, all stops; preferably transiting outside Schengen)
- !Medical and Travel insurance — €30,000 minimum, Schengen-wide, MINIMUM 180 consecutive days, valid from submission date
Must include name, surname, passport number. Coverage NOT restricted to applicant's place of residence; must not restrict departure from country of policy issue. Table of benefits if not on certificate. From 1 Jan 2026, only the 16 approved Indian insurance companies accepted.
Accommodation (one of the three options)
- ○Option A — Host (employer) providing free accommodation
Declaration of proof by host signed/stamped by local lawyer or notary in Malta + copy of host's Maltese Identity Card + proof of host's link to residence (contract of sale / lease agreement / utility bill) — applicable if accommodated at secondary address.
- ○Option B — Applicant renting accommodation
Registered lease agreement signed by both parties stipulating duration, home address, applicant's name, and rent amount.
- ○Option C — Hotel / short-term rental / vacation rental booking
Minimum 14 consecutive nights from date of prospective arrival in Malta.
Tourism / Hospitality Sector-Specific (if applicable)
- ○Skills Pass Part 1 completion certificate (Institute of Tourism Studies)
MANDATORY for persons working directly or indirectly in the tourism and hospitality sector. Without it, tourism-sector files are refused.
- ○Skills Pass Part 2 completion certificate (Institute of Tourism Studies)
MANDATORY for tourism / hospitality sector applicants — pair with Part 1.
Personal Documents
- !Malta visa application form (fully filled, dated, signed)
Download from visa.vfsglobal.com/ind/en/mlt/. For minors, BOTH parents must sign and parent ID proof attached.
- !One recent passport-size photograph — 35×45mm, white background
ICAO standards, less than 6 months old, colour, face 70–80% of frame, PASTED (not stapled) on the form. Biometrics + a fresh photo are also captured at VFS.
- !Valid passport + ORIGINAL + photocopy of biodata page + last page (Indian passports)
Max 10 years old, valid ≥3 months beyond Schengen return (≥8 months for D / ≥10 months for Student D), ≥3 BLANK PAGES (Malta-specific — not 2). Handwritten / non-machine-readable Indian passports issued after 01.04.2010 not accepted.
- !Old passports + photocopies of all pages; police report (FIR) if passport lost and not marked on new passport
Old passport mandatory for all nationalities under High Commission of Malta rules.
- !Aadhaar Card (original + photocopy) — Indian nationals residing in India
Mandatory across all Malta visa categories.
- ○Entry/exit Schengen stamps from previous passports (photocopies, if available)
Strengthens travel history.
! = mandatory · ○ = optional / if applicable
🗺️ Step-by-Step Application Process
Apply for the substantive Identità decision in Malta
Employment: Maltese employer applies for the Approval in Principle (AIP) from Identità via the Single Permit / Specific Residence Authorisation process. Family Reunification: sponsor applies for the Family Reunification certificate from Identità's Expatriates Unit. Study: student secures admission at an MFHEA-accredited institution. This step is SEPARATE from the D Visa — its own timeline runs from several weeks to several months.
Receive the original Identità authorisation document
Original AIP letter (Employment) / Family Reunification certificate / school enrolment letter (Study). Required at VFS — copies / scans are not accepted. AIP must still be valid through the date of the VFS appointment (~60-day validity).
Download + complete the Long-Stay D Visa application form
Get the form from visa.vfsglobal.com/ind/en/mlt/. Fully fill (in English), date, sign. Paste the 35×45mm photograph on the form.
Get supporting documents in order
Original Identità authorisation + passport (≥8 months validity for D / ≥10 months for Student D, ≥3 blank pages) + EUR 30,000 insurance (180 days for Employment / 91 days from Schengen entry for MQF L5+ Students / EUR 100,000 for Medical) + proof of accommodation (lease / Declaration of Proof / hotel booking ≥14 consecutive nights) + financial means + category-specific docs (Skills Pass for tourism, MFHEA enrolment for students, marriage certificate for Family Reunification).
Book your VFS appointment online (Student appointments booked by the institution)
Schedule at visa.vfsglobal.com/ind/en/mlt/. For Student Visas, the appointment is booked by the educational institution — contact your point of contact at the Maltese institution. For Employment / Family Reunification, the applicant books directly. Submit at least 9 weeks before course start (Student) or before intended start of employment (Employment).
Submit at VFS + biometrics + visa fees
Visa fee paid online at appointment booking + VFS service charge at the centre (cash / Visa / Mastercard / RuPay). Original Identità authorisation handed over at counter. Biometrics captured. Optional: Courier service for passport return.
Wait 6–8 weeks for the Long-Stay D decision (Central Visa Unit, Identità)
All Long-Stay D applications take MINIMUM 6 to 8 weeks at the Central Visa Unit within Identità, Malta. For status: identita.gov.mt/central-visa-unit-national-visa-long-stay-visa or visa.identita@gov.mt.
Travel to Malta within the D Visa validity + register with Identità on arrival
Once the D Visa is issued, travel to Malta. On arrival, register with Identità at Valley Road, Msida, and apply for the eResidence card (titolu ta' residenza) on the basis of the Identità authorisation. The D Visa is the entry vehicle; the eResidence card is the substantive residence document.
💡 Pro Tips
- Start the AIP process 3–4 months before your intended start date — Identità's Single Permit / Specific Residence Authorisation can take several weeks to months depending on category.
- AIP fees paid at the application stage are NON-REFUNDABLE — even if you later decide not to proceed.
- Tourism / hospitality applicants: enrol with the Institute of Tourism Studies for the Skills Pass early — both Part 1 and Part 2 must be completed.
- Insurance must cover MINIMUM 180 consecutive days for Employment D — generic 30-day Schengen policies don't meet this.
Common Rejection Reasons
- 1.AIP letter expired by the date of VFS appointment
- 2.Original Identità work permit missing (copy submitted instead)
- 3.Skills Pass certificates missing for tourism / hospitality applicants
Download Official Forms
Official forms are hosted by VFS Global — we don't host third-party forms ourselves, so you always get the latest version.
📋 How to download from VFS:
- Click the form name below — opens VFS Switzerland page
- Select the visa category you're applying for (e.g. Tourist, Business, Student)
- Scroll down to the "Download Form" section at the bottom
- Click the PDF icon next to the form name → saves to your device
Malta Visa Application Form (Schengen Short-Stay / Long-Stay D)
Download the appropriate Short-Stay (C) or Long-Stay (D) PDF application form from the VFS Malta India website. Complete fully, date and sign. For minors, both parents must sign.
Declaration of Proof Form (for free-accommodation cases)
When the Maltese host is providing free accommodation, this form must be filled, signed by the host, signed and stamped by a Maltese Public Notary, and submitted with the host's ID Card copy + proof of residence (title deed / lease / utility bill).
identita.gov.mt — Maltese identity agency (D Visa AIP, Family Reunification, eResidence)
For Long-Stay D Visas (Employment / Study / Family Reunification / Other), the substantive case is decided by Identità (Valley Road, Msida, MSD 9020). Employment AIP, Family Reunification certificate, and Student permit applications are filed here BEFORE the D Visa at VFS.
MFHEA Register of Accredited Institutions
Malta Further & Higher Education Authority — official register of accredited Maltese educational institutions. Student D Visa applicants must enrol at an MFHEA-listed institution; school enrolment letters must state the institution name exactly as registered.
Identità — Approved Translators List
All documents must be submitted in English. Translations must be done by translators on Identità's approved list — not generic Indian translators.
Delivery Service Disclaimer
For applicants opting for courier return of passport — fill and sign the Delivery Service Disclaimer.
List of 16 Approved Indian Travel-Insurance Companies (Malta)
Effective 1 January 2026, only 16 specified Indian insurance companies are accepted for Malta Schengen visas. Other policies (even if meeting the €30,000 coverage threshold) will be refused at counter.
VFS Application Centres
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the Approval in Principle (AIP) and why is it the load-bearing document?+
Why does tourism / hospitality need Skills Pass?+
Can SureshotVisa help with the Malta Employment D Visa?+
Why does SureshotVisa list some Malta Long-Stay D categories with limited end-to-end handling?+
Other Malta Visa Types
Malta Tourist Visa (Schengen Short-Stay, Type C)
Apply for a Malta Tourist Visa (Schengen Type C) from India through VFS. Valletta UNESCO Old Town, Mdina Silent City, Blue Lagoon Comino, Hagar Qim temples, Marsaxlokk fishing village. ₹9,828 visa fee.
Malta Business Visa (Schengen Short-Stay, Type C)
Malta Business Visa (Schengen Type C) for Indian professionals — meetings, conferences, trade shows, training, and partner visits in Malta. Inviting Maltese company letter required. ₹9,828 visa fee.
Malta Visiting Family / Friends Visa (Schengen Short-Stay, Type C)
Schengen Type C visa to visit family or friends in Malta. Apostilled birth / marriage certificate by Ministry of External Affairs (India) + invitation letter + Declaration of Proof for free accommodation cases.
Malta Cultural / Sports / Film Crew Visa (Schengen Short-Stay, Type C)
Malta Schengen Type C visa for Indian film crews shooting in Malta, cultural performers, sports federation members, and conference / event participants. Includes Jobsplus work permit for film crews where applicable.
Malta Family Member of EU/EEA National Visa (Schengen Short-Stay, Type C)
FREE Malta Schengen Type C visa for non-EU family members of EU / EEA nationals under EU free-movement rules. Spouse, civil partner, dependent children under 21, dependent ascending relatives. Requires endorsement email from the High Commission of Malta.
Malta Official Delegation Visa (Schengen Short-Stay, Type C)
Malta Schengen Type C visa for Indian government officers travelling for official meetings, consultations, negotiations, or events held by intergovernmental organisations. Requires Note Verbale from sending authority.
Malta Student or Religious Visa (Schengen Short-Stay, Type C)
Malta Schengen Type C visa for short-term study (under 90 days) or religious purposes. Bank statements of last 6 months required for student applicants (signed and stamped). For longer study, apply for the Student D Visa instead.
Malta Medical Treatment Visa (Schengen Short-Stay, Type C)
Malta Schengen Type C visa for medical treatment in Malta where the stay is under 90 days. Requires certificate from Indian medical doctor + Maltese medical institution confirming treatment + proof of pre-payment.
Source & Disclaimer
Data on this page is sourced from the official VFS Global Malta website and Embassy of Malta. Last verified 2026-05-12. Always verify with the official embassy before applying — fees and requirements change without notice.