Schengen Short-Stay (Type C) — EU/EEA Free MovementVerified 2026-05-12Malta Family Member of EU/EEA National Visa (Schengen Short-Stay, Type C)
Under EU free-movement rules, non-EU family members of EU/EEA nationals (Iceland / Liechtenstein / Norway / Maltese nationals exercising free movement) are entitled to a simplified visa procedure and a €0 visa fee. The applicant must be one of: spouse, registered civil partner, direct descendant under 21 (or dependent), or dependent direct ascending relative. The EU/EEA family member must hold a valid identity document, and the Maltese / EU/EEA national family member's marriage / partnership / birth certificate must be registered in an EU Member State (Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, or Switzerland). Maltese/EU/EEA family members write to visa.newdelhi@gov.mt to set up the appointment — endorsement email by the High Commission is required.
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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
Standard processing time is 15 calendar days at the High Commission of Malta, New Delhi (from the date the file is received from VFS — not the VFS submission date)
Stay Duration
Up to 90 days in any 6-month period (Schengen area-wide), from the date of first entry
Starting Fee
₹0
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
- Spouse of an EU / EEA national (Iceland / Liechtenstein / Norway / Malta)
- Registered civil partner of an EU / EEA national
- Direct descendants under 21, or dependent descendants of any age, of the EU/EEA national or their spouse/partner
- Dependent direct ascending relatives (parents, grandparents) of the EU/EEA national or their spouse/partner
Not eligible under this visa:
- Cousins, nephews/nieces, in-laws beyond the Directive's definition — apply under the standard Visit Family/Friends route
- Family members of EU nationals NOT exercising free movement to Malta — Maltese citizens within Malta are not exercising free movement to themselves
Previously refused?
SAME FEEWe rebuild refused Malta cases — and win them.
Fees (in INR)
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Schengen visa fee — Family Member of EU/EEA national (C) | ₹0 |
| VFS service charge — per application | ₹2,883 |
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. Family members of EU/EEA citizens applying under EU free-movement rules pay €0 visa fee — but the VFS service charge of ₹2,883 still applies. Travel medical insurance is technically not obligatory under the Directive, but recommended.
Documents Required
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.
EU/EEA Family-Member Documents
- !Endorsement email from the High Commission of Malta
Maltese / EU / EEA family members write to visa.newdelhi@gov.mt to set up the appointment and obtain the endorsement email. The endorsement is required to apply at the VFS Visa Application Centre or High Commission directly.
- !Flight reservation booking + corresponding booking of the EU/EEA citizen
If both the EU/EEA national and the applicant are travelling together to Malta — joint travel reservation.
- !Invitation letter for visiting the Maltese/EU/EEA family member in Malta
Endorsed by Maltese Public Notary, consular officer, or by two Maltese / EU / EEA national witnesses.
- ○For Spouse: Certificate of marriage registered in EU Member State / Iceland / Lichtenstein / Norway / Switzerland
Apostilled by India MEA. For Maltese nationals: marriage must also be registered in Public Registry in Malta (and in cases of divorce — divorce also registered).
- ○For Civil Partner: Certificate of registration of partnership in EU Member State / Iceland / Lichtenstein / Norway / Switzerland
Plus identity document of the EU citizen.
- ○For Direct Descendants under 21 / Dependants: Birth certificate registered in EU Member State
Plus identity document of the EU citizen. A notarised No Objection Certificate / parental consent letter where applicable.
- ○For Dependant Ascending Relatives: Birth certificate of EU national listing the applicant as parent + identity document of the EU citizen
- !Apostilled birth / marriage certificate by Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India
Minor-Specific Documents (if applicable)
- ○If minor traveling with one parent — Notarised written consent from the non-travelling parent (or court order for sole custody) + copy of non-travelling parent's passport
- ○If minor traveling alone — Notarised written consent from BOTH parents/guardians + copies of both parents' passports
- ○Copy of identification document(s) of parent(s)/guardians having custody — with signature and photograph
- ○Birth certificate apostilled by Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India
Mandatory for Family Reunification minor + EU/EEA family member minor cases.
! = mandatory · ○ = optional / if applicable
🗺️ Step-by-Step Application Process
Confirm Malta is your main Schengen destination
Apply via Malta if your itinerary spends most time (or has its main purpose) there. If splitting time evenly between Schengen states, apply through the country of first entry. Bangladesh applicants apply through the Embassy of Italy in Dhaka.
Download + complete the Malta Schengen visa application form
Get the form from visa.vfsglobal.com/ind/en/mlt/. Fully fill in (in English), date, sign. For minors, BOTH parents must sign. Paste the 35×45mm photograph (do not staple).
Get supporting documents in order
Passport (≤10 years old, ≥3 blank pages, ≥3 months validity beyond return) + Aadhaar (Indians) + EUR 30,000 insurance from one of 16 approved Indian companies + bank statements (3 months, stamped) + ITR (2 years) + employer/sponsor letters + accommodation + flight reservation. Take ORIGINAL + photocopy of every document.
Book your VFS appointment online
Schedule at visa.vfsglobal.com/ind/en/mlt/. Pay VFS service charge ₹2,883 in cash / Visa / Mastercard / RuPay at the centre. Optional services: Courier ₹795 / SMS ₹146 / Premium Lounge ₹3,917.
Submit at VFS in person + biometrics
Attend with all documents (original + photocopy in equal number to applicants). Biometrics + a fresh photograph captured at the centre. Children below 1 year are exempt from biometric process — submit 2 photos instead. 5-DAY LIMIT for any missing documents — after that the file is refused.
Wait for the decision (15 calendar days standard)
The High Commission of Malta, New Delhi decides. Cochin / Lucknow / Nepal applications add 3 days transit; Maldives add 6 working days. Allow an additional 3–6 days for document transmission between VFS and the High Commission. Apply 4 weeks (ideally 6) before travel.
Collect your passport from VFS
Once notified, collect from VFS or via the optional courier service. Verify visa validity dates, entry type, and stay duration before leaving the counter.
💡 Pro Tips
- Email visa.newdelhi@gov.mt to set up the appointment and obtain the endorsement email — this is the first step, not VFS booking.
- The endorsement email allows you to choose between submitting directly at the High Commission or at VFS — your choice.
- The birth / marriage / partnership certificate must be registered in an EU Member State (or Iceland / Liechtenstein / Norway / Switzerland). For Maltese nationals, the marriage must additionally be registered with the Public Registry in Malta.
- Travel medical insurance is technically not obligatory under the Directive, but the High Commission recommends it.
Common Rejection Reasons
- 1.Endorsement email from High Commission of Malta not obtained before VFS booking
- 2.Marriage / birth certificate not apostilled by India MEA
- 3.Maltese national applicant's marriage not registered with Public Registry in Malta
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
Why is the visa free for family of EU/EEA nationals?+
Can a Maltese national's family use this route?+
Can SureshotVisa help with the EU family-member route?+
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 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.
Malta Seamen Visa (Schengen Short-Stay, Type C) — Informational
Malta Schengen Type C visa for Indian seafarers joining or disembarking from vessels in Malta harbour. Initiated by the shipping company/maritime agency — informational only on this site.
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.