Schengen Short-Stay (Type C) — Visiting Family / Friends Verified 2026-05-12Malta 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.
No visa is ever guaranteed — the final decision always rests with the Malta visa authority. We make sure your file is presented at its strongest.
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
₹9,828
Apply At
16 VFS centres
Where do you stand?
Tell us your situation
Pick what fits — no long forms, just a quick WhatsApp or a call.
Why files get refused
Most Malta visit visa refusals come down to a few fixable things
Refusals are common now, and the government fee is non-refundable. The good news: almost every reason below is something we can strengthen before you submit.
Birth / marriage certificate not apostilled by India MEA (just notarisation is not enough)
Declaration of Proof witnessed by an Indian notary instead of a Maltese Public Notary
Host's residence proof not provided
Insurance from a non-approved company
Aadhaar Card missing for Indian residents
What we actually do
We build a stronger file — you don't guess
Check your profile before filing
We tell you honestly if the case is ready — before you spend the government fee.
Review funds & ITR alignment
Bank statement, income and tax records presented the way officers expect.
Structure purpose & cover letter
A clear travel story that answers the officer's real questions.
Show strong ties to India
Job, business, property and family framed as genuine reasons to return.
Sponsor & invitation papers
If family is inviting you, we line their documents up with your profile — a common silent refusal trigger.
Guide the full submission
Online portal or VFS appointment, biometrics and passport steps — supported until the decision.
Refused before?
We rebuild refused Malta cases the right way.
Reapplying with the same file usually earns the same answer. We find the real reason first, then rebuild — no guarantees, just a properly prepared reapplication.
Before you reapply, we check:
- What your refusal letter actually says — and what it doesn't.
- Whether the officer's GCMS notes are worth pulling for the real reason.
- Which documents were weak: funds, employment, purpose, or ties.
- Whether reapplying now — or strengthening first — is the smarter move.
Same flat fee whether it's your first application or a reapplication.
Your whole Malta Visiting Family Friends Visa,
handled for one honest price.
A strong Malta file clearly explains your travel purpose, funds, and ties to India. We structure and submit everything properly — so your case is presented clearly and professionally.
All-in · 18% GST included · no hidden charges
File-ready in 3–5 working days after documents
4.9★ · 90+ reviews · reply in 5 min
Everything below — included, nothing extra
- Document checklist
- Application form guidance
- Document review
- Cover letter
- Purpose of travel structure
- Financial proof review
- Sponsor document guidance
- Submission & appointment support
- Post-submission guidance
Not sure you qualify? Start with a refundable ₹499 possibility report — an honest Yes / Maybe / No, credited to this fee.
Price is for our consultancy service only and includes 18% GST. No agency can guarantee a visa — the final decision rests with the visa authority.
Your fee, justified
₹14,999 fee — what exactly is included?
Our professional fee isn't just form-filling. It covers complete Malta visitor visa preparation, document & refusal-risk review, financial-proof structuring, submission support and post-filing guidance. Tap any item to see what's inside.
Before we prepare your Malta visitor visa file, we understand your complete profile — every applicant is different, so no two files are built the same way.
- Purpose of travel
- Employment or business background
- Monthly income & savings
- Funds available for the trip
- Family ties in India
- Property / assets, if any
- Previous travel history
- Relatives, friends or a sponsor in Malta, if any
- Previous visa refusals, if any
- Planned trip duration
- Who is paying for the trip
- Whether the trip is realistic for your profile
A visitor visa isn't approved just because documents are attached — the purpose, funds, travel plan and return ties all have to support each other.
We don't hand everyone the same checklist. After understanding your profile, we build one for your exact case type:
- Salaried
- Business owner
- Self-employed
- Farmer / agriculture income
- Student or minor
- Retired parent
- Housewife / dependent
- Family visit
- Tourist visit
- Business visitor
- Previous refusal
- Sponsor-supported
- First-time traveller
This avoids missing key documents — and avoids piling on documents that aren't explained properly.
We review your documents before preparing and submitting, checking they're complete, readable, consistent and well-arranged:
- Passport & photographs
- Bank statements
- Salary slips
- ITR / Form 16
- Employment & leave-approval letters
- Business / GST / registration proof
- Income proof
- Property documents, if any
- Family & marriage documents, if applicable
- Invitation & sponsor documents, if applicable
- Previous refusal letter, if any
- Travel history, itinerary & stay proof
Funds are one of the most common refusal triggers. A high balance alone isn't enough if the money doesn't look genuine, stable, and tied to your income. We check:
- Whether the balance is reasonable for the trip
- Average balance vs trip cost
- Sudden large deposits that need explaining
- Salary / business income vs bank statement
- ITR vs income profile
- Whether you can afford the trip without leaning entirely on a sponsor
- Whether sponsor support is properly explained
- Whether funds look genuine and traceable
We help structure the financial side professionally so it reads as genuine, not borrowed for the application.
We help present a clear, realistic purpose — tourism, a holiday, a family/relative visit, an event, a business meeting, or parents visiting children — and make sure it lines up with your dates, funds, itinerary and documents.
A weak or vague purpose makes a file look doubtful. We keep it clear, simple and professional.
We prepare or structure the main explanation letter — a professional summary that makes your case easy for the officer to understand. It covers:
- Who you are and why you want to visit
- How long you'll stay and where
- Who is paying for the trip
- What you do in India
- Which financial documents are attached
- Your family ties in India
- Why you'll return after the visit
- If previously refused — what has changed since
This is not a guarantee letter — it's a clear, professional explanation of your case.
The officer must be satisfied you'll leave Malta after your authorized stay. We identify and present your reasons to return:
- Job continuity or business ownership
- Regular income source
- Spouse / children / parents in India
- Dependents and family responsibilities
- Property or assets in India
- Education or business commitments
- Previous travel compliance, if any
If someone in Malta is inviting you, we guide the sponsor-side documents:
- Invitation letter
- Sponsor status proof (passport / PR / citizenship)
- Sponsor employment & income proof
- Sponsor bank statement, if needed
- Relationship & communication proof
- Who bears expenses & stay arrangement
A sponsor supports the case but never guarantees approval — your own purpose, funds and ties must still be strong. We also flag if a file is leaning too heavily on the sponsor.
We guide or assist with the application form and details (online portal or the VFS/embassy form, depending on Malta), and check consistency between the form and your documents:
- Personal, passport & travel-history details
- Employment & education history
- Family information
- Purpose of visit & funding details
- Sponsor information, if applicable
- Previous-refusal declarations
- Background questions
- Correct document categories
Wrong, incomplete or inconsistent information can hurt this application — and future ones too.
How a file is lodged depends on the country — some are fully online, while others (most Schengen states) need you to complete the form first, then book a VFS appointment and submit a physical file in person. We guide the exact Malta process:
- Completing the application form first, where required, to unlock the appointment
- Booking the VFS / embassy appointment
- Arranging documents in the right order — for upload or the VFS counter
- Guiding the visa-fee payment
- Final review before submission or your VFS visit
- What to carry to the appointment (originals, photos, forms)
- Submitting / lodging and saving the confirmation
- What happens after submission
After submission, if biometrics are required, we guide you through:
- Biometrics Instruction Letter
- VFS appointment booking
- Documents to carry
- What to expect at the VFS centre
- How biometrics update in your application
- What to do once biometrics are done
Biometrics fee is separate, paid to the authority / VFS as applicable.
Our support doesn't stop at submission. We stay connected and guide you on:
- How to check application updates
- What official messages mean
- What to do if more documents are requested
- What to do after a Passport Request
- VFS passport submission & courier return
- Decision-update explanation
- Next steps after approval
- Basic guidance if refused
What's not included (paid direct, at actual cost)
- Government / embassy visa fee
- Biometrics fee
- VFS service charges
- VFS courier & SMS charges
- VFS premium-lounge charges
- Travel insurance
- Flight tickets
- Hotel bookings
- Translation charges
- Notary / attestation
- Medical exam, if ever required
- Any other third-party charges
No agency can guarantee a visa — the final decision is always the visa officer's. Our role is to prepare, review, structure and present your file professionally from the documents and profile you provide.
Good to know before you apply
Rules that apply to every Malta visa type — worth a quick read so nothing trips up your file.
- 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 citizens visiting family or friends settled in Malta
- Spouses, parents, children, and other relatives of Maltese residents
- Visitors invited by Maltese-resident friends (with notarised Declaration of Proof)
Not eligible under this visa:
- Anyone planning to settle long-term, work, or study long-term in Malta — apply for the appropriate D Visa with Identità authorisation
- Family members of EU/EEA/Swiss citizens travelling under Directive 2004/38/EC — apply under that route instead (separate visa type on this site)
Previously refused?
Same feeWe rebuild refused Malta cases the right way.
What it costs
Government & VFS fees
Paid directly to Malta / VFS — these are not our service fee, and we never mark them up.
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Schengen Short-Stay visa fee — adult (Type C) | ₹9,828 |
| Schengen visa fee — child (6–12 years) | ₹4,915 |
| 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.
What to gather
Documents required
Having a document isn't the same as presenting it right — that's the part we handle.
Personal Documents
6 items- Malta visa application form (fully filled, dated, signed)Required
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 backgroundRequired
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)Required
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 passportRequired
Old passport mandatory for all nationalities under High Commission of Malta rules.
- Aadhaar Card (original + photocopy) — Indian nationals residing in IndiaRequired
Mandatory across all Malta visa categories.
- Entry/exit Schengen stamps from previous passports (photocopies, if available)
Strengthens travel history.
Family/Friends-Specific Documents
4 items- Invitation letter from the Maltese family member / friendRequired
Includes host's address, contact details, applicant's name, relationship, and intended stay period.
- Evidence of legal residence of family/friends visited in MaltaRequired
Copy of host's Maltese passport / national ID card / residence permit.
- Apostilled Birth / Marriage certificate (by Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India)Required
Mandatory for family relationships. Apostille — not just notarisation. Indian-side affidavits cannot substitute.
- Proof of accommodation — Declaration of Proof (witnessed by Maltese Public Notary) OR Confirmed Hotel BookingRequired
For free accommodation at host's residence: 'Declaration of Proof' form completely filled, signed by the host, witnessed and stamped by a Maltese Public Notary. Attach copy of host's Malta ID Card / passport bio-data page + proof of residence (title deed / lease / utility bill) + proof of host's income + host's health insurance if applicable.
Travel & Insurance
4 items- Round-trip flight reservation (return or round ticket)Required
Full flight itinerary clearly indicating applicant's name, date of flight, all stops — preferably transiting outside the Schengen area, OR direct routing to Malta. If visiting multiple Schengen states, intra-Schengen flight / train / car-rental proof.
- Travel medical insurance — EUR 30,000 minimum, Schengen-wideRequired
Effective 1 Jan 2026, MUST be from one of 16 approved Indian insurance companies on the Malta-approved list. Must cover the entire trip including arrival + departure date. Multi-entry visas: cover the first trip.
- Cover letter from applicant — purpose, duration, names of accompanying persons, transport + accommodation detailsRequired
- Proof of accommodation — confirmed hotel booking OR Declaration of Proof (notarised by Maltese Public Notary)Required
Hotel booking preferred. For free-accommodation cases: 'Declaration of Proof' filled, signed by host + stamped by Maltese Public Notary; attach copy of host's Malta ID Card / passport bio-data page + proof of residence (title deed / lease / utility bill) + proof of host's income + host's health insurance if applicable. If visiting multiple Schengen states: proof for each.
Financial Documents
4 items- If employed — Original bank statement (last 3 months, branch-manager stamped/signed) + payslips (last 3 months) + employment contract + employer's leave-approval letter + Indian ITR (last 2 years)
- If self-employed / company owner — Original bank statement (last 3 months, stamped/signed) + Company registration + GST registration number + Business bank account statement + Indian ITR (last 2 years)
- If sponsored — Sponsor's original bank statement (3 months, stamped/signed) + applicant's bank statement + national-form sponsorship proof (where applicable) + applicant's ITR (last 2 years)
- If retired — Pension statements for last 3 months and/or proof of regular income from property / business
Minor-Specific Documents (if applicable)
4 items- 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.
Required · optional / if applicable
The journey.
7 steps from intake to approval. Curved spine on the right shows the natural pace — never as linear as government sites pretend.
- 01
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.
- 02
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).
- 03
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.
- 04
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.
- 05
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.
- 06
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.
- 07
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.
What works
4 levers that flip a borderline case.
- Apostille the Indian birth / marriage certificate via the Ministry of External Affairs BEFORE applying — this takes 3–5 working days and cannot be done at VFS.
- For free-accommodation cases, the Declaration of Proof MUST be witnessed by a MALTESE Public Notary — not an Indian notary. Get your Malta host to handle this locally.
- Insurance is still required even when accommodation is provided by the host — and must be from one of the 16 approved Indian companies (effective 1 Jan 2026).
- Bring the host's full document pack: ID Card + passport bio-data + residence proof (title deed / lease / utility bill) + income proof + health insurance policy.
What kills cases
Top 3 refusal triggers we see.
- 1Birth / marriage certificate not apostilled by India MEA (just notarisation is not enough)
- 2Declaration of Proof witnessed by an Indian notary instead of a Maltese Public Notary
- 3Host's residence proof not provided
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 the official VFS Global page for Malta
- 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
Quiz not yet available for this visa type
We're actively building per-visa quizzes. For now, the best way to assess your eligibility for Malta Visiting Family / Friends Visa (Schengen Short-Stay, Type C) is a free 1-on-1 consultation with our team.
Free · No obligation · Reply in minutesFrequently asked
Questions, answered straight
The 'Declaration of Proof' is Malta's formal accommodation-sponsorship form, filled and signed by the Maltese-side host, then witnessed and stamped by a MALTESE Public Notary inside Malta. Indian-side affidavits / notarisations don't substitute — the document must carry the Maltese Public Notary stamp. The Maltese host arranges this locally; you submit the original at VFS along with the host's ID Card copy + proof of residence + income proof.
Yes. Malta's High Commission requires Indian birth and marriage certificates to be apostilled by the Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India — not just notarised. This authenticates the certificate for use abroad. The apostille adds a 3–5 working day step; plan accordingly. Without it, the file is refused at counter.
Yes — we coordinate with your Maltese host on the Declaration of Proof process, walk you through the MEA apostille step in India, prepare the relationship documents pack, and submit at VFS. ₹499 consultation to start.
Still have a question about your case? Ask us directly — we usually reply in 5 minutes.
Before you apply
Two ways to file your Malta visa.
One quietly burns your fee, your trip and your record. The other gets it right the first time.
Do it yourself
The risky route
- You guess which papers Malta actually wants — one missing or wrongly-framed document triggers a refusal.
- You copy a cover letter off YouTube or Google — often the exact template embassies already flag as weak.
- You apply during a known peak-rejection window without realising it.
- Embassy & VFS fees are non-refundable — refused means your money, flights and leave are gone.
- One refusal stamp follows you for life — every future visa, anywhere, must declare it.
The gamble
One mistake = fee, flights & record gone
With SureshotVisa
Professionally guided
- A licensed consultant checks your case honestly before you spend a rupee on embassy fees.
- We build your Malta file the way the embassy approves — documents, cover letter, financials.
- We catch the weak-ties, funding and intent issues behind most Indian refusals — and fix them first.
- We've rescued hundreds of files that were already refused once and got them approved.
- Govt of Punjab licensed (Licence 849/DC/PTA/PLA/LC-3/2024) · 1200+ approvals.
Typical result
1200+ approvals · refused files rescued
Why DIY goes wrong
How a self-filed application turns into a refusal.
- 1
You feel ready
A few YouTube videos make the process look simple.
- 2
You file it yourself
You submit a sensitive Malta visa file on your own.
- 3
One detail misreads
A small framing slip looks like weak ties or unclear intent.
- 4
Refusal
Now every future visa, anywhere, must declare it.
Once you've been refused, you learn the hard way how much the small details mattered. We'd rather you never collect that first stamp.
Trusted by families
We've helped many families get their Malta visa — the easy way.
From first-time Malta visa applicants to cases that were refused elsewhere, our licensed team has guided families through Malta's exact requirements — so the file is approved the first time, without the stress, guesswork or risk of a refusal.
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.
View guideMalta 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.
View guideMalta 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.
View guideMalta 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.
View guideMalta 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.
View guideMalta 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.
View guideMalta 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.
View guideMalta 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.
View guideSource & 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.
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