🇲🇹Malta Visa for Argentine Citizens2026 Requirements, Fees & Documents

National Long-Stay Visa (Type D) - Student

Issued to third-country nationals (including visa-exempt nationals) wishing to enrol in courses in Malta exceeding 90 calendar days.

A National D-Visa (long-stay) valid for up to 365 days. Required for any course exceeding 90 calendar days even for visa-exempt nationals. Educational institutions must maintain attendance records and report non-arrivals to Identità. Applications submitted through External Service Provider (VFS). Fee Ordinance L.N.287 of 2020 applies; specific fees not published on official page - contact Central Visa Unit at visa.identita@gov.mt or +356 2590 4550.

National Long-Stay Visa (Type D) - Employment

Issued to third-country nationals who have obtained an employment permit to work in Malta for a period exceeding 90 days.

National D-Visa (long-stay) valid up to 365 days, issued alongside or after obtaining a single permit or employment licence from Identità's Expatriates Unit. Typically issued for the period of the employment permit. Fee Ordinance L.N.287 of 2020 applies. Applications submitted through Central Visa Unit or Maltese diplomatic mission. Separate from the fast-track Key Employee Initiative (KEI) or Specialist Employee Initiative (SEI) single permit processes.

Nomad Residence Permit

Allows non-EU/EEA/Swiss nationals who work remotely using telecommunications technologies - for a foreign employer or as a freelancer/consultant with foreign clients - to reside in Malta for up to one year, renewable.

Initial permit: 1 year, renewable up to 3 times (maximum 4 years total in Malta). Minimum gross annual income: €42,000 (threshold effective 1 April 2024). Applicant must work for a foreign-registered employer under contract, or be a partner/shareholder of a foreign-registered company, or provide freelance/consulting services to foreign-based clients. Requires: valid travel document, health insurance covering EU risks, property rental/purchase agreement in Malta, police clearance certificate. Applications submitted online at portal.residencymalta.gov.mt. Administered by Residency Malta Agency. Not available to EU/EEA/Swiss nationals who have right of free movement.

Malta Permanent Residence Programme (MPRP)

Grants non-EU/EEA/Swiss nationals permanent residency status in Malta in exchange for a qualifying financial investment in real estate and a government contribution.

Grants permanent residency (not citizenship). UPDATED via Legal Notice 146 of 2025 (effective for applications from 1 January 2025). Key requirements: (1) Administration fee: €60,000 (€15,000 non-refundable upfront + €45,000 after Letter of Approval in Principle). (2) Government contribution: €37,000 (unified regardless of purchase or lease; replaces previous dual structure of €28,000 purchase / €58,000 rental). Spouse and minor children no longer attract a separate contribution fee. (3) Property: purchase min €375,000; OR lease min €14,000/year for at least 5 years. (4) NGO donation: €2,000. (5) Proof of capital: Option A - €500,000 total assets (min €150,000 financial); Option B - €650,000 total assets (min €75,000 financial). Assets monitored annually for first 5 years. (6) Adult dependant fee: €7,500 each. Residence certificate does not expire if obligations are maintained. Certain nationalities ineligible (Afghanistan, North Korea, Iran, DRC, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria, Yemen, Venezuela, Russia, Belarus). Regulated by S.L. 217.26.

Malta Residence and Visa Programme (MRVP)

Grants eligible non-EU/EEA/Swiss nationals and their families Maltese residency with Schengen travel rights through a qualifying property investment.

Regulated under S.L. 217.18. Grants Schengen travel rights with Maltese residency. Covers up to four generations of family members. Investment must be maintained for minimum 5 years. Full fee/investment schedule not publicly available on official pages - consult licensed agents or official MRVP FAQs PDF. Administered by Residency Malta Agency.

Global Residence Programme (GRP)

Tax-residency programme for non-EU/EEA/Swiss nationals providing a flat 15% tax rate on foreign-sourced income remitted to Malta, with a qualifying property purchase or lease requirement.

Administrative fee: €5,500 if qualifying property is in South Malta; €6,000 otherwise. Flat 15% tax on foreign-sourced income remitted to Malta; 35% on locally-sourced income. Applicants must purchase or lease qualifying property in Malta. Not available to those already long-term residents. Regulated by Malta Tax & Customs Administration (MTCA, formerly CFR). Commonly used as a retirement/passive-income residency route.

Malta Retirement Programme (MRP)

Special tax-residency status for EU/EEA/Swiss and non-EU nationals who are not in employment and receive a pension as their regular source of income, wishing to retire in Malta.

Distinct from the Global Residence Programme (GRP): the MRP is specifically for pensioners. Grants a flat 15% tax rate on foreign pension income remitted to Malta, with a minimum annual tax of €7,500 plus €500 per dependant/household staff member. The pension must be remitted to Malta and represent at least 75% of the beneficiary's chargeable income; the applicant must not be in an employment relationship. Property requirement: purchase a qualifying property of at least €275,000 (€220,000 in Gozo or South Malta), OR rent at least €9,600/year (€8,750 in Gozo or South Malta). Beneficiary must reside in Malta for an average of at least 90 days per calendar year over any 5-year period and not reside in any other single jurisdiction for more than 183 days in a year. Non-refundable administrative fee: €2,500 (approx. USD 2,700). Applications must be submitted through an Authorised Registered Mandatary. Administered by the Malta Tax & Customs Administration (MTCA, formerly CFR). Open to both EU/EEA/Swiss and third-country national pensioners.

Working Holiday Visa - Australia

Allows Australian citizens aged 18–30 to live and work in Malta on a working holiday basis for up to one year.

Exclusively for Australian biometric passport holders. Age: 18–30 at time of application. Visa issued free of charge by Maltese authorities; applicant pays VFS service fee (amount not published on official page). Non-renewable and one-time use only. Requires: valid biometric passport (90+ days beyond stay), comprehensive medical insurance (hospitalisation, liability, medical repatriation), proof of reasonable funds for initial stay, return ticket or funds to purchase one, no criminal record, no dependents, no prior Working Holiday Visa for Malta. Applications via VFS (Identità's External Service Provider).

Working Holiday Visa - Andorra

Allows Andorran citizens aged 18–30 to live and work in Malta on a working holiday basis for up to one year.

Exclusively for Andorran biometric passport holders. Age: 18–30. Visa issued free of charge by Maltese authorities; applicant pays VFS service fee. Requires: valid biometric passport (90+ days beyond stay), comprehensive medical insurance, proof of funds, return ticket or funds, no criminal record, no dependents, no prior Malta working holiday visa. Applications via VFS.

Working Holiday Visa - Japan

Allows Japanese citizens aged 18–30 to live and work in Malta on a working holiday basis for up to one year.

Exclusively for Japanese biometric passport holders. Age: 18–30. Visa issued free of charge by Maltese authorities; applicant pays VFS service fee. Requires: valid biometric passport (90+ days beyond stay), comprehensive medical insurance, proof of funds, return ticket or funds, no criminal record, no dependents, no prior Malta working holiday visa. Applications via VFS. Interviews may be conducted.

Working Holiday Visa - New Zealand

Allows New Zealand citizens aged 18–30 to live and work in Malta on a working holiday basis for up to one year.

Exclusively for New Zealand biometric passport holders. Age: 18–30. Visa issued free of charge by Maltese authorities; applicant pays VFS service fee. Requires: valid biometric passport (90+ days beyond stay), comprehensive medical insurance (hospitalisation, liability, medical repatriation), proof of funds, return ticket or funds, no criminal record, no dependents, no prior Malta working holiday visa. Applications via VFS.

Working Holiday Visa - Youth of Maltese Descent

Allows young people aged 18–30 who can demonstrate Maltese descent to live and work in Malta on a working holiday basis for up to one year.

For applicants aged 18–30 who can demonstrate Maltese descent through documentation (ancestor birth certificates, passports or citizenship certificates), regardless of current nationality. Visa issued free of charge by Maltese authorities; applicant pays VFS service fee. Single entry, with the arrival date specified in the application (flight itinerary must show arrival 3+ months after the expression of interest). Processing approximately 6–8 weeks. Requires: valid passport (12+ months validity), police clearance (issued within 6 months), proof of funds equal to the Median National Equivalised Income OR a hosting letter from a Maltese citizen, private health insurance. Cannot be accompanied by dependents. Extensions require applying for a residence permit in-country. Applications via VFS (Identità's External Service Provider).

Malta Startup Residence Programme

Grants non-EU/EEA/Swiss startup founders, co-founders, and core employees residency in Malta to build and operate their startup business.

Founders/co-founders: 3-year permit renewable for up to 5 further years. Core employees: 3-year permit renewable for 3 further years. Startup must be registered no longer than 7 years globally and operate in eligible sectors (manufacturing, software, health/biotech, eco, or other innovative activities). Minimum paid-up share capital: €25,000 (plus €10,000 per additional co-founder beyond 4; max 6 co-founders). Core employees must earn min €30,000 gross annually. Business plan must be approved by Malta Enterprise. Application fee: €750/adult applicant for 3-year permit + €300 residence card issuance + €690 Jobsplus employment licence. Jointly administered by Residency Malta Agency and Malta Enterprise. Certain nationalities ineligible.

Single Permit (Residence and Employment)

The primary combined residence-and-work permit authorising a third-country national to legally reside and take up employment in Malta for a period exceeding six months.

Regulated by Subsidiary Legislation 217.17. A single application procedure combining an employment licence and a residence permit for third-country nationals employed in Malta for over 6 months; renewable. Applications must be submitted by the employer through the Single Permit Online Portal (live-in carers may apply directly if endorsed by the employer). Requires health insurance with minimum €100,000 coverage for the entire period of stay. On approval an Approval in Principle letter is issued; the applicant then applies for an entry visa (National Type D) as applicable and attends the Expatriates Unit in Msida for biometric capture. The Key Employee Initiative, Specialist Employee Initiative and EU Blue Card are fast-track or specialised variants of this permit. Managed by Identità's Expatriates Unit.

Key Employee Initiative (KEI) Single Permit

Fast-track single permit for non-EU nationals accepting managerial or highly technical positions in Malta, or roles in endorsed startups, with a minimum annual gross salary of €45,000.

Processing time: 5 working days from complete application submission. Initial permit valid 1 year; renewable up to 3 years. Fee: €600 for first application; €150/year for renewal. Minimum annual gross salary: €45,000. Employer must advertise the role for at least 2 weeks within 2 months prior to application. Managed by Identità's Expatriates Unit.

Specialist Employee Initiative (SEI) Single Permit

Single permit for non-EU nationals in skilled roles meeting minimum qualification and salary criteria (MQF Level 6+ or equivalent experience, minimum €30,000 gross annually).

For non-EU nationals not meeting KEI criteria. Minimum annual gross salary: €30,000. Requires MQF Level 6+ qualification OR lower-level qualification plus 3+ years relevant experience proven via contracts/references. Standard Single Permit process applies (processing time not specified). Managed by Identità's Expatriates Unit.

EU Blue Card

Residence and work permit for non-EU nationals with advanced professional qualifications and a high-salary job offer in Malta, issued under the EU Blue Card Directive.

Issued under the EU Blue Card Directive. Holders may move between EU member states after 18 months of legal residence. Managed by Identità's Expatriates Unit. Full eligibility requirements and fee schedule available from Identità.

Family Reunification Residence Permit (Family Member)

Allows a third-country national legally residing in Malta (the sponsor) to be joined by eligible family members - spouse and minor children - from abroad.

Regulated by Subsidiary Legislation 217.06 (Family Reunification Regulations). The sponsor must hold a valid Malta residence permit and have resided legally and continuously in Malta; an application may be submitted only after a minimum of 12 months from issuance of the sponsor's initial residence permit. Eligible family members: spouse (minimum age 21, monogamous marriage) and unmarried minor children under 18 (including legally adopted children). The sponsor must show stable and regular income (at least the national median annual wage plus 20% for each dependent), adequate accommodation, and health insurance with minimum €100,000 coverage per family member. Travel document must have at least 8 months' validity at submission. Applicants who do not meet the SL 217.06 criteria may still qualify under a separate Family Members Policy. Applications submitted online through the Expatriates Unit Portal. Managed by Identità's Expatriates Unit.

Diplomatic / Official Visa Exemption (Bilateral Treaties)

Visa-free access for holders of diplomatic, official, service or special passports of qualifying countries under bilateral agreements or national derogations communicated to the EU Commission.

Malta has bilateral visa-waiver agreements for diplomatic/official/special passports with China (diplomatic: up to 30 days), Qatar (diplomatic/special), Pakistan (diplomatic/official). National derogations from the Schengen visa requirement also cover diplomatic/service/special passport holders from: Algeria (diplomatic), Bolivia (diplomatic/service), Egypt (diplomatic/service/special), India (diplomatic), Indonesia (diplomatic/service), Jordan (diplomatic), Kazakhstan (diplomatic), Morocco (diplomatic/service), Oman (diplomatic/service/special), Philippines (diplomatic/service), Thailand (diplomatic/service), Tunisia (diplomatic/service), Turkey (diplomatic/service). Source: EU OJ national derogations notice CELEX:52023XC0927(01) and individual bilateral treaty pages on foreign.gov.mt.