Malta
Malta Startup Residence Programme
if you would continue with a business
Onboard Living · Malta
A year in Malta – studying, working, in English
The Malta student residence permit is the simplest way into Europe: a licensed school, a student visa, then a residence card, and student work of 20 hours a week alongside your studies. A Schengen country, everyday life in English. We handle your case from choosing the school to the residence card.
Malta
The programme in brief
- Who it is for
- A non-EU national on a full-time course of more than 90 days at a licensed school in Malta
- Course
- A licensed English language school (ELT Council licence) or an accredited higher or vocational education institution (MFHEA)
- First step
- National D visa for study: up to 180 days, renewable in Malta up to 365 days from first entry
- Residence card
- For higher education (MQF 5+), apply before the visa expires; for language courses, after a full visa year
- Validity
- The card is typically for 1 year or the length of the course; renewable each year
- Student work
- Up to 20 hours a week, with a work permit; for language courses, after week 12
- Proof of means of subsistence
- 75% of the Maltese minimum wage for each month of study (EUR 26 per day under the 2025 guidance; EUR 18 with prepaid accommodation)
- Insurance
- Travel insurance of EUR 30,000 for the visa; health insurance with cover of at least EUR 100,000 for the residence card
- Appearance in person
- Yes: visa application in person (VFS Global or consulate), biometrics in Malta
- Processing time
- Visa 4–8 weeks; residence card a few weeks, at most 90 days
- Official fees
- Visa EUR 100 (+ VFS fee); residence card EUR 50; work permit EUR 150 + EUR 80
- Route to settlement
- Study time does not count towards long-term residence; after higher education, a 9-month permit to seek employment, then a work permit through an employer
- Family
-
- spouse : no
- child under 18 : no
- parent : no
family members cannot be included; a parent can come separately, in their own right – even on the same study basis
Benefits
Why it works for you
-
The simplest way into Europe
No investment, no employer, no high income to prove: a letter of acceptance from a licensed school and means of subsistence are enough.
-
Everyday life in English
English is an official language of Malta; studying, administration and work all happen in English.
-
Work alongside study
With a work permit you can work 20 hours a week, on language courses after week 12.
-
A full year, planned
A visa for up to 180 days, renewed in Malta up to one year from entry; for higher education, a residence card renewable each year.
-
Schengen travel
With a Maltese residence card you can travel in the Schengen area.
-
A way to continue
After higher education, a 9-month permit to seek employment, and if you find an employer, the work permit can be applied for from Malta.
Who it is for
Who it is for – and who it is not for
Who it is for
- A young adult or career changer spending a year in Europe studying English, with student work on the side.
- Someone planning higher or vocational education in Malta, then work there.
- The first family member to enter Europe – the others can follow in their own right, even on the same study basis.
Who it is not for
- Anyone who would not study: the stay depends on attending a full-time course of at least 15 hours a week; absence leads to loss of the permit.
- Anyone who would work full time: student work is limited to 20 hours a week, and only with a work permit.
- Anyone seeking immediate settlement or citizenship: study time does not count towards long-term residence.
- Anyone wanting to add their family to the student's permit: this is not possible; a parent can come separately, in their own right – even on the same basis.
Requirements
Requirements and documents
Requirements
- Admission to a licensed Maltese institution: for English language schools, an ELT Council licence; for higher or vocational education, MFHEA accreditation; full-time, at least 15 hours a week, for more than 90 days.
- Tuition fees paid before the application.
- Proof of means of subsistence: 75% of the Maltese minimum wage for each month of study (EUR 26 per day under the 2025 guidance, EUR 18 per day with prepaid accommodation), with 3 months of bank statements or a sponsor's declaration and proof of the sponsor's means.
- Accommodation in Malta: a registered tenancy agreement, school accommodation or a licensed provider – for the visa, at least the first 14 nights.
- Travel insurance covering EUR 30,000 for the visa; health insurance covering at least EUR 100,000 for the residence card.
- Health screening in Malta for courses longer than 3 months.
- Passport: at least 10 months of validity for the visa.
- Police clearance certificate: the Maltese authority may ask for one case by case; we check at pre-screening whether you need it.
Documents required
- Visa application form, 2 photographs
- Passport (valid for at least 10 months) and copies of previous visas
- Letter of acceptance stating the course level, start and end dates and hours
- Proof of payment of tuition fees
- 3 months of bank statements – or a sponsor's declaration, the sponsor's ID and proof of their means
- Proof of accommodation
- Travel insurance (EUR 30,000), then health insurance (EUR 100,000)
- Flight ticket or booking
- For applicants under 18: birth certificate, the parents' passports and notarised consent
- All documents in English or with a certified translation, with apostille
Reasons for refusal
Why applications are refused – and how we prevent it
The national visa for study and the residence permit are decided by Identità, Malta's agency for identity and residence documents. For higher education, under S.L. 217.22 the application must be refused if proof of admission, tuition fees, means of subsistence or insurance is missing, if the institution is not approved, if any document is false, or if there are objective reasons pointing to a different purpose of stay. For language school students, visa policy applies the same criteria.
-
An unlicensed school or an incomplete letter of acceptance
The school must be licensed by the ELT Council (language schools) or the MFHEA (higher education); the letter must state the institution's registered name and the course level, hours, duration and address.
We: work only with licensed schools and check the letter before submission.
-
Insufficient financial means
75% of the Maltese minimum wage for each month of study, with 3 months of bank statements and a bank letter; with a sponsor, the sponsor's statements, declaration and ID; a copy of an international bank card.
We: calculate the means for the length of the course and review the statements in advance.
-
Unsuitable insurance
Cover of at least EUR 30,000, for the whole Schengen area, for study purposes.
We: recommend a suitable policy.
-
Gaps in travel and accommodation
A full flight ticket (arrival no more than 2 weeks before the start; a return ticket for courses shorter than 6 months) and accommodation for at least the first 14 nights.
We: align the bookings with the visa rules.
-
Late submission, passport
The application must be submitted at least 9 weeks before the course starts; the passport must be valid for at least 10 months.
We: schedule the submission by counting back from the course start.
-
Doubts about the purpose of stay
Previous breaches of Schengen rules, overstays, a false booking or document – these lead to refusal and weigh on later applications too.
We: ask about your travel history at pre-screening.
-
After the permit
Attendance of at least 75%; the school reports unjustified absence, and the visa can be withdrawn; work of no more than 20 hours a week, with a permit; renewal must be requested 30–21 days before expiry, with proof of attendance.
We: remind you of the renewal deadline.
Legal basis: S.L. 217.22, regulations 7, 11, 16–18 and 21; the Identità student visa document checklist (August 2025); ELT Council – Students Guidelines (March 2025).
Process
How the process works
In total typically 2–3 months before the course starts
- Pre-screening and choosing a school duration: 1 week
- Admission and tuition fees duration: 1–2 weeks
- Visa application and processing duration: 4–8 weeks
- Entry and health screening duration: 1–2 weeks
-
1. step: Pre-screening and choosing a school
we look at your age, study goal and means, and choose the licensed school and course.
Duration: 1 week
-
2. step: Admission and tuition fees
letter of acceptance, payment of tuition fees.
Duration: 1–2 weeks
-
3. step: Visa application
appointment at VFS Global or the consulate, submission in person with biometrics, at least 9 weeks before the course starts.
Duration: 4–8 weeks' processing
-
4. step: Entry and health screening
arrival, screening for courses longer than 3 months, sorting out your address.
-
5. step: Renewal or residence card
the visa can be renewed 30–21 days before expiry, up to one year from entry; for higher education, an online application for the residence card, biometrics, collecting the card.
Duration: A few weeks
-
6. step: Student work
applying for a work permit with the employer; for language courses, after week 12.
-
7. step: Continuing
yearly renewal, or after higher education a 9-month permit to seek employment.
Who does what
What we handle – what you need to do
We
- pre-screening
- choosing a licensed school and course, liaising with the school
- obtaining the letter of acceptance and proof of tuition payment
- preparing the visa application and the VFS appointment
- preparing the sponsor's declaration and proof of means
- arranging accommodation
- the renewal or residence card application
- preparing the work permit with the employer
You
- tuition fees and means of subsistence
- original documents
- appearing in person for the visa application and biometrics
- attending the course (at least 15 hours a week)
Afterwards
After the permit
- at the start Study D visa for up to 180 days (permit)
- year 0.5 Renewal in Malta up to 365 days (renewal)
- year 1 Residence card for the course, renewable each year (permit)
- year 2 9-month permit to seek employment after higher education (permit)
Study time does not count towards long-term residence; you can continue with a work permit.
-
Renewal
the residence card can be renewed each year while your studies continue; apply before it expires.
-
Student work
with a work permit, up to 20 hours a week; self-employment is not allowed.
-
After higher education
a one-off, 9-month permit to seek employment; if you find an employer, the work permit can be applied for from Malta.
-
Long-term residence
time spent in Malta for study does not count; the count starts with a work permit.
-
Family
family members cannot be included in a study permit; a parent can come separately, in their own right – even on the same study basis.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Can I work while studying?
Yes, with a work permit, up to 20 hours a week: on language courses after week 12, in higher education from the first year. Self-employment is not allowed.
How much money do I need to show?
75% of the Maltese minimum wage for each month of study; the 2025 official guidance calculates EUR 26 per day, or EUR 18 with prepaid accommodation. We calculate the exact amount for your course in the quote.
Can my family sponsor me?
Yes: with a sponsor's declaration, the sponsor's ID and proof of their means. The sponsor's payments must show on the bank statements.
How long can I stay?
The visa is for up to 180 days, renewable in Malta up to one year from entry. In higher education you receive a residence card renewable each year; on language courses, a card after a full visa year.
Which schools can I choose?
Only licensed institutions: English language schools with an ELT Council licence, higher and vocational education with MFHEA accreditation. The list of licensed schools is public; we choose from it.
Does study time count towards settlement?
No. Under Maltese rules, residence for study does not count towards the 5 years required for long-term residence. The count starts when you continue with a work permit.
Do I need a police clearance certificate?
The Maltese authority may ask for one case by case for the residence card; the official checklist does not require it for the visa. We check at pre-screening whether you need one.
News
Related news
Sources
Sources and updates
Last checked:
- Identità – residence for study, frequently asked questions (opens in a new tab)
- Identità – student visa for courses over 90 days (opens in a new tab)
- Identità – student visa, extension of stay in Malta (opens in a new tab)
- Identità – student work (opens in a new tab)
- Identità – student visa document checklist (August 2025) (opens in a new tab)
- ELT Council – licensed English language schools (opens in a new tab)
- MFHEA – accredited institutions and programmes (opens in a new tab)
- S.L. 217.22 – rules on residence for study (opens in a new tab)
- ELT Council – Students Guidelines (March 2025) (opens in a new tab)