A 2025 Guide to Malta Long Stay Visas

An opportunity of a lifetime is ahead of you: spending multiple months in the warm and sunny island country of Malta!

There are a lot of things you need to do to prepare for your travels - learn about Malta and the city you'll be staying in, figure out how you're going to get there and where you're going to stay, and start packing.

However, before you can set sail towards the turquoise waters of the Maltese coast, you need to make sure that you have the right permissions to enter and stay in Malta.

In this guide, we're going to be taking a look at Malta long stay visas. We'll cover common questions like who needs one, which types there are, and how to apply so you can approach your journey to Malta with the knowledge you need.

What is a Malta long stay visa?

In order to travel to Malta, there are different entry requirements for foreigners of different nationalities. Some need a visa to head to Malta, others do not.

When it comes to long stays in Malta (trips over 90 days in length), most foreigners need to obtain a long stay visa, or "national visa".

A Malta long stay visa/national visa is a visa that allows a foreigner to stay in Malta for a period of 91 days or longer for a specific purpose. This purpose can be for work, to study, to join a family member, or a list of other reasons.

We will talk about this more in sections to come.

Who needs a long stay visa for Malta?

Most foreigners will need to apply for and obtain a long stay visa before they spend ample time in the country.

If you are NOT an EU/Schengen country citizen AND intend to stay in Malta for more than 90 days, you will need to hold a valid long stay visa for Malta.

There are several types of national visas, and the one you need to apply for depends on what you will be doing during your time in this stunning country.

Types of Malta long stay visas

Long stay visas in Malta are often referred to as national visas. You may also see them referred to as Type D visas or D Type visas. While the names differ, these terms all refer to the same thing: a visa that allows you to stay in Malta for more than 90 days.

When applying for a national visa for Malta, it's absolutely essential that you apply for the right one. The right one for you is the one that matches your reason for spending time in Malta.

There are long stay visas for workers, students, family members of legal Malta residents, and more. Options include:

• Employment
• Studying
• Joining a family member (called family reunification)
• Business
• Cultural visit
• Digital nomad
• Medical
• Court
• Citizenship or residence program
• Religious
• Diplomatic
• Political
• Scientific researcher or trainee

While there are many different types of visas that Malta offers, keep in mind that what is available to you and the process for applying may vary from country to country and depending on your nationality.

Which Malta long stay visa do I need?

As we mentioned above, you should apply for the one that matches your reason for traveling to Malta.

Keep in mind that while generally anyone can apply for a Malta long stay visa, there are requirements that you will need to meet in order to qualify. We will discuss those requirements in just a few.

How to apply for a long stay visa for Malta

While the thought might seem overwhelming, the application process is pretty straightforward. There are a few steps to the process that you will need to follow (with attention to detail).

The following steps are how the process goes. In the next section, we will address a couple of these steps in more detail.

Step one. Determine which visa you need

As you can see, there are several different types of visas. You need to make sure that you apply for the correct one for your situation. If you are traveling to Malta with a company, university, or other program, they may be able to advise you on which one you need.

Step two. Assess whether or not you meet the visa qualifications

There are qualifications that you will need to meet when you apply. Generally speaking, there is a list of "standard" qualifications that all applicants will need to meet, and then another list that is dependent on the specific type of visa you're applying for.

We will talk about more about those requirements in the coming sections.

Step three. Initiate the process.

You will need to initiate the official application process online. Depending on the type of visa you are applying for, you will need to either initiate the process by emailing visa services for the Maltese government or by contacting your local visa application center.

Step four. Prepare your application

Once you know which visa you're applying for and what the requirements are, it's time to begin preparing your application.

There will be a list of required documents that coincide with the visa you're applying for. Your application will consist of all of the documents listed. You need to collect the documents in the requested formats.

Step five. Book and attend an in-person visa appointment

Next, many applicants will need to book an in-person appointment at a visa application center in their country of residence. When you attend this appointment, you will need to bring all of the necessary documents with you so you can submit your application.

(Please note that depending on your nationality and the type of visa you're applying for, there may be an online option. You can read more information about it here.)

Step six. Wait for an answer.

Once you have submitted your documents, the only thing left to do is wait and keep an eye out for an answer!

Malta long stay visa requirements

Applicants need to make sure that they meet the requirements for all long stay visas as well as the ones for the specific visa they're applying for.

Requirements include:

• A long stay visa application form that is completed and signed.
• A valid passport that was issued within the past 10 years. This passport also needs to have 3 months of validity BEYOND your stay in Malta OR at least 8 months of validity remaining.
• One passport-sized photo that adheres to ICAO standards.
• Proof of travel medical insurance. Your policy needs to be valid in Malta and cover you for the entire duration of your stay.
• Proof of accommodation for your first month in Malta.
• Proof of financial means. You must prove that you can provide for yourself (financially) during your time in Malta.
• Booked flight tickets.
• Proof of visa fee payment.

💡Keep in mind that you should always get actionable information from official sources, like the Maltese Embassy or a trusted partner (such as a visa application center). They will have the most accurate and up-to-date information about immigration procedures, policies, and requirements.

While those are the general requirements that all applicants must meet (there may be some exclusions), there are also specific requirements depending on which visa you're applying for.

For example, students must present an original acceptance letter from a Maltese educational institution. This acceptance letter has to show course details, the duration of the program, its fees, and proof that the fees have been paid.

You can find all of the requirements on the official Maltese site here.

FAQs: Malta long stay visas