The Central Visa Unit (CVU) is the government’s immigration central authority responsible for the implementation of national visa policies and the provisions under the Schengen acquis (as far as visa matters are concerned). The responsibility of issuing a visa is shared with Malta’s Diplomatic Missions abroad.
The Central Visa Unit is committed to facilitating the issuance of a visa to all applicants, who have a valid and genuine reason to reach the Maltese territory.
Visit the CENTRAL VISA UNIT website to find out if you need VISA and if there is an embassy that can help you in your respective country. Please note that VISA application procedure is time consuming and one is to plan and apply at least 45 days in advance. Contact the Central Visa Unit for further details in relation to time planning and do not book your trip before you receive their guidance.
The Central Visa Unit (CVU) is responsible for:
- The monitoring of the visa process
- Ensures that the application of the ‘Common Consular Instructions on Visas’ is properly applied in all of Malta’s diplomatic missions and consular posts
- Consultation/s with central authorities of other Schengen Member States through the Schengen consultation network - VISION
- The training of Malta’s Consular Staff
- The preparation of Training Manuals for MFA Consular Staff
As Malta’s central authority, the CVU is equipped to forward and process visa requests rapidly, via the Visa Management System, which together with the networking facilitation between all of Malta’s diplomatic missions and consular posts, plays a vital role in the acceleration of application and authorisation procedures.
SUBSIDIARY LEGISLATION 217.04 Immigration Regulations
L.N. 81 of 2011 Immigration Act
What is a Visa?
A visa is an authorisation in the form of a sticker affixed to a passport that authorizes the bearer to stay in or travel through Malta during a limited, specified, period. The possession of a visa does not give the third-country national the automatic right of entry, as bearers must prove that they will meet the conditions of entry.
Notwithstanding the possession of a visa, border control authorities may refuse entry or annul the visa if it is established that:
- the bearer is not in possession of adequate means of subsistence;
- the data submitted during the visa application produced was incorrect or falsified;
- the bearer is unable to provide details regarding the circumstances of his/her stay in Malta.
Border control authorities may also refuse entry for security or public policy reasons. Malta mainly issues two (2) types of visas:
- The Schengen Visa (short stay), which is issued for a period not exceeding 90 days and is regulated by the EU’s harmonised provisions; and
- The National Visa (long stay / D-Visa), which is issued for a period exceeding 90 days, but no longer than 365 days, and in accordance with national rules.
The Schengen area and cooperation originate from the Schengen Agreement of 1985.
It represents a territory where the free movement of persons is guaranteed. The signatory States to the agreement have abolished all internal borders in lieu of a single external border. Therefore, common rules and procedures are applied to visas for short-stays, asylum requests and border controls. Simultaneously, cooperation and coordination between Police services and judicial authorities guarantee security. Schengen cooperation was incorporated into the European Union legal framework by the Treaty of Amsterdam of 1997.
A Schengen visa is an authorization issued by a Schengen State with a view to:
- transit through or an intended stay in the territory of the Schengen States of a duration of no more than 90 days in any 180 days period (“short stay visa”);
- transit through the international transit areas of airports of the Schengen States (“airport transit visa”).
Schengen Member States
To date, a total of 29 countries adhere to the Schengen Agreement; 25 EU Member States and another four (4) Associated States (non EU Member States) have abolished border control and have fully implement the Schengen acquis in relation to the issuance of a visa. The 29 Schengen Member States are Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland*, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein*, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway*, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland*
(* Non EU Member States)
While One (1) EU Members State – Cyprus – is not yet fully-fledged member of the Schengen area and another two (2) – Ireland and the United Kingdom – maintain autonomous visa, immigration and asylum policies and do not participate in Schengen cooperation.
Key Rules
The key rules adopted within the Schengen framework include:
- Removal of checks on persons at the internal borders;
- A common set of rules applying to people crossing the external borders of the EU Member States;
- Harmonisation of the conditions of entry and visas rules for short stays;
- Enhanced police cooperation (including rights of cross-border surveillance and hot pursuit);
- Stronger judicial cooperation through a faster extradition system and transfer of enforcement of criminal judgments;
- Establishment and development of the Schengen Information System (SIS).
Non-EU citizens (also known as third-country nationals) may visit Malta by means of a Schengen visa, which allows free movement within the whole Schengen Zone to European Union Schengen members as well as EFTA Schengen members. A Schengen visa is valid for a maximum of 90 days within every six-month period starting from the date of entry.
Those non-EU citizens hailing from the visa free-regime countries and who are exempt from applying for a Schengen Visa for travel purposes for the first 90 days are expected to apply for a National Visa if they wish to stay longer than 90 days.
The attainment of a Schengen visa to enter and reside for a specific amount of time in a Schengen area does not mean that the holder of such visa may take up employment or study in Malta.
Employment Visa:
A national visa processed for third country nationals who are in a position of a valid approval in principle letter issued by the Expatriates Unit or a Jobsplus Permit.
Student Visa:
A national visa processed for third country nationals who are enrolled in course longer than three months which is offered by a local educational institute.
National Visa
Policy for third-country nationals who wish to apply for a long-stay visa (D Visa)
This Long-stay visa (D Visa) process policy is subject to periodic review and may be updated or revised as deemed necessary by the Maltese authorities. The latest version of the policy is the one published on the official website of Identità.
A hard copy of the most recent rendition of the Policy can be requisitioned from the reception desk of the Identità, situated at Valley Road, Msida.
For inquiries or further information regarding the Long-stay visa process, applicants may contact the Central Visa Unit.
Third-country nationals wishing to enter the Schengen Area may do so provided that they have the required documents and necessary authorisation.
A Schengen visa will grant third-country nationals authorisation to enter and reside in Malta for a limited period of time, for a maximum period of 90 consecutive days within a period of 180 days. Regulation 2108/1806 lists those countries of origin which are required to obtain a Schengen visa, and also lists those countries which are exempted from such visa requirements. Such exemption would allow such nationals from such country of origin to enter and remain in the Schengen area for a maximum period of 90 consecutive days in 180 days without needing prior authorisation.
If a third-country national wishes to remain in the Schengen area for a period longer than 90 days, irrespective of their country of origin, such third-country national would need to obtain a Long-stay visa (D Visa) prior to their arrival in the Schengen area. While the Schengen visa is governed by Regulation 810/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council, the issuance of a long-stay visa falls within the competence of each Member State.
In this regard, there is no legislation governing long-stay visas, and therefore the scope of this policy is to outline the process and guidelines for foreign nationals seeking to apply for a long-stay visa through the Maltese authorities.
The main reasons for which an authorisation to stay in Malta for more than 90 days may be given include employment, studies, and family reunification. Long-stay visas may also be issued, provided that all the conditions are fulfilled, in cases of third-country nationals wishing to enter Malta for purposes of business, traineeship, sporting events, religious, medical, cultural, nomad, diplomat visits, working holiday, and humanitarian reasons.
Holders of a long-stay visa enjoy freedom of movement to other Schengen countries provided that the general entry conditions are fulfilled. The long-stay visa does not give an absolute right of entry in the Schengen zone. Entry may be refused if the conditions of stay are no longer met, or if there is a risk of abuse of procedure.
To find out all the details, applications, procedures and exceptions please visit https://identita.gov.mt/central-visa-unit-national-visa-long-stay-visa/
The premium visa application process is designed for individuals who reside, or are nationals, of a country without a diplomatic mission and are applying for a long-stay visa for purposes such as employment, family reunification, or study.
The extended visa application process, designed for individuals seeking an extended stay in a foreign country, is available in selected countries. The process will take 6-8 weeks, and involves the following steps:
To find out all the steps involved please visit https://identita.gov.mt/central-visa-unit-national-visa-long-stay-visa