Tourist visa for Malta: documents, fees and steps

Documents requested

Passport valid for at least 3 months after return from the Schengen area, with at least two blank pages, issued less than 10 years agoConditions and details
The travel document must remain valid for at least three months after the planned date of departure from the Schengen area (or, in the case of several visits, after the last planned exit), have at least two blank pages and have been issued within the last ten years. The Maltese ministry formulates it as follows: the passport's expiry date must fall three months after the return from the Schengen State. A derogation is possible only in the case of a justified emergency.
Schengen visa application form, completed legibly and signed by the applicantConditions and details
Malta's embassies and consulates require a form completed entirely and legibly, signed by the applicant. The harmonised Schengen visa application form can be downloaded from the website of the Maltese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in English only or with Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Turkish.
Identity photograph compliant with ICAO standardsConditions and details
The Visa Code requires, when the application is submitted, a photograph compliant with international standards (ICAO document 9303). Malta's embassies specify that a digital image of the face is also taken at the appointment, with the face having to be clearly visible.
Travel health insurance valid throughout the entire Schengen area for the whole duration of the stay, with coverage of at least 30 000 eurosConditions and details
For a single- or double-entry visa, the applicant proves that they hold adequate and valid travel medical insurance covering the possible costs of repatriation for medical reasons, of emergency medical care, of emergency hospitalisation or of death. It is valid throughout the territory of the Member States and covers the entire duration of the intended stay, with minimum coverage of 30 000 euros. For a multiple-entry visa, it covers the first intended visit. The insurance is in principle taken out in the country of residence, and consulates verify that claims for reimbursement would be recoverable in a Member State. Holders of diplomatic passports are exempt from it, and the requirement may be deemed met for certain professional categories, such as seafarers.
Supporting documents proving the purpose of the stayConditions and details
The Maltese ministry indicates that the supporting documents requested serve first to demonstrate the purpose of the stay; the Visa Code provides for documents indicating the purpose of the journey. The detailed list is that of the mission handling the application.
Proof of accommodation for the entire duration of the stay, or evidence of sufficient resources to pay for itConditions and details
The Maltese ministry lists accommodation for the duration of the stay among the usual supporting documents; the Visa Code also accepts, instead, proof of sufficient means to cover accommodation costs. The form of the supporting document appears in the list of the mission handling the application.
Supporting documents showing sufficient means of subsistence for the duration of the stay and for the return to the country of origin or residenceConditions and details
The applicant proves sufficient means of subsistence during the intended stay and for the return to their country of origin or residence, or the possibility of lawfully acquiring such means. The mission indicates the accepted supporting documents.
Elements showing the intention to leave the Schengen area before the visa expires (ties in the country of residence)Conditions and details
The Maltese ministry cites proof of the intention to return to the country of residence at the end of the stay; the Visa Code speaks of information making it possible to assess the applicant's intention to leave the territory of the Member States before the visa expires.

Depending on your situation

Collection of biometric data at the appointment (facial image and ten fingerprints), except reuse of fingerprints recorded less than 59 months agoConditions and details
Malta's embassies collect biometric data during the appointment: facial image taken with a digital device and fingerprints captured with a scanner. On a first application, the applicant appears in person. If their fingerprints were recorded in the Visa Information System less than 59 months ago, they are reused; children under 12 are exempt from fingerprints. The questionnaire does not collect this information: the condition must be verified by the applicant.
Valid residence permit of the country of filing, for the foreign applicant who legally resides thereConditions and details
The applicant files the application with the Maltese mission of the country where they reside. They may not file it in another country unless they hold a valid residence permit there. The questionnaire does not collect the residence permit: the condition must be verified by the applicant.

Official fees

Schengen short-stay visa (type C) — adult 90 €
Schengen short-stay visa (type C) — applicants from Armenia, Azerbaijan and Belarus 35 €
Schengen short-stay visa (type C) — applicants from Cape Verde 67.50 €

Steps

Check whether the nationality is subject to the visa requirement (Annexes I and II to Regulation (EU) 2018/1806); a resident of another Schengen State holding a valid residence permit does not need a visa.
Choose the visa type: a Schengen type C visa for up to 90 days, processed by the embassies and consulates; for more than 90 days, a national type D visa processed by Identità.
Locate the Maltese mission in the country of residence or, failing that, the State that represents Malta in that country; if there is no mission or representation, write to the Maltese Ministry of Foreign Affairs (visa.foreign@gov.mt).
Download the Schengen visa application form, fill it in legibly and sign it, then gather the supporting documents from the list of the mission handling the application.
Make an appointment with the mission or the approved submission centre, then submit the application no earlier than 6 months and no later than 15 calendar days before the planned departure date.
Attend the appointment: submission of the file, recording of biometric data and payment of the visa fees, which are non-refundable, according to the payment method set by the mission.
Wait for the decision: usual processing time of 15 calendar days, which may extend up to 45 calendar days if additional documents or a more detailed examination are necessary.

Where to apply

Embassy or consulate of Malta in the applicant's country of residence (list of Maltese missions abroad at missions.foreign.gov.mt)
Approved visa application centre (VFS) when the Maltese mission uses one, for example in Tunis: appointment mandatory, sometimes with additional service fees
Embassy or consulate of another Schengen State that represents Malta, when there is no Maltese mission in the country of residence (list of representation agreements published by Identità)
Maltese Ministry of Foreign Affairs (visa.foreign@gov.mt), when neither a Maltese mission nor a representation exists in the country of residence

Good to know

Filing periodAn application may be filed no earlier than 6 months and no later than 15 calendar days before the intended date of travel.
Appointment in high seasonConditions and details
Malta's embassies specify that, because of the large number of applications in season, an appointment may only be available after several weeks, and that they are not responsible for travel costs lost in the event of a late filing.
Processing timeThe usual examination time is 15 calendar days; it may go up to 45 calendar days if additional documents or an in-depth examination are necessary.
Consultation of other Schengen StatesConditions and details
Certain Schengen States ask to be consulted on applications that nationals of certain countries file with another Schengen State; this consultation may last up to 7 calendar days. Malta's embassies refer to the European list of the countries concerned.
Multiple-entry visaA multiple-entry visa is in general granted to applicants who have already held and successfully used several Schengen visas.
Visa extensionConditions and details
A Schengen visa may be extended only for force majeure, humanitarian reasons or serious personal circumstances. For any other reason, the traveller leaves the Schengen area and applies again for a visa from their country of residence.
Change of travel datesNo notification to the authorities is necessary if the new travel dates remain within the validity period of the issued visa.
Holder of a residence permit of another Schengen StateConditions and details
The legal resident of another Schengen State does not need a new visa: they travel to Malta with their valid passport and residence permit and may stay there for up to 90 days. To reside in Malta for more than 90 days, they apply for a Maltese residence permit at the Expatriates Unit of Identità.
A British residence permit does not exempt its holder from the visa requirementConditions and details
The holder of a British residence permit is not exempt from a visa for Malta and the Schengen area: if they hold the nationality of a country subject to a visa requirement, they must apply for a visa. The same applies to refugee and stateless person travel documents issued by the United Kingdom.
Non-refundable fees and payment methodsConditions and details
Visa fees are not refundable. Depending on the mission, they are paid at the appointment in cash and in local currency (for example Tunisian dinars in Tunis) or in euros, cheques not being accepted. Additional fees may be added when the application goes through an accredited submission centre.
A visa does not give an automatic right of entryPossession of a visa does not confer an automatic right of entry into the Schengen area: the holder presents at the external border evidence that they meet the entry conditions.
Refusal and appealsConditions and details
In the event of refusal, annulment or revocation, the notification letter provides the complete information. The appeal is lodged within 15 days of the notification before the registry of the Immigration Appeals Board, against payment of 120 euros per application, online or in person in Valletta, with a copy of the refusal letter.
Beyond 90 days: national type D visaFor a stay of more than 90 days (91 days or more), the Schengen visa is not sufficient: a national type D visa is required, processed by Identità and not by the embassies.
Place of filingConditions and details
The application is filed with the Maltese mission of the country of residence; the applicant may not file it from another country unless they hold a valid residence permit there. Where there is no Maltese mission, they apply to the State that represents Malta.

Nationalities covered

This procedure applies to 104 nationalities.

Afghanistan
Algeria
Angola
Armenia
Azerbaijan
Bahrain
Bangladesh
Belarus
Belize
Benin
Bhutan
Bolivia
Botswana
Burkina Faso
Burundi
Cambodia
Cameroon
Cape Verde
Central African Republic
Chad
China
Comoros
Congo
Côte d'Ivoire
Cuba
Democratic Republic of the Congo
Djibouti
Dominican Republic
Ecuador
Egypt
Equatorial Guinea
Eritrea
Eswatini
Ethiopia
Fiji
Gabon
Gambia
Ghana
Guinea
Guinea-Bissau
Guyana
Haiti
India
Indonesia
Iran
Iraq
Jamaica
Jordan
Kazakhstan
Kenya
Kuwait
Kyrgyzstan
Laos
Lebanon
Lesotho
Liberia
Libya
Madagascar
Malawi
Maldives
Mali
Mauritania
Mongolia
Morocco
Mozambique
Myanmar
Namibia
Nepal
Niger
Nigeria
North Korea
Oman
Pakistan
Palestine
Papua New Guinea
Philippines
Qatar
Russia
Rwanda
São Tomé and Príncipe
Saudi Arabia
Senegal
Sierra Leone
Somalia
South Africa
South Sudan
Sri Lanka
Sudan
Suriname
Syria
Tajikistan
Tanzania
Thailand
Togo
Tunisia
Türkiye
Turkmenistan
Uganda
Uzbekistan
Vanuatu
Vietnam
Yemen
Zambia
Zimbabwe

Official links

Regulation - 810/2009 - EN - EUR-Lex (new tab) eur-lex.europa.eu
Services - Missions Malta (new tab) missions.foreign.gov.mt
General Visa Questions - Missions Malta (new tab) missions.foreign.gov.mt
Visa - Identità (new tab) identita.gov.mt
Services - Missions Malta (new tab) missions.foreign.gov.mt
Central Visa Unit Sec Page - Visa Appeals Procedure - Identità (new tab) identita.gov.mt
Identità — Central Visa Unit (Malta) (new tab) identita.gov.mt
Central Visa Unit Sec Page - Schengen Visa - Identità (new tab) identita.gov.mt

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