Work permits for third country nationals (non-EU/EEA citizens) in Malta are regulated through a system called the Single Permit procedure managed by Identità. This work permit is regulated by Subsidiary Legislation 217.17 and it is a temporary-type permit which authorises third country nationals to reside and work in Malta for a defined period. This type of work permit combines an employment license and a residence permit. Applications for the Single Permit may be submitted when the third-country national is either still abroad, or when legally residing in the Malta or another Schengen state.
Key features of the Single Permit include:
- It is valid for a defined period, typically up to one year, and can be renewed.
- It is tied to a specific employer and job position.
- The permit (work and residence) becomes invalid if the employment relationship ends.
Employers in Malta are facing significant challenges with the Single Permit application process for third-country nationals, causing significant issues impacting their business. Despite efforts by the government agencies and authorities to make the process more efficient, these challenges and delays are generally attributed to high volume applications and lack of proper documentation submitted within the Identità portal. Such insufficient and incomplete paperwork causes significant delays in the processing time.
As an experienced law firm in Malta specialising in immigration and employment law, here at Sciberras Advocates we understand the challenges employers in Malta face with work permit applications for third-country nationals. Our expertise can significantly streamline the process and mitigate the common issues around the Single Permit system.
As one of the primary causes of delays is incomplete or improper documentation, with our in-depth knowledge of Identità’s requirements, rules and procedures, we ensure that all applications are submitted with meticulous attention to detail. This includes thorough review of employment contracts, verification of qualifications and certifications, proper compilation of supporting documents and more. Thanks to our expertise we can substantially reduce processing times and avoid unnecessary back-and-forth emails and submissions with authorities.
Our approach has consistently resulted in faster processing times for clients, often securing approvals within the official timeframe. Thanks to our tailored solutions, employers can navigate the complex work permit landscape in Malta with confidence, ensuring a smoother, faster, and more reliable process for hiring and retaining valuable third-country national employees.
Sciberras Advocates can handle all types of work permit application, including:
- Single Work Permit
- Specialist Employee Initiative (SEI) Single Work Permit
- Key Employee Initiative (KEI) Single Work Permit
- EU Blue Card – Malta
The Specialist Employee Initiative (SEI) and the Key Employee Initiative (KEI) are work and residence permits issued for highly qualified purposes under Maltese policies, whilst the EU Blue Card work permit is issued in accordance with the provisions of the relative EU directive. For more information on these please refer to this article: Malta Residence Permits for Highly Qualified Individuals.
For assistance on the Single Work Permit, Specialist Employee Initiative (SEI) Single Work Permit, Key Employee Initiative (KEI) Single Work Permit or Malta EU Blue Card applications in Malta, please do not hesitate to get in touch with us on [email protected].
This article is for information purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice.
Article written by Ms Charlene Sciberras, B.A. (Hons), guest writer, is a marketing and business administration specialist with a special focus on corporate, accounting, and legal matters.
Sciberras Advocates founded by Dr Adrian Sciberras, is a law firm based in Malta. The firm prides itself to be multi-disciplinary, innovative and flexible in order to meet the changing times and any challenges in the local and international legal scenario. No matter what private or corporate complex demands are called for, Sciberras Advocates offers practical and cost-effective legal solutions to achieve your desired results. You may reach Sciberras Advocates by phone on +35627795222 or via email on [email protected].
