Types of Appeals at the Immigration Appeals Board (IAB) office in Valletta
If your Single Permit Application was refused, you have a right to appeal this decision with the Immigration Appeals Board within three days of the notification of such decision in accordance with Article 20(2) of Subsidiary Legislation 217.17.
If your Visa Application was refused, annulled or revoked by Maltese authorities, you have the right to appeal this decision with the Immigration Appeals Board within fifteen days of the notification of such decision as per Article 25A(5) of Chapter 217.
If you received a Return Order to go back to your country, you have the right to appeal this decision with the Immigration Appeals Board within three days of the notification of such decision. The right to appeal is also stated in Article 25A(5) of Chapter 217.
Appealing at the Immigration Appeals Board (IAB) office in Valletta
The following are instructions of how to appeal at the Immigration Appeals Boards.
Located in Malta
If you have received a refusal or a ban, and you would like to appeal, the best way forward is to go directly in person to the Immigration Appeals Board (IAB) office in Valletta and open an appeal. Once done, you will be given a receipt containing the appeal reference number and a deadline of 10 days to provide relevant submissions/supporting documentation.
When attending at the Immigration Appeals Board (IAB) office in Valletta you will need to fill in the Official Appeals Form which can be downloaded from the box below. Please ensure you take a copy of the Refusal Letter and your Residence Card / Passport.
Located overseas (in case of Visa Application refusals)
If you have received a refusal or a ban, and you would like to appeal, however you are located overseas, the best way forward is to contact Sciberras Advocates, and one of our immigration lawyers will handle the opening of the appeal. Once done, we will be given a receipt containing the appeal reference number and a deadline of one month to provide relevant submissions/supporting documentation.
Assistance through Sciberras Advocates, a Malta immigration and employment law firm
Once your appeal is open, you may set up an appointment with one of the immigration lawyers at Sciberras Advocates to request assistance services with the paperwork and submission file for your appeal. You will need to provide your identification documents and any papers or documents in hand to assist with building the case. Once your file is ready, we will make the submissions at the Immigration Appeals Board (IAB) office in Valletta and confirm submission through the receipt given to us by the same office.
When we submit an appeal application on your behalf, our engagement with you terminates as soon as the application is lodged, and an application reference is received. This is unless we have requested a tribunal hearing, which is most common for Single Permit Appeals. In this case, our legal team will follow up and accompany to represent you at the hearing.
In cases of Return Orders Appeals, it is possible that on certain instances, appeals are lodged directly with the Principal Immigration Officer (PIO), however this is decided on a case-by-case basis.
Why is it important to Appeal?
In certain cases, filing an appeal is crucial to avoid overstaying in Malta or falling into an irregular status. By submitting your appeal within the stipulated deadline, you safeguard your legal stay in Malta.
Address of the Immigration Appeals Board (IAB) office in Valletta
15, 1st Floor, City Gates Building, Ordinance Street, Valletta, VLT 1020
Directions: On top of Burger King… first floor to the right side going up the stairs.
Phone: +356 2568 9447 / +356 2568 9448
Opening hours of the Immigration Appeals Board (IAB) office in Valletta
The office is open every day from 8am to 12pm (except weekends and public holiday).
However, reduced hours are applicable during summer. The opening hours from 16th June to 30th September are as follows:
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday – open from 8am to 12pm | Wednesday – closed all day
The office is closed during weekends and public holidays.
Fees payable to the Registrar of the Immigration Appeals Board (IAB)
For the filing of an application of an appeal from decisions on the issuance of Single Permit Application (residence and work permit) – €45
For the filing of an application of an appeal from decisions on the issuance of visas – €120
For the filing of an application of an appeal from decisions on matters of carrier liability – €120
Important note: One can only pay by card. Cash payment is not accepted.
Notes in relation to Appeals the Immigration Appeals Board (IAB)
Kindly print out all necessary documents. Digital copies will not be accepted.
Keep your receipt safe. Make a photocopy, and scan and save it safely on your phone/pc.
Always carry a copy with you, as that document is proof that you have a regular position in Malta.
Renewing your Appeal at the Immigration Appeals Board (IAB)
An appeal is valid for two months, so it is important that you personally go to the Immigration Appeals Board (IAB) before the expiry date listed on the stamp, so that you renew your interest in the appeal. The office will make a new stamp with an extension date valid for another two months.
Checking status of your Appeal at the Immigration Appeals Board (IAB)
If you would like to check the status of your application, you may send an email as follows quoting the application reference number:
For Single Permit Appeal: [email protected]
For VISA Refusal Appeal: [email protected]
The application reference number will be in a format similar as follows:
For Single Permit Appeal: IAB/SP/1234/2025
For VISA Refusal Appeal: IAB/VISA/1234/25
The above numbers are examples of how the application reference number look.
Decision length of an Appeal at the Immigration Appeals Board (IAB)
Typically appeals take between 9 months to 1 year to get a result, but occasionally it can take longer. The reason is that the appeal needs to be sent to all the respective stakeholders for their comments after which they are passed on to the Board for their final decision.
Decision of an Appeal at the Immigration Appeals Board (IAB) office
Eventually you will receive an appointment for the decision of your appeal application. In this appointment you need to attend personally to collect the decision of your appeal. It’s important to take your passport with you, and if you have an immigration lawyer, you may consult with them beforehand to assist you accordingly.
Si su solicitud de apelación es aprobada, podrá continuar su estancia en Malta de acuerdo con las condiciones establecidas en la decisión.
If your appeal application is rejected, your passport will be taken by the Immigration Inspector in charge, and you will be given a receipt. You will then be required to leave the Malta within 10 – 15 days. However, you also have the right to file a further appeal before the Court of Appeal. If you wish to file a second appeal, please feel free to contact us.
Withdrawal of Appeals
To withdraw an appeal a withdrawal form needs to be completed and submitted to the Immigration Appeals Board in Valletta. One can download the form from here.
Please note that our team of immigration lawyers in Malta at Sciberras Advocates can assist you with appeals to protect your immigration status and residency in Malta. We encourage you to contact us for support on [email protected].
Este artículo es solo para fines informativos y no debe interpretarse como asesoramiento legal.
Article written by Ms Charlene Sciberras, B.A. (Hons), guest writer, a marketing and business administration specialist with a special focus on corporate, accounting, and legal matters.
Sciberras Advocates, fundado por el Dr. Adrian Sciberras, es un bufete de abogados con sede en Malta. La firma se enorgullece de ser multidisciplinar, innovadora y flexible para adaptarse a los tiempos cambiantes y a cualquier desafío en el panorama legal local e internacional. Sin importar las complejas demandas privadas o corporativas que se requieran, Sciberras Advocates ofrece soluciones legales prácticas y rentables para lograr los resultados deseados. Puede contactar a Sciberras Advocates por teléfono al +35627795222o por correo electrónico en [email protected].
