January 2024 marks the start of a new expedited application process for highly skilled foreign workers. The Specialist Employee Initiative (SEI) Single Work Permit will provide fast-tracked services to highly skilled third-country nationals, who may not be eligible for the Key Employee Initiative, but who hold the relevant academic, vocational or technical skills in line with their employment offer in Malta.
The scheme will facilitate the issuing of work/residence permits if the employee meets certain criteria in terms of qualifications and salary. The eligibility criteria for the Specialist Employee Initiative include an annual gross salary of at least €25,000 (updated to €30,000 as from 1st August 2025) per annum and must be in possession of either an MQF Level 6 or higher in an area directly related to the employment position being offered in Malta or other academic, vocational or other certified qualified skill qualifications, which equate to an MQF level lower than MQF Level 6, but which are directly related to the position being offered by the Maltese employer, together with, a minimum of three years’ experience in a position directly related to the one being offered in Malta.
In fact, proof of experience must be presented in the form of either or a combination of previous employment contracts (signed by both employer and employee), employment history issued and officially certified (stamped or legalised) by the official employment authority in the country where employment was held or reference letters by former employer/s. Reference letters must show the start and end dates and details of the work carried out. The letters should contain clear contact details of the referee including a valid email address, postal address, and contact number. Identità may request additional documentation to determine eligibility.
The processing time for Specialist Employee Initiative (SEI) applications is fifteen working days, starting from the date of application submission of all the necessary documentation.
The three main eligibility criteria for Key Employee Initiative and Specialist Employee Initiative for the third-country national applicant:
Key Employee Initiative
- Un salaire de base brut minimum de 35 000 € (revalorisé à 45 000 € à compter du 1er août 2025)
- Le poste proposé à Malte est soit de direction, soit hautement technique
- Qualifications dûment certifiées et reconnues du candidat par (MQRIC)
- Délai de traitement – cinq jours ouvrables
Specialist Employee Initiative
- Un salaire brut de base minimum de 25 000 € (porté à 30 000 € à compter du 1er août 2025)
- Le poste proposé à Malte est professionnel ou technique
- Niveau MQF 6 minimum ou qualifications équivalentes directement liées au poste
- En cas d'un MQF inférieur au niveau 6, une preuve d'un minimum de trois ans d'expérience dans un poste directement lié à celui proposé à Malte
- Délai de traitement – quinze jours ouvrables
More info here: https://sciberras.legal/practice-areas/work-permits-residency/
If you are a local employer seeking to employ third country nationals, Sciberras Advocates can handle the work permit, visa and residency process including Single Work Permits, Key Employee Initiative (KEI) applications and Specialist Employee Initiative (SEI) applications.
Cet article est à titre informatif seulement et ne doit pas être interprété comme un avis juridique.
Article rédigé par Mme Charlene Sciberras, B.A. (Hons), rédactrice invitée, est une spécialiste du marketing et de la gestion d'entreprise avec un accent particulier sur les questions d'entreprise, comptables et juridiques.
Sciberras Advocates, fondé par Dr Adrian Sciberras, est un cabinet d'avocats basé à Malte. Le cabinet s'enorgueillit d'être multidisciplinaire, innovant et flexible afin de répondre aux évolutions et aux défis du paysage juridique local et international. Quelle que soit la complexité des demandes privées ou d'entreprise, Sciberras Advocates propose des solutions juridiques pratiques et rentables pour atteindre les résultats souhaités. Vous pouvez contacter Sciberras Advocates par téléphone au +35627795222ou par courriel sur [email protected].
