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
- Um salário bruto mínimo de base de 35 000 € (atualizado para 45 000 € a partir de 1 de agosto de 2025)
- A posição oferecida em Malta é de gestão ou altamente técnica
- Qualificações devidamente certificadas e reconhecidas do candidato por (MQRIC)
- Tempo de processamento – cinco dias úteis
Specialist Employee Initiative
- Um salário bruto mínimo de 25 000 € (atualizado para 30 000 € a partir de 1 de agosto de 2025)
- A posição oferecida em Malta é profissional ou técnica
- Nível Mínimo MQF 6 ou qualificações equivalentes diretamente relacionadas com a função
- No caso de um MQF inferior ao nível 6, prova de um mínimo de três anos de experiência numa posição diretamente relacionada com a que está a ser oferecida em Malta
- Tempo de processamento – quinze dias úteis
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.
Este artigo destina-se apenas a fins informativos e não deve ser interpretado como aconselhamento jurídico.
Artigo escrito por Ms Charlene Sciberras, B.A. (Hons), escritora convidada, especialista em marketing e gestão empresarial com foco especial em assuntos corporativos, contabilísticos e jurídicos.
A Sciberras Advocates, fundada pelo Dr. Adrian Sciberras, é uma sociedade de advogados sediada em Malta. A firma orgulha-se de ser multidisciplinar, inovadora e flexível, de modo a responder às mudanças dos tempos e a quaisquer desafios no cenário jurídico local e internacional. Independentemente das exigências complexas privadas ou corporativas, a Sciberras Advocates oferece soluções jurídicas práticas e rentáveis para alcançar os resultados desejados. Pode contactar a Sciberras Advocates por telefone através do +35627795222ou por e-mail em [email protected].
