Malta Visa: Requirements, Types, Fees & How to Apply
Start your applicationIt depends on your passport. Malta is one of the territories to make up the Schengen Area. EU and Schengen nationals do not need visas to enter Malta as they enjoy freedom of entry and exit. If you are from a non-visa-exempt country, you will need a Schengen visa to enter Malta. Schengen visas are valid for 180 days and allow the holder to stay in Malta for up to 90 days. A visa does not guarantee entry — border officials make the final determination at the port of entry.
Malta visa at a glance
- Government fee
- EUR 90 adult / EUR 45 child 6-12 — passed through at cost, no markup
- Official processing
- Varies — confirm with the Embassy of Malta
- Validity / stay
- Up to 90 days within 180 days
- Visa types
- 3
Do you need a visa for Malta?
ETIAS is a visa waiver program for nationals from visa-exempt countries who wish to visit Malta or any other Schengen country in Europe. ETIAS is also valid for 3 years and can be used multiple times. The policy is partially implemented, but by the start of 2024, all visa-exempt visitors must get ETIAS approval before they can enter the Schengen Area.
Malta visa types
- Schengen visa
- Tourism, business, family visits — Up to 90 days within 180 days
- Airport Transit visa
- Passing through Malta airport — Transit area only
- Digital Nomad Residence E-Permit
- Long-term remote work stay — Up to 1 year
Who is eligible
Whether you need a visa for Malta depends on your nationality:
Your legal residence also matters. Apply through the embassy or visa authority responsible for your country of residence.
Visa-exempt nationalities can enter Malta visa-free for short stays — ETIAS approval is required.
Visa-required nationalities need a Schengen visa for tourism, business, or family visits.
EU/Schengen nationals can enter Malta with valid ID cards if they don't have passports and stay indefinitely.
Documents required for a Malta visa
What the consulate expects in your file. The controlling checklist is always the one published for your country of residence.
- Valid passportSchengen visa · issued within the last 10 years, valid for at least 3 months beyond your intended departure from the Schengen Area, with at least 2 blank pages.
- Completed and signed Schengen visa application formSchengen visa · Completed and signed Schengen visa application form.
- Recent passport photoSchengen visa · Recent passport photo.
- Proof of travel itinerary (flight reservationSchengen visa · not a purchased ticket).
- Proof of accommodation (hotel booking or invitation)Schengen visa · Proof of accommodation (hotel booking or invitation).
- Proof of financial means (bank statements or employment letter)Schengen visa · Proof of financial means (bank statements or employment letter).
- Travel medical insurance with minimum coverage of EUR 30,000Schengen visa · Travel medical insurance with minimum coverage of EUR 30,000.
- Valid passportAirport Transit visa · Valid passport.
- Confirmed onward ticket to a non-Schengen destinationAirport Transit visa · Confirmed onward ticket to a non-Schengen destination.
- Visa or residence permit for the final destination if requiredAirport Transit visa · Visa or residence permit for the final destination if required.
- Valid passportDigital Nomad Residence E-Permit · Valid passport.
- Proof of remote work or self-employmentDigital Nomad Residence E-Permit · Proof of remote work or self-employment.
- Evidence of sufficient income or savingsDigital Nomad Residence E-Permit · Evidence of sufficient income or savings.
- Proof of accommodation in MaltaDigital Nomad Residence E-Permit · Proof of accommodation in Malta.
Malta visa fees and processing time
- Government fee
- EUR 90 adult / EUR 45 child 6-12 — passed through at cost, no markup
- Expedify processing fee
- Shown before you start
- Validity / stay
- Up to 90 days within 180 days
- Official processing
- Varies — confirm with the Embassy of Malta
Government fees are passed through at cost. Processing times are the authority's official estimate, stated as a fact — not a delivery promise.
How to apply for a Malta visa
The official route, step by step.
Confirm you need a visa
Check whether your nationality is visa-exempt or requires a Schengen visa. If you are an EU/Schengen national, you do not need a visa.
Get the current form and checklist from the Embassy of Malta for your country. Requirements differ by country
use their list, not a generic one.
Gather your documents
see the checklist in Required documents for a Malta visa above.
Submit your application
in person at the embassy or authorized visa center. Pay the government visa fee.
Wait for processing
official processing varies. Apply at least 7–10 days before travel. Don't book non-refundable flights until approved.
Collect your passport when a decision is made and a visa is issued
Collect your passport when a decision is made and a visa is issued.
Applying yourself vs. with Expedify
The authority decides your visa either way. The difference is how much of the process you carry.
Research
- Apply yourself
- Check Malta's requirements yourself
- With Expedify
- We confirm what you need for your route
Document check
- Apply yourself
- Common errors cause refusals
- With Expedify
- Pre-reviewed before submission
Appointments
- Apply yourself
- You book and attend yourself
- With Expedify
- We prepare your application and guide you
Status tracking
- Apply yourself
- You check the embassy portal
- With Expedify
- We track and notify you at every step
Government fee
- Apply yourself
- Same
- With Expedify
- Same — passed through at cost, no markup
At the border: what to expect
A visa lets you present yourself for entry — it does not guarantee admission. Entry into Malta is decided by immigration officials at the port of entry.
Entry requirements
- Valid passport with your visa or ETIAS approval.
- Return or onward travel ticket.
- Proof of accommodation and itinerary.
- Evidence of sufficient funds for your stay.
- Travel medical insurance with minimum coverage of EUR 30,000.
Conditions of stay
- Stay length is set by the officer at entry — it can be less than your visa's maximum.
- A tourist visa is not a work permit — no employment.
- No full-time study on a tourist visa.
- Depart before your permitted stay ends; overstaying is an immigration violation.
Common reasons a Malta visa is refused
Knowing these before you apply reduces your risk.
Incomplete or inconsistent documentation
documents that don't match your application form.
Insufficient financial means
evidence that doesn't clearly cover your trip.
Unclear travel purpose
an itinerary that doesn't explain where you're going and why.
Weak ties to your home country
limited evidence you'll return after your stay.
Frequently asked questions
Malta visa questions, answered.
More for your Malta trip
How we reviewed this page
Last verified Reviewed by Expedify Compliance Review
About this service
Expedify is a private application-assistance service, not a government agency, embassy, or consulate. Visas are granted solely by the destination country's authorities, and no third party can influence or guarantee a decision. Our agency fee covers preparation, review, and tracking of your application, and is separate from any consular fee. The information on this page is general guidance, not legal or immigration advice — requirements change and vary by nationality. Always confirm with the official embassy or consulate of the country you're visiting.