Malta

Malta is an EU and Schengen member that uses the euro. Most skilled non-EU workers come on a Single Permit, with faster tracks for higher earners: the Key Employee Initiative, the Specialist Employee Initiative and the EU Blue Card.

🇪🇺 EU Member 🛂 Schengen Zone
Updated October 2026 2 min read
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For information only. Visa rules, processing times, and eligibility criteria change frequently. All information on this page is sourced from official government websites and verified as of the date shown. Always confirm your specific situation with the relevant embassy or a licensed immigration lawyer before applying. Full disclaimer ↗

Studying in Malta

Everything you need to know about getting a student visa, finding a university, and living in Malta as an international student.

Student Visa Requirements

Visa type: Study residence permit, with a long-stay (D) national visa first if you need a visa for the Schengen area.

Key requirements: A qualification recognised by MQRIC at MQF level 5. You must show funds of at least €745.68 a month of study (Identità sets the rule as a share of the monthly national minimum wage; the euro figure is Settily’s calculation), medical cover of at least €30,000 for the visa stage, and proof of payment of fees. The residence permit fee is €50 and the national student visa fee is €100 at the standard rate.

Processing time: Apply at least 9 weeks before the commencement date of course. The long-stay visa process takes ~6–8 weeks. Identità does not publish a processing time for the study residence permit itself.

Part-time work: Full-time students on courses recognised by MQRIC may work up to 20 hours a week from their first year of study, with an employment licence from Jobsplus.

After graduation: You may apply for a residence permit of a validity period of a minimum of 9 months to seek employment or set up a business.

Identità: study permits ↗

Top Universities

University of Malta
Public university
Publicly funded and open to all those with the requested qualifications
MCAST
Vocational education and training institution
Malta’s leading vocational education and training institution
Institute of Tourism Studies
Higher education institution
Tourism and hospitality

Related guides

🛂 Visa Guide
All visa types including student visas
🏠 Housing Guide
Finding accommodation as a student
💳 Banking Guide
Opening a bank account as a student
💰 Tax Guide
Tax obligations for student workers

Funds, health cover and staying after graduation

Identità asks student applicants to show funds of at least €745.68 a month of study, and a qualification recognised by MQRIC.

📋 Before you apply

  • Qualification level:The qualification must be recognised by MQRIC at MQF level 5.
  • Health cover:Minimum medical coverage of €30,000 for the visa stage.
  • After your degree:You may apply for a residence permit of a validity period of a minimum of 9 months to seek employment or set up a business.

Common mistake: Applying too late. The application must be submitted at least 9 weeks before the commencement date of course.

📊 Real Migration Numbers

Based on 7 submissions to MaltaBased on 7 submissions to Malta

Visa processing time

Under 4 weeks1
4–8 weeks2
16–24 weeks1

Based on 7 submissions to Malta

57%57%

would make the same move again

Based on 7 submissions to Malta

Community surprise

Part-time work restrictions were stricter than I thought · Post-graduation visa transition was unclearPart-time work restrictions were stricter than I thought · Post-graduation visa transition was unclear

Based on 7 submissions to Malta

Anonymised community data. Minimum 5 submissions per data point.

Add your data →

Community data — student migrants

📊 Real Migration Numbers

would make the same move again

Biggest community surprise

Anonymised community data. Minimum 5 submissions per data point.

Add your data →