A. INTRODUCTION

The whole process to obtain a Malta passport via the Malta Individual Investor Program (MIIP) is divided into a number of stages.

With each stage, different documentation, forms and fees need to be submitted and paid accordingly.

The following are the main stages and key milestones of the whole process:

  1. Residency Stage
  2. MIIP Application Stage
  3. Oath of Allegiance and Naturalization

This publication aims at providing guidelines and an overview of the process, including the documentation and payments that need to be submitted to the authorities.

All applications are to be handled exclusively by agents to Identity Malta (the authority appointed by the Maltese government to process the applications). We are agents to Identity Malta and hence can process the applications accordingly and act as a single point of liaison with the authorities.

B. RESIDENCE STAGE

Stage A: Preliminary Information: The requirement of the Genuine Link

By law, no passport will be issued to an applicant unless he proves that he is resident in Malta for a minimum period of 12 months. In order to prove such residence, the candidate must apply for an e-Residence Card.

The "residence requirement" requires evidence of a genuine link with Malta.

Candidates must commit to some presence (but not 365 days) in Malta before citizenship is granted. Persons already resident one year prior to MIIP approval already satisfy this requirement and need not apply for e-Residence Card again.

As agents, we can obtain advance written approval from Identity Malta of their clients' proposed genuine links. Till now, the authorities have accepted the following as genuine links:

  • Memberships with Maltese clubs (e.g. sports clubs etc.)
  • Donations to local charities, institutions etc.
  • Enrolling to English schools established in Malta
  • Conducting business in Malta

Stage B: Obtain Clearance from the Police of Malta

The applicant must provide us with passport copies of all applicants in order for us to obtain clearance from the Police. The e-Residence Card Application form must be submitted within 6 months of such clearance.

Stage C: Obtaining Residential Property

The applicant needs to find residential property for the 12 months period in which he will be considered resident in Malta. There is no minimum value of the property.

In such case, the applicant typically leases property for a period of 12 months at a minimal value, for instance of around €500 per month.

We can assist the client to search for property. If the client so requires, we can provide a selection of selected property for him to choose, subject to availability.

Stage D: Preparing the Application for e-Residence Card

The following is a list of the main steps involved and documentation required to obtain an e-Residence Card:

  • Signing of an agreement with our firm allowing us to represent the client with the authorities.
  • Preliminary Due Diligence Checks by our firm.
  • Once the client passes the preliminary Due Diligence, we will provide the client the prescribed forms to be completed. We will offer assistance with the compilation of such forms if the client requires.
  • Client must possess a Comprehensive Health Insurance Cover to be retained indefinitely, with minimum medical coverage of €50,000 per person.
  • The following is a list of all the documentation that needs to be submitted to the authorities for the e-Residence Card –

    • Forms – all persons to complete:

      • Economic Self-Sufficiency – Form J
      • Electronic Identity Registration – Form ID1A
      • Image Capture Application Form – Form ID2
      • EU Electoral Register Form
    • Certified True Copies of Passports for each e-Residence applicant and dependents
    • Certified True Copy of Global Health Insurance
    • Certified True Copy of Bank Statements from Main Applicant – not older than 3 months from date of submission
    • Certified True Copy of lease / purchase agreement proving that person has residence in Malta (see above).
    • Introduction Letter by Main Applicant giving reasons why e-Residency is being applied, showing details of individual's plans/ reasons for application. The 'Genuine Link' ties with Malta must be detailed in this letter.
    • Evidence of Due Diligence Checks (by our firm)

Stage E: Submission of the Application Form for e-Residence Card

In order to be able to submit the documentation, the applicants (main and dependents) must be physically present at the authorities' offices in Malta.

Prior to submission of the application form, as agents, we will send all documents the authorities in scanned form a minimum 10 days before meeting.

The officials of Identity Malta will conduct a personal meeting with the applicants (main and dependents) at their offices in Malta in order for them to:

  • Take the biometric data of the applicants
  • Issue the e-Residency card

Upon submission of the documentation to the authorities, the applicant must also proceed with the payment of the following fees to authorities:

  • Main Applicant (Part-contribution of non-refundable deposit) – €5,000
  • Spouse – €1,000
  • Dependents – €1,000
  • Renewal of e-Residence Card – €200

The e-Residence Card is typically issued within 5 working days, provided everything is in order. The validity of e-Residence Card for the purpose of the MIIP is of 18 months. Upon expiry, applicants must repeat this process and the fee is of €200.

Stage F: Collection of the e-Residence Card

Till now, the authorities have allowed the authorized agents (our firm) to collect the e-Residence Cards on behalf of the applicants. Hence, there should be no need for the applicants to return to Malta to collect the e-Residence Cards.

Stage G: Ensuring Compliance with the Genuine Link Criteria

It is of utmost importance that the applicants abide to the Genuine Links indicated in the Introduction Letter throughout the 12 months residence in Malta. Non-compliance with this requirement may seriously prejudice his passport application form at a later stage.

To read this article in full, please click here.

The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.