Last updated 3rd April 2020
In light of Covid-19, Identity Malta has released a number of measures which seek to assist both third country nationals and EU/EEA/Swiss nationals, currently residing in Malta, with their respective obligations in terms of the Immigration Act and its subsidiary legislation. Hereunder please find a brief overview of the salient changes implemented by the Department of Citizenship and Expatriates.
Furthermore, in addition to the changes at the level of the Department of Citizenship and Expatriates, the Central Visa Unit has also implemented more rigid measures in light of the travel restrictions imposed, as touched upon hereunder.
- Third Country Nationals - Single Permit Applications
(i) Renewals of Single Permit Applications expiring between 13th March 2020 and 31st March 2020 are to be submitted by the employer through Identity Malta's online platform, subject to certain exceptions.
(ii) Identity Malta is currently not accepting any new 'still abroad' Single Permit Applications, except for medical professionals (which includes personal home-based carers) and highly skilled individuals (i.e Key Employee Initiative Applications). However, third country nationals already legally residing in Malta and applying for a 'change in job/change in employer' application may still proceed to do so, even if not a medical professional or Key Employee Initiative applicant (subject to submitting the application within the required timeframes from termination, if applicable).
(iii) Until further notice, Identity Malta will not be issuing any decisions on Single Permit Applications where the applicant is still overseas. Accordingly, if you are waiting for a decision on a 'Still Abroad - Single Permit Application' no formal communication will be received from Identity Malta for the foreseeable future and accordingly the employment process cannot be finalised.
(iv) Third-country nationals employed as live-in carers and health care professionals, whose single permits are set to expire, may temporarily extend their single permit for a period of 3 months by sending an email to (medical.ima@gov.mt). An email confirming the extension of the single permit should be received by the applicant from Identity Malta.
(v) Third country nationals who are currently residing in Malta on the basis of an interim permit (more commonly referred to as the 'Blue Paper') may extend their interim permit by sending an email to (eresidence.ima@gov.mt). A confirmation of the extension must be received by the applicant. Applicants who visit the Department of Citizenship and Expatriates to extend their interim permit will not be served.
(v) Third country nationals who received an approval in principle letter and entered Malta must abide by the mandatory quarantine rules and cannot attend the Department of Citizenship and Expatriates before 14 days from the date of entry into the country have elapsed.
- Third Country Nationals - Non-Work related Applications
Third-country nationals who shall apply for a visa or residence permit (for reasons other than employment - such as family member applications, study applications, temporary residence permits, amongst others) may submit a new or renewal residence permit application online by sending a request to (noneu.ima@gov.mt).
- UK Nationals & Brexit
In light of Brexit, the Department of Citizenship and Expatriates were currently in the process of issuing new residence cards to UK nationals already residing in Malta, this process is being put on hold until further notice. Having said that, UK nationals who have already received notification of their appointment are still required to attend the appointment on the date stipulated therein. EU residence cards shall remain valid in the hands of UK nationals until such time that a new residence card is issued.
- EU/EEA/Swiss Nationals & their Family Members
(i) EU/EEA/Swiss nationals and their family members who are required to visit Identity Malta in order to apply for residence or renew their current residence card are requested to abide by the mandatory quarantine rules, if applicable;
(ii) EU/EEA/Swiss nationals and their family members may submit a residence card renewal application even after expiration of the residence card. Having said that, renewal applications may now be temporarily renewed online and by sending an email to the EU Section at the DCEA.
(iii) EU/EEA/Swiss nationals, as well as their family members, who have been residing in Malta for a period of 3 months may submit a temporary residence permit application online by sending an email to the EU Section at the DCEA.
- Customer Care
The Customer Care Team at Identity Malta is no longer accepting applicants in person and all queries should be made via telephone or email.
- Visa Applications
The Central Visa Unit is currently only considering visa applications in exceptional circumstances and these include visa applications for EU family members and medical professionals.
Effective 6th April 2020, the Central Visa Unit will only see customers who have an appointment. To book an appointment an email must be sent to (visa.ima@gov.mt)
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.
