An employer-led or qualification-based work route.
Route overview
Single Permit for third-country nationals
Typical timeline / duration: Temporary permit for defined employment over 6 months; renewable, generally annually.
Important notes
Non-EU nationals require a residence permit to be employed in Malta; first step is an employment offer from a Maltese employer.
The Single Permit combines employment licence and residence permit and is for employment over 6 months; employer applies via the Single Permit portal.
Required evidence includes signed employment contract and Jobsplus/role-related documents.
Employer-led; subject to labour market/security checks. Since 1 August 2025 employers also face caps on how far they can grow their third-country workforce over 12 months, scaled by company size (about 200% for micro employers, 100% small, 50% medium, 25% large) from their third year of operation, with exemptions for healthcare, disability care, critical infrastructure and sport. First-time application fees are EUR 600, or EUR 150 for those exempt care sectors, and from 1 October 2025 wages must be paid electronically through a licensed financial institution rather than in cash.
Salary threshold varies by role/category rather than one generic threshold: under the Malta Labour Migration Policy in force since 1 August 2025, the Key Employment Initiative requires at least EUR 45,000 a year and the Specialist Employment Initiative at least EUR 30,000 a year.
Preparation checklist
Save your submitted files and track the next application or renewal date.