Last Updated: 25 August 2026

Malta Visit Visa: Requirements & Application Process

Planning a holiday in Malta, visiting family or friends, or exploring the Mediterranean islands? If you are a national of a country that requires a visa for entry to the Schengen Area, you will need to apply for a Malta Schengen Visa before travelling for a short stay.

Malta is part of the Schengen Area, so a short-stay visa for Malta is generally issued as a Schengen Type C visa. It allows eligible travellers to visit Malta for tourism, family visits, business-related activities and other permitted short-term purposes, subject to the conditions of the visa. A short-stay Schengen visa allows a maximum stay of 90 days in any 180-day period. If your goal is to relocate to Malta long-term rather than just visit, see our guide to the Malta Permanent Residence Programme instead.

If you are planning a Malta holiday, understanding the visa requirements, supporting documents, application process, fees and processing time can help you prepare your application correctly.

Feature	Malta Schengen Visit Visa
Visa type	Schengen Type C visa
Main purpose	Tourism, visiting family/friends, business and other permitted short stays
Maximum stay	Up to 90 days in any 180-day period
Schengen Area	Yes
Visa requirement	Depends on nationality
Application location	Maltese Embassy/Consulate or authorised representation in your country of residence
Standard adult visa fee	€90
Children aged 6–11	€45
Normal processing time	7–15 days in most cases
Extended processing	Up to 45 calendar days in individual cases requiring further scrutiny
Travel medical insurance	Required where applicable, with minimum coverage of €30,000
Employment	Not permitted on a short-stay tourist visa
Long-term stay	A Malta National D Visa or residence permission may be required for stays exceeding 90 days

Malta's Central Visa Unit confirms that short visits of no more than 90 days fall under the Schengen Type C framework.

What is a Malta Visit Visa?

A Malta Visit Visa, commonly searched for as a Malta Tourist Visa, is a short-stay Schengen visa for eligible travellers who want to enter Malta temporarily.

The visa may be used for purposes such as:

• Tourism and holidays
• Visiting family or friends
• Certain business activities
• Attending permitted events or meetings
• Other approved short-term purposes

The exact purpose of travel must be supported by appropriate documentation.

A Schengen visa does not automatically guarantee entry. Border authorities can check whether the traveller continues to meet the applicable entry conditions when arriving in Malta or another Schengen country.

Types of Malta Visit Visa

The Malta Schengen visa can cover different travel purposes depending on the reason for the trip.

Malta Tourist Visa: A Malta Tourist Visa is suitable for travellers visiting Malta for a holiday, sightseeing or other tourism-related purposes. You should be able to demonstrate a genuine travel plan, accommodation arrangements, sufficient funds and your intention to leave the Schengen Area before your authorised stay ends.

Malta Family or Friend Visit Visa: If you are travelling to Malta to visit relatives or friends, your application should clearly explain the relationship and purpose of the visit. Depending on the circumstances, you may need an invitation or supporting documents from the person you are visiting.

Malta Business Visit Visa

A short-stay Schengen visa may also be used for certain permitted business activities. Supporting evidence may include:

• Business invitation
• Details of meetings
• Conference or event registration
• Evidence of business relationship
• Employer letter
• Travel itinerary

A short-stay visa does not authorise ordinary employment in Malta. Identità specifically states that a Schengen visa does not allow the holder to take up employment or study in Malta.

Benefits of a Malta Visit Visa

A Malta Schengen Visit Visa can allow eligible travellers to:

• Visit Malta for tourism and leisure
• Spend time with family or friends in Malta
• Attend permitted short-term business meetings and events
• Travel within the Schengen Area during the authorised validity and stay conditions of the visa
• Explore Malta and its islands, including Gozo and Comino
• Take a short European holiday that includes Malta and other Schengen destinations

The visa is intended for temporary travel. It does not provide a right to live, work or study in Malta.

Malta Visit Visa Eligibility

There is no single financial or employment threshold that guarantees a Malta tourist visa. The visa officer assesses the complete application and supporting evidence. To apply for a Malta Visit Visa, you should generally be able to demonstrate:

• A valid passport or travel document
• A genuine and clearly explained purpose of travel
• Sufficient funds for the planned trip
• Suitable accommodation
• Appropriate travel medical insurance
• A credible travel itinerary
• Evidence supporting your personal and financial circumstances
• Evidence that you intend to leave the Schengen Area before your authorised stay ends
• Any additional documents required by the Maltese Embassy, Consulate or authorised representation handling your application

Applicants should always follow the checklist provided by the specific Maltese mission or representation where the application will be lodged. Identità states that applicants should contact the relevant Maltese Mission or representation for the complete documentation requirements for a Schengen Type C application.

Malta Visit Visa Requirements

The exact document checklist can vary depending on the applicant's nationality, purpose of travel and the authority handling the application. Common supporting documents include:

1. Valid passport

Your passport should meet the applicable Schengen travel-document requirements and contain sufficient validity and blank pages.

2. Completed visa application form

Complete the appropriate Schengen visa application form accurately and provide all requested information.

3. Recent photographs

Provide photographs that meet the applicable Schengen visa photograph specifications.

4. Proof of travel purpose

Depending on your reason for visiting Malta, this may include:

• Holiday itinerary
• Tour arrangements
• Invitation letter
• Business invitation
• Conference or event documentation
• Family-visit evidence

5. Proof of accommodation

You may need evidence of where you will stay in Malta, such as:

• Hotel reservation
• Accommodation confirmation
• Invitation or sponsorship documentation where applicable

6. Travel itinerary

Provide evidence showing your planned journey, including flight or other transport arrangements where required.

7. Proof of sufficient funds

You should demonstrate that you have enough financial resources to cover your trip and return journey.

Supporting evidence can include:

• Recent bank statements
• Salary slips
• Employment documents
• Business income evidence
• Sponsorship documents where applicable

8. Proof of employment or professional activity

Depending on your circumstances, this may include:

• Employment letter
• Approved leave letter
• Salary slips
• Business registration documents
• Tax documents
• Student enrolment evidence

9. Travel medical insurance

Schengen visa applicants generally need travel medical insurance meeting the applicable Schengen requirements.

For a Schengen visa, the standard minimum medical coverage is €30,000 and the insurance must meet the required territorial and validity conditions.

10. Proof of ties and return circumstances

Where relevant, applicants should provide evidence demonstrating their personal, professional or financial circumstances and their intention to return after the visit.

This may include:

• Employment
• Business ownership
• Family responsibilities
• Property
• Residence status
• Ongoing studies
• Other commitments in the country of residence

11. Additional documents

The Embassy, Consulate or authorised representation may request additional documents depending on the applicant's circumstances.

Malta Tourist Visa Application Process

Applying for a Malta Tourist Visa involves several stages.

Step 1: Check whether you need a visa

Confirm whether your nationality requires a Schengen visa before travelling to Malta.

Identità provides official lists of visa-required and visa-exempt countries.

Step 2: Identify the correct place to apply

For a short-stay Schengen visa, applications for Malta are handled by the relevant Maltese Embassy, Consulate or foreign representation authorised to represent Malta in the applicant's country of residence.

Identità states that Schengen Type C visas are processed by Maltese Missions or foreign representations rather than by Identità itself.

Step 3: Prepare your documents

Collect your passport, application form, photographs, travel itinerary, accommodation evidence, financial documents, insurance and other documents relevant to your travel purpose.

Step 4: Complete the visa application

Complete the application accurately and ensure that the information is consistent across your application and supporting documents.

Step 5: Book and attend your appointment

Where required, book an appointment with the relevant visa application centre, Maltese Mission or authorised representation.

Step 6: Submit biometrics

Applicants may be required to provide fingerprints and a photograph as part of the Schengen visa application process, subject to the applicable rules and exemptions.

Step 7: Pay the visa fee

Pay the applicable Schengen visa fee and any separate service fee charged by an authorised external visa application centre, where applicable.

Step 8: Wait for a decision

The application is assessed by the competent authority. Identità states that applications are generally reviewed within 7 to 15 days, although individual cases requiring further scrutiny can take up to 45 calendar days after the application has been considered admissible.

Step 9: Receive your passport

If your visa is approved, check the visa sticker carefully for:

• Name
• Passport number
• Validity dates
• Number of entries
• Duration of stay

If the application is refused, the refusal notification should explain the applicable grounds and appeal information.

Malta Tourist Visa Processing Time

Processing stage	Time
Most applications	7–15 days
Cases requiring additional scrutiny	Up to 45 calendar days
Recommended minimum before travel	At least 15 days
Earliest general application window	Up to 6 months before travel

Processing time can vary depending on the application, document completeness, season, nationality and whether additional checks or documents are required.

Malta Visit Visa Fees

The standard Schengen visa fee is currently:

Applicant	Visa fee
Adults	€90
Children aged 6–11	€45
Children under 6	Generally exempt
External service centre	Additional service fee may apply

The European Commission currently lists the standard Schengen visa fee at €90 for adults and €45 for children aged 6 to under 12. Certain categories and nationalities may benefit from fee exemptions or reduced fees under applicable rules.

The visa fee is generally non-refundable if the application is refused or withdrawn.

Malta Schengen Visa Duration and Stay

A Malta Schengen Visa is a short-stay visa. The maximum authorised stay under the Schengen short-stay framework is 90 days in any 180-day period. The actual validity period, number of entries and authorised duration of stay will depend on the visa issued.

Single-entry Malta Visa

A single-entry visa generally allows one entry into the Schengen Area during the visa's validity period. Once you leave the Schengen Area, the visa cannot normally be used for another entry even if the visa's validity date has not expired.

Multiple-entry Malta Visa

A multiple-entry Schengen visa can allow repeated entries during its validity, provided the traveller continues to meet the visa conditions and the 90 days in any 180-day period limit is respected. The type and validity of visa issued are determined by the competent authorities based on the applicable rules and the applicant's circumstances.

Can I Extend a Malta Visit Visa?

A Schengen short-stay visa should not be treated as a route to a long-term stay in Malta. If you need to remain in Malta beyond the authorised period, you must have an appropriate legal basis for doing so. For stays exceeding 90 days, Malta generally requires the appropriate National D Visa and/or residence permission, depending on the purpose of the stay. Identità distinguishes the Schengen Type C visa for short visits from the National D Visa for stays exceeding 90 days. Extensions of a Schengen short-stay visa are limited and are subject to the applicable Schengen rules and exceptional circumstances.

If your goal is to live in Malta long-term rather than visit, look into the Malta Permanent Residence Programme, which is the current route to permanent residency for non-EU nationals.

What You Cannot Do With a Malta Tourist Visa

A Malta Tourist Visa is designed for short visits. You should not use it to:

• Take up employment in Malta
• Start working for a Maltese employer
• Undertake long-term study
• Establish permanent residence
• Stay beyond the authorised period
• Provide misleading information about your purpose of travel

Identità specifically states that holding a Schengen visa does not authorise employment or study in Malta.

Why Malta Tourist Visa Applications Can Be Refused

A visa application can be refused if the competent authority is not satisfied with the applicant's eligibility or supporting evidence. Potential concerns can include:

• Unclear purpose of travel
• Insufficient financial evidence
• Inconsistent information
• Inadequate supporting documentation
• Concerns about the applicant's intention to leave the Schengen Area
• Problems with the travel itinerary
• Insufficient accommodation evidence
• Inadequate travel medical insurance
• Previous immigration or visa issues
• Security or other admissibility concerns

Malta Visit Visa for UAE Residents

If you are applying for a Malta Schengen Visa while legally residing in the UAE, your application will generally need to be submitted through the relevant Maltese Mission or authorised visa representation serving applicants in the UAE.

Your UAE residence status and personal circumstances can be relevant supporting evidence. For UAE residents, it is particularly important to provide:

• Valid passport
• Valid UAE residence documentation
• Employment or business evidence
• Approved leave letter where applicable
• Recent bank statements
• Travel itinerary
• Hotel/accommodation evidence
• Travel medical insurance
• Evidence supporting your intention to return to the UAE or another country where you have lawful residence

The exact checklist should be confirmed with the relevant Maltese visa authority or authorised application centre before submission. Y-Axis Dubai can help UAE residents review their Malta Schengen visa eligibility before booking an appointment.

Why Choose Y-Axis for Malta Visit Visa Assistance?

Applying for a Malta Tourist Visa involves more than filling out a form. Your travel purpose, financial documents, itinerary and supporting evidence should present a clear and consistent picture of your proposed visit.

Y-Axis can help you understand the Malta Schengen visa process, review your supporting documents and prepare your application according to your individual circumstances. Our assistance can include:

• Malta tourist visa eligibility guidance
• Document checklist guidance
• Application form assistance
• Travel-purpose assessment
• Financial-document guidance
• Itinerary and accommodation documentation guidance
• Family visit visa assistance
• Business visit visa guidance
• Application review
• Support with the overall visa process

Planning a trip to Malta? Contact Y-Axis for professional Malta Visit Visa assistance.

Apply Now