Amidst the travel restrictions in place due to the global pandemic and in view of the fact that the extension given in August for successful single permit applicants (who applied prior 31st March 2020) to proceed to Malta have lapsed, Identity Malta Agency will be giving the option of either:

  1. applying for a final six months’ extension in order for the applicant to make way to Malta; or
  2. the issue of a credit note in favour of the employer applying which has to be redeemed within six (6) months.

Employers will be notified by mail and the decision must be communicated within 15 working days of receipt of the said letter. Failure to do so will result in the withdrawal of the approval in principle which was originally issued to the concerned applicant.

The temporary external border restrictions in place on non-essential travel into the EU, as well as both local and foreign travel bans, have had an adverse effect on travel and the facilitation of visa.

In view that the stipulated timelines have lapsed, Identity Malta will give the option of a final six months’ extension to those successful applicants who were issued with an approval in principle and whose application was received prior to 31st March 2020.

This final extension of the approval in principle letter is without prejudice to:

  • any further approval that may be required by the Maltese Health Authorities to proceed to Malta (as per Legal Notices 244, 255, 280 and 290 of 2020, and any subsequent related LN which maybe issued by the Health Authorities).
  • any visa requirements especially if the applicant resides in a third country where there is yet no facilitation for the issue of visa.
  • any restrictions regarding travelling to Malta imposed by states through which the applicant would need to transit in order to reach Malta.

Should the applicant fail to proceed to Malta in the stipulated time window, then the approval in principle will be automatically withdrawn and s/he will not be allowed to make way to Malta and take up the designated employment.

Alternatively, if the concerned applicant will not be travelling to Malta to take up his/her prospective employment, the employer applying on his/her behalf may apply for a refund in the form of a credit note for the full amount paid with respect to that application. This also applies to successful applicants who were issued with an approval in principle and whose application was received prior to 31st March 2020.

Should the employer opt for a credit note, then the approval in principle related to the application will be withdrawn and the applicant cannot proceed to Malta on the original grounds.

The credit note will be valid for six (6) months and may be redeemed by the employer when submitting a:

  1. New single permit application on behalf of another third country national to be employed with his/her entity.
  2. Request for renewal of an existing third country national employed with his/her entity.
  3. Change in employment application to engage a third country national with his/her entity.

It is imperative to point out that the necessary security checks and verifications of the applicant’s suitability will still be carried out.