Application process

What is the duration of a Nomad Residence Permit?

A Nomad Residence Permit is valid for one (1) year from the issuance of the residency card.


Can an approved application be revoked?

Yes, Residency Malta reserves the right to revoke an application after approval, should it become aware of:

- any adverse information on the MA or any of his/her dependants;

- a breach of one or more of the Programme’s eligibility criteria


Will one be notified of the reason for a refusal?

Residency Malta will conduct a background verification check on each application to ensure that the MA and any of his dependants are not, or may not be, a potential threat to national security, public policy or public health.

Due to the sensitive nature of the process of decision making the reason for refusal cannot be shared with the applicant. However, the reasons for rejection may include but are not limited to criminal records, eligibility criteria, adverse media and refusals of previous applications for a Schengen Visa.

If your application has been rejected, you can submit a fresh application 12 months from the date of the Rejection Letter issued by Residency Malta Agency.

The grant of a permit is always discretionary and nothing in the Nomad Residence Permit programme creates any obligation on the part of Residency Malta to grant a permit. The Agency’s decision is final, and an applicant cannot appeal this decision.


Will one be notified if the application is successful?

Applicants will be notified of the application outcome, whether it is approved or rejected by email, via the same email address used by the applicant in the submission of his/her application. Should one change the email address, even after the approval of an application, they are required to notify Residency Malta Agency immediately by sending an email to nomad.residencymalta@gov.mt.


What fees are applicable?

The following fees apply:

  • a non-refundable application fee of €300 per person, to be paid to Residency Malta Agency via bank transfer from MA’s bank account;
  • a fee of €27.50 for the issuance of a residency card per person, to be paid in person at Residency Malta’s offices. Payments can only be made by card. Cash payments are not accepted; and
  • Any other visa related fees (if applicable).

Can I engage a representative to assist with the application process?

In cases where an applicant wishes to engage a representative to assist with the application process, a declaration is to be submitted signed by both parties and a witness. This declaration may be downloaded and submitted via the online application system, and by doing so, the applicant gives his/her consent to the Agency to share application details with the representative and allowing the representative to be included in all correspondence. The Agency will only accept instructions coming from the MA.


How do I apply and what is the application process?

The application must be made through our online application system. The following application guidelines will guide you through the whole process. We recommend that this guide is read before one starts the online application process. A checklist of documentation required may be accessed here.

The application will then be checked to ensure that requested documents have been submitted by one of our Nomad Client Relations and Compliance officers and a receipt of application will be issued with instructions for payment of a €300 non-refundable administrative fee for each applicant, via bank transfer. Payments should be made directly from the MA’s bank account.

Once the payment is received, the processing of the application will start. Application processing is expected to take 60 working days starting from the issuance of the receipt of funds issued from our Finance Department, during which Residency Malta will conduct background checks. This does not include any processing time required for visa issuance purposes. Should the Agency have any queries, we will revert in the form of a report.

Should the application be successful a Letter of Approval in Principle is issued, and one is required to submit proof of accommodation and a health insurance policy within 30 days from the date of issuance of the Letter of Approval in Principle. Once the above is finalised, a Letter of Final Approval is issued. If an applicant requires an entry visa, they will be contacted by the Central Visa Unit at Identità (formerly known as Identity Malta Agency) to guide him/her on the process. Kindly refer to the FAQs’ section ‘Visas And Residence Permits’

Once in Malta, the applicant is required to notify us via email to set up an appointment for the capture of biometrics.

The residence card takes between three (3) to four (4) weeks to be issued. Once issued, the applicant will be notified via email and requested to pick up the card in person from Residency Malta’s offices, bringing with them their passport.

In the case of a renewal application, following the Letter of Approval in Principle, all required documents are to be submitted prior to the expiry of the current Nomad Residence Permit.