Specialist Employee Initiative

Third-country nationals who have secured an employment offer in Malta, and who meet all the criteria of the Single Permit Regulations as delineated in Subsidiary Legislation 217.17, but do not meet the criteria of the Key Employee Initiative, may be eligible for this fast-track route to obtain their Single Permit.

The SEI is tailored for professional or technical roles that may not meet the higher salary or managerial criteria of the KEI or Blue Card.

either an MQF Level 6 or higher in an area directly related to the employment position being offered in Malta; or,

other academic, vocational or other certified qualified skill qualifications, which equate to an MQF level lower than MQF Level 6, but which are directly related to the position being offered by the Maltese employer, together with, a minimum of three (3) years’ experience in a position directly related to the one being offered in Malta.

Proof of experience must be presented in the form of either or a combination of the below: previous employment contracts (signed by both employer and employee); employment history issued and officially certified (stamped or legalised) by the official employment authority in the country where employment was held; or reference letters by former employer/s.

Only third-country nationals who have a signed contract with a Maltese-registered company are eligible to apply.

Applicants eligible under the Specialist Employee Initiative must submit proof of one job advert for a minimum of two weeks within the two months prior to application on an appropriate local media platform.

If the SEI holder has resided and worked in Malta for less than 2 years, a Change of Employer permit may be issued for up to 1 year, with an additional year where the applicable integration course is presented. If the SEI holder has resided and worked in Malta for 2 years or more, the Change of Employer permit may be issued for up to 3 years, with an additional year where the applicable integration course is presented.

KEI/SEI holders do not have this EU mobility advantage.

A New or Still Abroad SEI permit may be issued for up to 1 year. Where the applicable integration course is presented, the applicant may benefit from an additional year, up to 2 years. The travel document and employment contract must cover the relevant period, and no renewal health screening may be required during that period.

An SEI renewal may be issued for up to 3 years, or up to 4 years where the applicant successfully completes the applicable integration course. Validity remains subject to the applicable supporting documentation.

KEI and SEI validity remains subject to the applicable passport, employment-contract, health, stakeholder, payment and statutory requirements. Where a supporting document has a shorter validity, the permit may be limited accordingly.