Third-Country Student Residence Permit

Expatriates Unit Non-Employment Permits - Study, Research, Trainees, Volunteers & Interns - Identità +356 2590 4000 Identità, Triq il-Wied, L-Imsida, MSD 9020 MALTA Search Button-svg Toggle navigation Search for: Search Home About About Identità Freedom of Information Act Quality Service Units Booking Media Careers Contact Us Subscribe Search Button-svg Search for: Search Expatriates Unit Non-Employment Permits – Study, Research, Trainees, Volunteers & Interns Expatriates Unit Non-EU Nationals   /  Non-Employment Permits  /  Study, Research, Trainees, Volunteers & Interns Residence permits are issued to Third Country Nationals for the purpose of study, research, training and voluntary service (in the mobility project for young people) under the provisions of Subsidiary Legislation 217.22.   Students   Students must submit their application online, through the Expatriates Unit Portal     These regulations apply to third-country nationals accepted by an institution licensed by the National Commission for Higher Education to pursue a full-time course of study leading to a higher education qualification. The qualification must be recognised by the Malta Qualification Recognition Information Centre at MQF level 5.   Courses may also include a preparatory programme which leads to the higher-education qualification. Third

Country Nationals who are visa exempt must submit their application for a residence permit within three months from their date of entry within the European Union territory. Other non-European nationals who need a visa to travel to the Schengen Area must be in possession of a visa issued for education purposes. Applications must be submitted by the applicant in person whilst in Malta.   Residence permits are also granted for the purpose of study whenever the course level falls under the specified the levels in Subsidiary Legislation 217.22.   Applicable fees for Study, Researchers, Training Applications: €50   Volunteers are free of charge.   Travel documents submitted with the applications must have a minimum of 6 months validity at the time of submission. Non-EU Nationals Booking Press the “Book Now” button to make an appointment. more info Downloads & Resources: Expatriates Portal Form N.01 Form N.02 Form N.03 Form O Identity Cards Unit First-Time Applicant Renewal Change in Details House Bound Service Collection of E-ID Card E-ID Virtual Account Applicable Fees FAQs Useful Information Passport Office Maltese Passports Foreign Travel Documents Diplomatic Passports Applicable Fees FAQs Useful Info Public Registry Civil Status Local & Foreign Notifications Marriage Registry Forms Translators List Policy for the Recognition of Foreign Public Document

The qualification must be recognised by the Malta Qualification Recognition Information Centre at MQF level 5.

Expatriates Unit Non-Employment Permits - Study, Research, Trainees, Volunteers & Interns - Identità +356 2590 4000 Identità, Triq il-Wied, L-Imsida, MSD 9020 MALTA Search Button-svg Toggle navigation Search for: Search Home About About Identità Freedom of Information Act Quality Service Units Booking Media Careers Contact Us Subscribe Search Button-svg Search for: Search Expatriates Unit Non-Employment Permits – Study, Research, Trainees, Volunteers & Interns Expatriates Unit Non-EU Nationals   /  Non-Employment Permits  /  Study, Research, Trainees, Volunteers & Interns Residence permits are issued to Third Country Nationals for the purpose of study, research, training and voluntary service (in the mobility project for young people) under the provisions of Subsidiary Legislation 217.22.   Students   Students must submit their application online, through the Expatriates Unit Portal     These regulations apply to third-country nationals accepted by an institution licensed by the National Commission for Higher Education to pursue a full-time course of study leading to a higher education qualification. The qualification must be recognised by the Malta Qualification Recognition Information Centre at MQF level 5.   Courses may also include a preparatory programme which leads to the higher-education qualification. Third

Country Nationals who are visa exempt must submit their application for a residence permit within three months from their date of entry within the European Union territory. Other non-European nationals who need a visa to travel to the Schengen Area must be in possession of a visa issued for education purposes. Applications must be submitted by the applicant in person whilst in Malta.   Residence permits are also granted for the purpose of study whenever the course level falls under the specified the levels in Subsidiary Legislation 217.22.   Applicable fees for Study, Researchers, Training Applications: €50   Volunteers are free of charge.   Travel documents submitted with the applications must have a minimum of 6 months validity at the time of submission. Non-EU Nationals Booking Press the “Book Now” button to make an appointment. more info Downloads & Resources: Expatriates Portal Form N.01 Form N.02 Form N.03 Form O Identity Cards Unit First-Time Applicant Renewal Change in Details House Bound Service Collection of E-ID Card E-ID Virtual Account Applicable Fees FAQs Useful Information Passport Office Maltese Passports Foreign Travel Documents Diplomatic Passports Applicable Fees FAQs Useful Info Public Registry Civil Status Local & Foreign Notifications Marriage Registry Forms Translators List Policy for the Recognition of Foreign Public Document

Expatriates Unit Non-Employment Permits - Study, Research, Trainees, Volunteers & Interns - Identità +356 2590 4000 Identità, Triq il-Wied, L-Imsida, MSD 9020 MALTA Search Button-svg Toggle navigation Search for: Search Home About About Identità Freedom of Information Act Quality Service Units Booking Media Careers Contact Us Subscribe Search Button-svg Search for: Search Expatriates Unit Non-Employment Permits – Study, Research, Trainees, Volunteers & Interns Expatriates Unit Non-EU Nationals   /  Non-Employment Permits  /  Study, Research, Trainees, Volunteers & Interns Residence permits are issued to Third Country Nationals for the purpose of study, research, training and voluntary service (in the mobility project for young people) under the provisions of Subsidiary Legislation 217.22.   Students   Students must submit their application online, through the Expatriates Unit Portal     These regulations apply to third-country nationals accepted by an institution licensed by the National Commission for Higher Education to pursue a full-time course of study leading to a higher education qualification. The qualification must be recognised by the Malta Qualification Recognition Information Centre at MQF level 5.   Courses may also include a preparatory programme which leads to the higher-education qualification. Third

Country Nationals who are visa exempt must submit their application for a residence permit within three months from their date of entry within the European Union territory. Other non-European nationals who need a visa to travel to the Schengen Area must be in possession of a visa issued for education purposes. Applications must be submitted by the applicant in person whilst in Malta.   Residence permits are also granted for the purpose of study whenever the course level falls under the specified the levels in Subsidiary Legislation 217.22.   Applicable fees for Study, Researchers, Training Applications: €50   Volunteers are free of charge.   Travel documents submitted with the applications must have a minimum of 6 months validity at the time of submission. Non-EU Nationals Booking Press the “Book Now” button to make an appointment. more info Downloads & Resources: Expatriates Portal Form N.01 Form N.02 Form N.03 Form O Identity Cards Unit First-Time Applicant Renewal Change in Details House Bound Service Collection of E-ID Card E-ID Virtual Account Applicable Fees FAQs Useful Information Passport Office Maltese Passports Foreign Travel Documents Diplomatic Passports Applicable Fees FAQs Useful Info Public Registry Civil Status Local & Foreign Notifications Marriage Registry Forms Translators List Policy for the Recognition of Foreign Public Document

- **After the first 90 days of your stay, students are permitted to work up to 20 hours per week (part-time) while their study residence permit is valid.** Malta formally sets this 20-hour weekly limit for students (previously 15 hours per week, increased since 2018). Full-time employment (40 hours per week) is not permitted during term time, and the 20-hour cap applies cumulatively across all employers—meaning that if you hold more than one part-time job, the total combined hours may not exceed 20 hours per week.

- **Applicants enrolled in courses below MQF Level 5 (e.g. foundation, vocational, or other sub-degree programmes) are not eligible to work part-time under a study residence permit.** The right to engage in part-time employment applies only to students following MQF Level 5 or higher courses.

- **Maintain your study schedule:** Working is conditional on you continuing your studies diligently. You must remain a full-time student (minimum 15 hours of lectures per week) and attend classes regularly even if you have a job [\[66\]](https://identita.gov.mt/frequently-asked-questions/expatriates/non-eu-non-employment/study/#:~:text=You%20cannot%20work%20during%20the,up%20to%2020%20hours%20weekly). You cannot skip lectures for work or reduce your course load because of a job. If your academic performance or attendance suffers due to work, you risk losing your permit. The primary purpose of your stay is study, so work should be secondary. - **A work permit (employment license) is required:** You cannot just take up a job freely; your employer must apply for authorization for you to work. In Malta, this is called an Employment License (or work permit) for students, obtained through Jobsplus (the national employment agency). Essentially, once you have your residence permit card, an employer who wants to hire you part-time must submit an application to Jobsplus for a student work permit on your behalf. This license will tie you to that specific employer and job. You must wait for the license to be issued before you start working. Working without this license is illegal and can lead to serious consequences, including having your student permit revoked and potential removal from the country. So ensure any job you take follows the official process.

A first-time study residence permit in Malta is typically valid for one year or for the duration of the academic year/program (whichever is shorter, especially if your course is less than a year). If your course is multi-year, the permit is usually issued for one year at a time and then you renew it annually. Some shorter courses might get a permit only for the course length (e.g. a 6-month course would get a 6-month permit). Always check the expiry date on your eResidence card and apply for renewal in time if your studies continue (see Renewals below).

- **Submit your renewal online in the same portal**(choose Study – Renewal/Extension (CEA N.02)). Upload updated documents (enrolment/attendance & results, tuition receipt, funds, insurance, accommodation). Apply before your card expires; if you file on time, you can remain in Malta while it’s processed. You’ll be called in person only for biometrics (if required) and to collect the new card (hand in the old one on collection). - **Continue to meet the requirements:** A renewal isn’t automatic; you must still fulfil all the original conditions of your student status. This means you should be making academic progress, have not dropped out, maintain sufficient funds, health insurance, and have respected the laws during your stay. Identità will check that you are still a bona fide student – for instance, they will expect proof that you passed your exams or advanced to the next year (see documents below). If you failed the course or have very poor attendance, the renewal could be in jeopardy. Similarly, if your financial situation changed (and you can’t meet the threshold) or you violated any rules (like working more hours than allowed), your renewal can be refused. So make sure you stay in good standing academically and legally.

Malta offers a special post-study residence permit for non-EU students who finish their studies in Malta. This permit allows you to stay in Malta for up to 9 months after graduation to look for a job or start a business related to your field of study. It’s often informally called the “job-search permit” or “temporary residence for employment/research opportunities.” To be eligible, you must have successfully completed a course of study in Malta **MQF Level 5 or higher** (for example, obtained your degree or diploma, or met all the requirements for it) and held a student residence permit at the time of completion. You also need to be still in Malta legally when applying – so you apply for this before your student permit expires, ideally as soon as you finish your studies. This is a one-time opportunity: the post-study permit can only be granted once (after your first completion in Malta) and cannot be renewed or extended beyond the 9-month period. Its purpose is to give you a chance to transition to a work permit or other status if you find suitable employment or set up a qualifying business. If you leave Malta or your 9 months lapse, you won’t get a second chance at this permit for the same or another course. Essentially, it’s a bridge from student life to working life in Malta for recent graduates.