International Office

Visa and e-residence permit

Visa and e-residence permit

We recommend that you familiarise yourself well with the Visa and e-Residence permit requirements and procedures that you will need to follow in order to arrive and stay in Malta.

A Visa is the official permission, which temporarily authorises individuals to travel to a foreign country so you need to check whether you are required to apply for a visa in order to travel to Malta. Further information is available below.

An e-Residence Permit on the other hand is the document that you will require to be able to remain in Malta for the duration of your studies. Following arrival and registration at the University, all international students who are planning to stay for more than 3 months (ie: 90 days) should apply for an e-Residence Permit. This permit will also be used as an ID card and will allow you to travel within the Schengen Area, together with a valid passport.

Further information is available below.

Although you might not need a visa to enter Malta most students still need to apply for a Residence permit so it is best to familiarise yourself with the information below.

If you do need to apply for a visa we strongly recommend that you do so at the earliest possible since applications during the summer months may take longer to be processed. In some cases students might also need to physically travel to another country to submit a visa application. It is also important to familiarise yourself with the residence permit requirements before your departure since you will need to prepare and bring with you certain original documents which might be difficult to obtain after your departure (eg Bank statements).

The information below applies to prospective and current students of the UM.

 

Information for non-EU/EEA students (also referred to as Third Country Nationals - TCN):

You may find out whether you need a visa to travel to Malta by visiting the website of the Central Visa Unit.

To apply for an entry visa you may contact the Maltese Embassy, High Commission, Consulate or other Representative Office in your country. A full list is available through the website of the Central Visa Unit.

In the absence of a Maltese Embassy or Representation in your country, please do get in touch with us by email so that we may contact the central immigration authorities on your behalf and provide you with the necessary information about your visa application procedure. It is very useful to include your student reference number in your correspondence.

Applicants requiring a Visa Support Letter are to complete this form.

National Visa: 

Maltese Embassies, High Commissions or other representative offices issue D-type student visas which would be valid for limited or longer duration. A D-type Visa is a National visa which is issued for a period exceeding 90 days, but no longer than 365 days, and in accordance with national rules.

Schengen Visa:

The Austrian, Italian, Spanish representatives issue short-term visas valid up to 90 days. A Schengen C-type Visa is an authorisation issued by a Schengen State with a view to:

  • transit through or an intended stay in the territory of the Schengen states of a duration of no more than 90 days in any 180 days period (“short stay visa”)
  • transit through the international transit areas of airports of the Schengen States (“airport transit visa”) 

We would like to remind you that when planning your journey to Malta, you need to plan your itinerary ahead. Since there may not be direct flights from your country of residence to Malta, you will have to stop over in another country on your way to Malta. In this case, you are advised to check, with the relevant embassy in your country of residence, whether you require an entry/transit visa. This is also advisable should you need to quarantine in a corridor country

Following your arrival in Malta you shall be guided and assisted by the International Office to apply for a residence permit (please refer to section 'e-Residence Permit for non-EU/EEA nationals') which would be valid for a period of one year of study and is renewed every year subject to your academic progression. 

You are advised to visit the section on pre-arrival information. Ensure that important documents are packed in your hand luggage. You might be requested to present these important documents before you board your flight to Malta. You may also be asked to present them to the immigration authorities in the transit country, or upon arrival in Malta. Most airlines will ask you to present a return ticket to your home country and an insurance policy of a certain duration (you should ask about these when applying for the visa and when booking the flight ticket).

For further information or assistance, please contact the International Office.

If you are an EU/EEA student who will be studying at the UM for at least two semesters we highly recommend that you apply for a residence permit within the first 3 months (90 days) of your arrival in Malta. To renew your permit you are to follow the same procedure as outlined below. All documents should be in English.

There are two steps you must follow in order to apply.

You must first submit your application (including all the documents listed below) online. Identita' will only accept submissions via email on eu.ima@gov.mt

Once Identita' has accepted your submission, you will then be asked to call in person for an appointment by the Expatriates Unit at Identita' to submit your original documents.

You need to prepare the following documents: 

  • Application Form for Residence Documentation - Form M.
  • GDPR Form
  • Original and copy of passport or Foreign ID card (Bio data page only). 
  • Proof of sufficient financial means of subsistence:
A bank statement in euro currency including monthly income or sufficient amount to sustain yourself.
 
When you apply for a permit renewal you are required to resubmit a new bank statement showing the same amount as above. 
 
Foreign and original bank statements must be signed, stamped and dated by the bank manager. 
 
When foreign bank statements are presented, the applicant must provide an ATM withdrawal / Electronic Point of Sale (EPOS) receipt to show that the bank account is accessible in Malta. 
 
Additionally, submit a photocopy of the front side of the credit/debit card with the same bank account number that corresponds to the account number on the bank statement you are presenting. 
 
In the case of local bank statements only original copies are accepted. Bank balances are only accepted in Euro. If the bank account is held in another currency, the applicant must show the equivalent amount in Euro. (An Internet currency conversion in English will do). 
       
  • Proof of Sponsorship (if applicable)
If a student is sponsored, an official sponsorship letter is required. Financial dependence may be from any of the following: a parent, next of kin, spouse, employer, or educational institution.  The sponsorship letter should include the details of the sponsor, the duration of the sponsorship and what it covers. 
 
The sponsored student is still required to fulfil the above requirement - i.e. to prove their receipt of funds either by a bank statement or by locally issued cheques (if applicable).
 
The sponsored student is required to attach copies of the sponsor’s identification (ID or Passport), together with the above-mentioned declaration letter.

  • The endorsement letter issued by the International Office
The endorsement letter is a document which confirms your UM enrolment and progression on your course. To apply for an endorsement letter please fill out one of the below forms. The International Office will send the endorsement letter to the student via email.
 
The endorsement letter will reflect your personal details inputted in your eSIMS portal.  
 
Please ensure that your personal details are updated on eSIMS and correspond with the information you provide in this form. If you are a new student, please enrol before you request the endorsement letter.

Erasmus, Exchange or Transfer visiting students
You can visit the Student section on the Identita' website.  
 
For further information, please contact the International Office.

Holders of a multi-annual Residence Permit issued by other member states:

If you are a student holding a multi-annual permit issued by a member state and intend to reside in Malta for longer than 90 days, you are required to send the below listed documents to noneu.identita@gov.mt and inform the Expatriates Unit of your intention to reside in Malta. You are also required to send a copy of your EU residence permit card.


All other non-EU/EEA students who will be studying at the UM for at least one semester are required to apply for a residence permit within the first 3 months (90 days) of their arrival in Malta. To renew their permit, students must follow the same procedure as outlined below. All documents should be in English.


There are two steps you must follow in order to apply.

Step 1

You need to prepare the following documents:

  • Original and copy of passport (All passport pages are to be photocopied).
  • Proof of date of arrival in Malta (e-ticket, in the absence of the Malta Police Immigration Stamp on the passport) 
  • A copy of your current Maltese residence permit (applicable only for returning students).
  • Proof of sufficient financial means of subsistence:

A bank statement or money transfer receipts, showing transactions of the past three months. The statement should show a balance of a minimum of 854 Euro for each month of stay in Malta, or its equivalent in foreign currency. A bank certificate showing solely your bank balance is not acceptable.

When you apply for a permit renewal you are required to resubmit a new bank statement showing the same amount as above. 

Foreign and original bank statements must be signed, stamped and dated by the bank manager. 

When foreign bank statements are presented, the applicant must provide an ATM withdrawal / Electronic Point of Sale (EPOS) receipt to show that the bank account is accessible in Malta. 

Additionally, submit a photocopy of the front side of the credit/debit card with the same bank account number that corresponds to the account number on the bank statement you are presenting. 

In the case of local bank statements only original copies are accepted. Bank balances are only accepted in Euro. If the bank account is held in another currency, the applicant must show the equivalent amount in Euro. (An Internet currency conversion in English will do).    

  • Proof of Sponsorship (if applicable)

If a student is sponsored, an official sponsorship letter is required. Financial dependence may be from any of the following: a parent, next of kin, spouse, employer, or educational institution.  The sponsorship letter should include the details of the sponsor, the duration of the sponsorship and what it covers. 

The sponsored student is still required to fulfil the above requirement - i.e. to prove their receipt of funds either by a bank statement or by locally issued cheques (if applicable).

The sponsored student is required to attach copies of the sponsor’s identification (ID or Passport), together with the above-mentioned declaration letter.

  • Original and copy of the rental agreement, showing the name of the applicant, date of expiry and a copy of the Rental Declaration Form  completed by the applicant and the owner of the property. In cases where students are renting property from non-Maltese nationals, a document proving ownership (of the leased property) is required. This document has to be provided by the tenant. 
  • A Housing Authority approval letter. The tenant must request this letter from the landlord when signing the rental agreement. If you decide to reside at any of these student Residential Complexes: Campus Hub (Msida), NSTS Campus Residence (Msida) and Sprach Residence (Pembroke), the Housing Authority approval letter is waved.  
  • Original and copy of comprehensive health insurance (the policy should cover in-patient and day care hospital expenses, and also medical evacuation and repatriation) showing name and surname of policy holder and coverage period.
  • Application Fee € 27.50 (pay online)
  • Health Screening Procedure - Chest X-Ray – Students who are nationals of the following World Health Organization (WHO) WHO list of countries  have to present a health test conducted in Malta within 15 days of their arrival. The list will be revised again by WHO in 2025. This is non-applicable to returning students. Students who are nationals of countries that are not on the WHO list are exempted from taking the Chest X-Ray. Students who are in possession of a European residence permit are also exempted from taking this test.

  • The endorsement letter issued by the International Office.

The endorsement letter is a document which confirms your UM enrolment and progression on your course. To apply for an endorsement letter please fill out one of the below forms. The International Office will send the endorsement letter to the student via email.

The endorsement letter will reflect your personal details inputted in your eSIMS portal.  

Please ensure that your personal details are updated on eSIMS and correspond with the information you provide in this form. If you are a new student, please enrol before you request the endorsement letter.

Erasmus, Exchange or Transfer visiting students
Full-time students (including Erasmus Mundus students)
Interns

Step 2 

You must then upload your documents and submit your online application through here

Under the section - Educational Establishment Details - fill in the details as shown below:

Name of Educational Establishment: University of Malta

Contact Person: International Office

Property Name / No.:  Administration Building, Room 220

Street Name: Tal Qroqq

Locality: L-Imsida

Telephone No.: 23403182

Mobile No.: 23403182

Email Address: international@um.edu.mt

Institution License Number: Not applicable

Course Title: Type course title eg. B.A in History and Geography 

MQF Level: If you are following a course of studies leading to:

Bachelor degree - MQF Level 6
Master degree - MQF Level 7
Doctorate/PhD - MQF Level 8

Certificate in Foundation Studies - MQF Level 4
Doctor of Medicine and Surgery - MQF Level 7

If you are following a course of studies that is not indicated above, you may find your course MQF Level through the course overview.

Duration From _ to _: Type start and end date of course

E-residence permit applications for part-time courses will not be considered if the tuition hours are less than 15 hours per week. 

For further information, please contact the International Office




https://www.um.edu.mt/international/students/visas/