Malta requires first-time applicants for work permits to complete a pre-departure course.
Beginning in March 2026, all applicants for a first-time Single Permit in Malta will need to finish a €250 pre-departure course. Online courses, an English interview, and sector-specific regulations for certain positions are all part of the new system.
A first-time Single Permit application will not be processed by Malta as of March 1, 2026, unless the applicant has finished a new required pre-departure course.
This is now a requirement for non-EU nationals who intend to work in Malta for the first time. No application without a certificate.
Although the system went online in January 2026, officials will start closely examining the course certificate during the work permit approval process in March.
The Single Permit: What Is It?
With a single combined residence and employment permit, non-EU nationals can live and work in Malta thanks to the Single Permit.
It is extensively employed in industries including tourism, hospitality, construction, and care services that are experiencing a staffing crisis.
First-time applicants now have to go through additional procedures before they can submit their permit request.
What is the New Course for Pre-Departure?
The goal of the course is to ensure that new hires:
able to converse in simple English
Recognize your rights and responsibilities at work.
Understand the responsibilities of living and working in Malta.
The concept is straightforward. Malta wants employees to show up ready, not bewildered.
Section 1: Integration Course (Required for All New Candidates)
All new applicants need to finish Part 1. Two online modules are included in it:
Living and Working in Malta
Rights and Responsibilities at Work
About 10 to 12 hours are needed for each module. Videos, readings, and brief tests are included at the conclusion.
Candidates are required to attend a 20-minute interview after completing the modules. This interview verifies:
Basic knowledge of English
Knowledge of the course material
Interviews take place at authorized assessment centers across the globe or at ITS
Malta.
Candidates have forty-two days to finish this section.
Part 2: Only Necessary for Specific Jobs
Not everyone can relate to Part 2. It is necessary for those employed in regulated industries such
Travel and Hospitality
Under Maltese legislation, some positions could call for more education or qualification.
If your work is in this category, you have to finish both:
The Course Before Departure
The prerequisites for the Skills Pass
How the Procedure Operate
The order is as follows:
Create an account on the Skills Pass Portal.
Finish Part 1 online.
Attend the interview for verification.
Obtain the Certificate of Pre-Departure Course.
Send in your application for a single permit.
The interview is required, although the majority of the process is done online.
The certificate will be required for permit reviews starting on March 1, 2026.
What Is the Price?
The cost of the course is €250. Prior to beginning the course, this must be paid.
Who Is Not Included?
You are exempt from taking the course if you currently possess a valid Single Permit. Only new candidates are affected by this.
The Reasons Behind Malta's Action
Malta's population is aging, unemployment is low, and the country's economy is expanding. The nation is largely dependent on foreign labor.
Concerns have also been raised regarding significant employee turnover, misaligned expectations, and worker exploitation.
The new system's objectives are:
Increased stability in the workplace
Safeguard migrant laborers
Assure improved integration
Align migration with the demands of the labor market.
To put it briefly, Malta wants companies and employees to be less surprised.
Implications for Upcoming Candidates
The practical reality is as follows.
The new regulation will probably:
Give the application process more time.
Raise the initial expenses
Make proficiency in English a priority.
The interview may prove to be a challenge for certain candidates, particularly those with poor English proficiency.
When offering jobs to non-EU workers, employers should account for the additional time and expense.
Include this in your schedule if you intend to work in Malta in 2026. Make sure your English is fluent enough for fundamental workplace conversation, start early, and prepare for the interview.
Because this will no longer be an option as of March 2026.
