The Republic of Malta is an island country in the Mediterranean Sea. This popular tourist destination is full of ancient historic sites, including some of the oldest standing architecture in the world. It also enjoys a warm climate, making it perfect for beach visits and outdoor experiences. But before you go, make sure to check if you need to apply for a Malta visa.
Malta is one of 26 countries in the Schengen zone, the region of European states that allow open travel between their borders. If you are thinking of visiting Malta, you may need to apply for a Malta Schengen visa. This visa will be soon available on iVisa for online application, making it easier to plan your trip, without any hassle.
What is the Malta Schengen visa?
Malta has been a part of the European Union since 2004, and became a Schengen country in 2007. As a member of the Schengen zone, Malta and the Schengen area offers travelers the chance to explore the whole region with a single visa. Most of the Schengen countries are in the European Union, but not all. Croatia, Romania, and Bulgaria, all EU members, are not Schengen zone members, for example.
The Schengen countries operate without dedicated border patrols and are, for the purposes of travel documentation, a single region.
Who needs to apply for a visa to enter Malta?
Citizens from other countries in the Schengen zone do not need to apply for a Malta Schengen visa. Similarly, some countries have agreements with the Schengen area, making them visa exempt. Citizens from these countries, which include the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and many others, don’t need a visitors’ visa to enter Malta.
Other countries will still need to apply for a Schengen visa to visit Malta, which can be soon done via iVisa.
If you're from a non-Schengen state, but do currently have visa-free access to the Schengen zone, you may soon have to apply for a visa waiver under the Malta ETIAS authorization system before arrival. This is a new system that will be implemented soon in the European Union.
How long can I stay in Malta with a Schengen visa?
Most people will need a Category C single-entry visa. This basic visa is valid for 90 days within a 180-day period, after which visitors need to leave the Schengen area. Category C visas are used for tourist or business purposes, visiting family, or short-term work or study.
What are the Malta visa requirements?
Before you are granted your Schengen visa, you will need to fill out the initial Malta visa application form. You will also need to provide a number of documents. These serve to verify your identity and share details about your purpose in Malta.
To start your Malta visa application, you will need:
- Visa application form: The first step of the visa process is to fill out your Malta visa application form. You are soon able to fill out your Malta visa application online via iVisa. Fill this out fully with your personal information.
- Two photographs: You must submit two photos of yourself, taken within the last three months. If you don’t have one, check out the convenient iVisa digital photo service.
- Valid passport: You will need to present a copy of your valid passport. To be valid, your passport needs to have been issued in the last 10 years and remain valid for at least three months after the end of your stay in Malta. Your passport should have at least two blank pages left for your new Schengen visa sticker.
- Trip itinerary: Because this visa only applies to visits that are shorter than 90 days, you will need to provide proof of your intended travel dates. To do this, you can present documents such as flight bookings and hotel reservations.
- Financial statements: You will also need to show that you have enough travel funds to support yourself during your visit in Malta. You can do this by providing bank statements demonstrating your monthly income or salary slips. If you want to enter Malta for a study program, provide a letter from the educational institute showing that your tuition and board are paid.
- Travel medical insurance: You must have medical insurance with coverage of at least €30,000. This will ensure that you are covered if you need emergency medical care.
- Birth certificate: Minors applying for a visa need a written letter of consent from their parents as well as a copy of their birth certificate.
Please make sure to check all information carefully before submitting, such as your email address. The confirmation of your visa will be sent by email and the visa experts will contact you on this address in case you need to provide extra information.
Do I need a visa if I am transiting through Malta?
For the vast majority of tourists, it isn’t necessary to get a visa if you want to transit through, rather than enter, Malta. If you are a national from one of the countries below, you will need to apply for a Category A visa just to pass through an airport in Malta.
Travelers from the following countries need a visa to transit through Malta:
- Afghanistan
- Bangladesh
- Democratic Republic of the Congo
- Eritrea
- Ethiopia
- Ghana
- Iran
- Iraq
- Nigeria
- Pakistan
- Somalia
- Sri Lanka
How do I apply for a visa to Malta?
Our services make it simple to apply online, as soon as the Malta visa becomes available. Once you’ve uploaded all your information, we will send it to the embassy of Malta, making your Malta visa application process quick and easy.
These are the steps for applying for a Malta Schengen visa:
- Step 1: Complete the application form and select your preferred processing time.
- Step 2: Check the details and pay the application fee online.
- Step 3: Upload the necessary documents and submit your Malta visa application.
Our visa experts will then process your Malta visa application. You may still need to go to the embassy for an interview and to provide your biometrics.
Costs and processing times for a Malta visa
When you start the Malta visa application process through iVisa.com, you have the following options:
- Standard Processing: If you have some spare time before your trip, this is the most affordable option.
- Rush Processing: If you want to get your visa a little sooner than the standard option, this rush option is available for an additional fee.
- Super Rush Processing: This option offers the fastest turnaround time, for an express fee.
Traveling to Malta with children or minors
Any adult traveling with a minor through the Schengen zone will need to present a separate visa for them. This applies to all travelers from countries with visa requirements. If the minor is from a country that is visa exempt, they do not need to present a visa. The parent or legal guardian is responsible for the visa application process for their children.
COVID-19 regulations in Malta
As of March 2022, the Schengen countries have lifted official COVID-19 travel restrictions for tourists. However, the country of Malta still requires incoming tourists to present proof of vaccination with a vaccine card recognized by the minister of health. Tourists are no longer required to quarantine at the border if they provide this proof.
Other visas available for Malta
There are several categories for Schengen visas. The kind you will need will depend on your country of origin as well as your intended purpose in Malta. These categories include:
- Type A (Airport Transit Visa): The Type A visa allows people from select countries to transit through a Malta airport. This is not necessary for most travelers. Please check with your nearest Malta embassy or consulate.
- Type C (Single Entry): Most people applying to travel in Malta will need this type of visa, which allows them to enter the Schengen zone once for a period of up to 90 days. After leaving the area, reentry is not permitted.
- Type C (Double Entry): A Type C Double Entry visa lets tourists enter the region twice for a total of two visits. The visits must be no more than 90 days in length together over a 180-day period of time.
- Type C (Multiple Entry): A Type C Multiple Entry visa lets tourists enter and exit the region as many times as they like as long as all visits adhere to the 90/180 rule. These visas may be valid for as long as five years.
- Type D (National Visa): In unusual circumstances, a Type D visa may be issued. This allows a tourist to have a temporary resident status in Malta, usually for the purpose of short-term work.
Soon, the European Union will implement the ETIAS visa waiver for visa-exempt countries, similar to the ESTA for the United States. Keep an eye out for updates on iVisa.
Where can I learn more?
If you have more questions that haven’t been answered here, our customer support team is available 24/7. Our representatives are happy to help with your Malta visa application via chat or email at [email protected].
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