Malta tourist visa application, requirements, price, and processing time
- nTourist visanot required
- nAirport Transit visanot required
- nBusiness visanot required
Unless you are from the UK, US, or one of the Schengen countries, you must obtain a valid visa prior to entering Malta. The Maltese government offers different types of visas to foreign nationals including tourist visa, business visa, and transit visas.
In this article, we have discussed in detail about Maltese tourist visa, visa requirements, and how to apply for this travel document online. So, without further ado, let's get into it!
Malta Tourist Visa - An Overview
The Maltese tourist visa or Schengen visa is a travel document that permits holders to visit a beautiful country located in Southern Europe. Malta is known for a lot of things, including its beaches, bays, unexplored lands, and much more. Therefore, each year, millions of tourists visit Malta to explore the natural beauty of this nation.
Before you travel to Malta, the most important thing you need is a valid visa. For business purposes, you can apply for a Malta business visa. If you are transiting through the country, you can get a Malta transit visa. However, if you want to explore the natural beauty of this southern European country, you must get a valid Maltese tourist visa.
A Malta tourist visa permits you to stay in the country for 90 consecutive days. It's a residence visa that allows you to visit relatives, spend holidays, or explore the country.
Although travelers were required to apply for a Malta tourist visa by visiting the Maltese embassy in the past, you can now get this travel document online at VisaHQ: the method discussed below!
Malta Tourist Visa Requirements
To get a Maltese visa, applicants must provide some essential documents, also known as the Malta visa requirements. These documents vary from applicant to applicant, depending on your nationality.
Some of the most basic documents required to apply for a Schengen visa include the following:
Valid Passport - An original passport issued by your country. Your passport must have 2 blank pages and 6 months of remaining validity
E-mail Address - Your email address will be linked to your passport, and you'll get your approved visa via email. So, make sure to use a valid and active email address to apply for a Malta Schengen visa
COVID-19 Vaccination Certificate - it's advised to get a COVID-19 vaccination certificate prior to visiting Malta to avoid self-isolation
Proof of Sufficient Funds - A bank statement or any other document as proof that you can pay for your own experience
Health Insurance - An international travel health insurance with a coverage of at least 30,000 hours.
Invitation Letter - An invitation letter from the host living in Malta
Proof of Accommodation - A copy of the hotel reservation or any other lodging
Besides these, you also need an online payment method to pay the embassy fee as well as the visa service fee. To do so, you can use a debit card, credit card, or PayPal account. Visit VisaHQ and select your citizenship to find out all of the Malta tourist visa requirements for your country!
How To Apply For A Malta Tourist Visa Online?
Instead of visiting the embassy and wasting an entire day filling out different forms, the fastest and most convenient option to get a Malta tourist visa is through VisaHQ. Through VisaHQ, all you need is a stable internet connection and a laptop or mobile device.
To get your Malta visa online, you can follow the following step-by-step guide:
Visit VisaHQ.
Select your travel destination and citizenship.
Fill out the visa application form.
Pay the Malta Schengen visa fee.
Submit your online form and required documents.
That's it! This entire process can be completed within 10-15 minutes. Afterward, the embassy will process your online application, and you'll get your travel document via email.
Keep in mind that a visa does not guarantee your entry; the final decision will be made by the immigration officer. So, make sure to fulfill all of the Maltese entry requirements while traveling to the country.
Visa Application Form
The applicant's application form is the most important thing to get a Maltese visa. If there are mistakes in your application, your visa will most likely be delayed or denied by the embassy. So make sure to double-check your online form prior to submitting it. And remember not to put any incorrect information.
To fill out the Malta visa application form, you need to provide personal, travel, passport, and contact information, such as:
Name and surname
Date of birth
Nationality
Passport number
Passport issue and expiry date
Email address
Home address
Phone number
Travel dates
Processing Time
The average processing time for a Malta Schengen tourist visa is 20 business days. However, if the embassy needs to perform some secondary checks, you may have to wait a little longer, so plan accordingly!
Malta Visa Policy
Malta is one of the territories to make up the Schengen Area after becoming a signatory to the Schengen Agreement. This is why it maintains the same policy as 26 other Schengen countries and territories in Europe. Anyone looking to visit Malta must complete the policy and hold a visa unless they are from non-visa-exempt countries or territories. Such visitors qualify for the universal Schengen visa waiver program so they can visit Malta for a short time without the need to hold valid visas.
Eligibility of visa entry or nonvisa entry is based on the visitor's nationality, duration of stay, and the purpose of the trip. This is the policy that guides the overall immigration regulation of the island.
As for the EU and Schengen, nationals don't need visas to enter Malta as they enjoy freedom of entry and exit. Furthermore, Schengen citizens can enter another country in the Area with valid ID cards if they don't have passports and stay indefinitely in the Country or territory for as long as they wish.
Malta Schengen Visa
Another category of persons that can visit Malta is persons from jo visa-exempt countries. If you are from a nonvisa-exempt country, you will need a Schengen visa to enter Malta. Schengen visas are valid for 180 days and allow the holder to stay in Malta for up to 90 days. These visas are multinational visas because the holder can equally visit any other Schengen country or territory with the same visa instead of applying for a different visa for each Country. Moreover, the Schengen visa can also be used to visit other non-Schengen European countries, like Romania, the Republic of Cyprus, and Bulgaria.
Schengen visas are not work or study visas: they are issued for the sole purpose of tourism, business transit, or any other short-term non-economic purposes.
Malta ETIAS
The European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) is a new program launched by the European Commission on behalf of the EU and Schengen States. This program was commissioned in 2016 and unveiled in late 2022. ETIAS is a visa waiver program for nationals from visa-exempt countries who wish to visit Malta or any other Schengen country in Europe. It is a pre-screening system in which the visitor must pass and get a permit for entry. In the past visa-exempt visitors could simply visit the Schengen Area with just a valid passport, but all that has changed now.
The policy is partially implemented, but by the start of 2024, all visa-exempt visitors must get ETIAS approval before they can enter the Schengen Area. ETIAS is an electronic system that screens the information of each visitor using several security databases. Persons who pass the screening will be issued the approval, while those who fail will be denied entry into Europe.
This is not a visa on arrival or an electronic visa but an entry permit. It allows visitors to enter and stay in Malta for up to 90 days but only within a 180 days period. ETIAS is also valid for 3 years and can be used multiple times.
Key Information About Malta ETIAS
The application process for Malta ETIAS may be straightforward and simple, but the rules guiding its use are somewhat complex. To ensure that you leave nothing to chance, we review key information; you should keep in mind.
Primary Destination Rule: When traveling to Schengen countries and territories, the primary destination rule is one to keep in mind. This rule states that visitors with plans to visit more than one Schengen country must make the first Country they intend to visit their primary destination. For instance, if you plan to visit five Schengen countries in 90 days and Malta is your first port of call, you should make it your primary destination when filling out your Etias form.
90/180 Rule: This rule covers the duration of stay. It simply means that the applicant must not stay for more than 90 days In Malta within 180 days. The rule still holds if you decide to visit other countries during your trip. Rather than counting the days per Country separately, the days are calculated concurrently from the first day you step into Malta and the last day you spend in a different country before leaving the Schengen Area.
Additional Vetting: ETIAS screening processes take some minutes, and you should know your fate immediately whether your application has been accepted or not. However, in certain situations, applications may be put on hold if your details trigger a security alert, but this rarely happens. Your data will be forwarded to the local ETIAS unit in Malta for further vetting in such a scenario. You will be notified; the orgies may take a few days or weeks to respond.
Only For Visa Exempt Nationals: This permit is only designed for visitors who qualify for the visa waiver program by virtue of their nationality. If you are not from a visa-exempt country, apply for a Schengen visa instead.
Not For Employment or Study: ETIAS is not for employment or study as it is only a short-stay document, not for long-term residency or work. If you must work or study in Malta, apply for a work or study visa instead.
Malta Visa Online – Get your Malta e-Visa with VisaHQ
If you are planning a trip to Malta, you need to know which document to apply for depending on your nationality. For visitors from visa-exempt countries, an online ETIAS application is mandatory. Malta is a pleasant place to visit, but you will not get to enjoy all the amazing sights and sounds of the Mediterranean island if you don't meet the entry requirements.
How To Apply For ETIAS With VisaHQ
If you wish to apply for ETIAS with VisaHQ, here are the steps to take.
Fill The Form: The first step is to complete the application form with accurate details. Make sure your details are accurate and in line with what is on your documents.
Upload Documents: Since the application is online, you will have to upload soft copies of all the relevant documents depending on the type of ETIAS you are applying for. After uploading the documents, pay the nonrefundable application fee and submit the form.
Get the ETIAS: Processing takes only some minutes, and if you meet the conditions, the ETIAS will be sent to your email address.
Why Use VisaHQ?
You should use VisaHQ because of several benefits.
- Our platform is safe and secure
- The application takes only a few minutes to complete
- We offer support services to applicants
- More than two decades of experience
You, too, can get your Etias from the comfort of your home with ETIAS. Visit the main page to apply.