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Step-by-Step Guide: Applying for Your Malta National Visa (Type D)

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If your course in Malta lasts longer than 90 days, you need a Malta National Long-Stay Visa (Type D) before you travel. Managed by Identità's Central Visa Unit, this visa is your entry document and the first step toward your eResidence Card. This guide covers the three application routes available in 2026, the full document checklist, fees, and the step-by-step process for both VFS Global and the Premium Service.

Student carrying books and a backpack with a panoramic sunset view of Valletta, Malta.

 Disclaimer: This guide is only meant to help you learn. Visa rules and application costs can change without notice. Always check the newest requirements directly with Identità and the Central Visa Unit before you send your paperwork.

Where to Apply: Choosing Your Malta Visa Application Route

There are three different ways to apply for your visa, depending on the country you live in. Your school or the visa office can help you confirm which route you should take:

Route Who It Is For Where to Apply
Extended Service (VFS Global) Students living in countries that have a physical VFS Global Visa Application Center. In person at your local VFS center.
Premium Service Students in countries that do not have a Malta embassy or a VFS center. Online by sending an email to Identità: visa.premium.identita@gov.mt
Consular Application Students living in a country that has a physical Malta embassy or consulate. At the physical Malta embassy or consulate in your home country.

Malta Student Visa Requirements & Document Checklist

You will need to gather these documents for all three application routes. Always look at the latest checklists on the official Identità website before applying, because rules can change.

Document Important Notes
Completed long-stay visa application form Download the form from identita.gov.mt. You must fill out every section and sign it.
Valid passport Must be valid for at least 10 months from the day you hand in your application.
One recent passport photo Must look clear and follow standard ICAO rules.
Enrolment letter from your institution Must be printed on official school paper. It must show your course level (MQF), credits (ECTS), hours of study, and proof that you paid your tuition deposit. The school must be registered with the MFHEA.
Proof of sufficient financial means You must show recent, stamped bank statements to prove you have enough savings to pay for your daily food, rent, and school fees.
Copy of international bank card A printed copy of the front and back of the ATM card you will use to get your cash inside Malta.
Travel medical insurance Must cover the Schengen area for at least €30,000. If your course is MQF Level 5 or higher, the insurance must cover your first 91 days in a row. For MQF Level 4 or below, it must cover your entire stay.
Proof of accommodation Must cover your first 14 nights in Malta and be in your name. You can use a school housing letter, a registered house contract, or a hotel booking.
Flight tickets Your full flight plan showing your name. You must arrive no more than 2 weeks before your classes start. If your course is under 6 months, you must show a return ticket.

 Note: Every document must be in English. Documents in other languages must be translated by an approved person from the official government list.

 Note: Learn more about healthcare rules in our guide: Navigating the Maltese Healthcare System as an International Student.

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How to Apply for a Malta Visa via VFS Global: Step-by-Step

This is the most popular route for students applying from Africa, Asia, and the Middle East:

  • Step 1. See if there is a VFS Malta office in your country by checking vfsglobal.com. You must send your application at least 9 weeks before your course start date.
  • Step 2. Book your appointment online through the VFS web portal.
  • Step 3. Go to the VFS center in person to hand over your paperwork and passport. They will take your digital photo at the office.
  • Step 4. The VFS office sends your documents safely to the Central Visa Unit inside Malta to be checked.
  • Step 5. Go back to the VFS center to pick up your passport. If you are approved, your Type D visa sticker will be stuck inside your passport pages.

How to Apply via the Malta Premium Visa Service: Step-by-Step

The Premium Visa route is done completely from home. You send your physical passport using a mail courier:

  • Step 1. Send an email to visa.premium.identita@gov.mt. Include your official school acceptance letter and the personal email address you want to use for your application forms.
  • Step 2. The visa office will email you a secret digital token passcode to log into the online upload portal.
  • Step 3. Scan and upload all your required checklist documents onto the website portal.
  • Step 4. Pay €270 online once your files are verified. This special lower rate for students pays for the application processing and secure international mailing costs.
  • Step 5. Print out the shipping label they send you and mail your physical passport to the Central Visa Unit in Malta.
  • Step 6. Your passport will be mailed back to your home within 6 to 8 weeks. Your approved visa sticker will be fixed inside.

Malta Student Visa Fees & Processing Costs

Your total cost changes depending on how you apply. If you use the online Premium Service, the total price for a student is €270. This covers everything, including your return mail courier. If you apply through VFS Global, you will pay a separate service fee set by your local center, which changes based on your country. Check vfsglobal.com to see the exact price for your local area. If you use a physical Malta embassy, you must contact them directly to ask about their standard processing fees.

 Note! You will not get your money back if your student visa application is refused by immigration officers.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which visa route should I use if I am applying from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, or Sri Lanka?

Students from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka typically apply through VFS Global, as all four countries have VFS application centres. Check vfsglobal.com to confirm the location nearest to you and book your appointment at least nine weeks before your course start date. If your local VFS centre does not handle Malta applications, contact Identità at visa.premium.identita@gov.mt to confirm whether the Premium Service applies to your country.

How long does the Malta student visa take to process from India or South Asia?

Processing times vary by route and period of year. Through VFS Global, students commonly report a turnaround of four to eight weeks from submission to passport collection, though this can be longer during busy intake periods in January and September. Through the Premium Service, Identità targets a six to eight week window from receipt of your physical passport. Apply at least nine weeks before your course start date to give yourself a safe buffer, and do not book non-refundable flights until your visa is approved.

Can I apply for the Malta student visa if my passport expires within the next year?

Only if it meets the minimum validity requirement. Your passport must be valid for at least ten months from the date you submit your application. If your passport expires sooner than that, renew it before you apply for the visa. Submitting a visa application with a passport that does not meet this threshold will result in automatic rejection, and your fee is non-refundable.

What is the difference between the VFS Global fee and the Premium Service fee?

The Premium Service charges a flat EUR 270 for students, which covers application processing and secure international courier costs in both directions, meaning your passport is mailed to Malta and returned to you. The VFS Global fee structure is different: the government visa fee is set separately from the VFS service charge, and both vary by country. Check your local VFS centre's published fee schedule at vfsglobal.com for the exact combined cost in your location before budgeting.

My accommodation is not confirmed yet. Can I still submit my visa application?

You need to show proof of accommodation covering your first 14 nights in Malta, but this does not have to be a permanent rental contract at the time of application. A confirmed hotel booking, a school housing letter, or a short-term accommodation reservation in your name covering the arrival period is acceptable. Many students book a hotel or student residence for the first two weeks, submit the confirmation with their visa file, and then arrange their longer-term rental after arriving and seeing properties in person.

Arrived in Malta? Your Next Step: The eResidence Card

Your Type D student visa sticker is only used to enter the country. Once you arrive in Malta, you must apply for your plastic eResidence Card within 90 days. Read our next guide to learn how: Malta e-Residence Card 2026: The 90-Day Guide for International Students.

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