Non-EU international students in Malta can work part-time legally, but only after a specific sequence of requirements is met — 90 days of residence, an issued eResidence Card, and an employer-submitted Jobsplus Employment Licence. This guide covers when you can start, how many hours are permitted, what your employer needs from you, and the consequences of working outside these rules.
Disclaimer: This article is only meant to help you learn about work rules. Malta’s immigration and employment laws are strictly enforced and can change. Always check the newest regulations and minimum wage updates directly with official government offices, including Identità and Jobsplus, before making any major career or legal decisions.
The 90-Day Waiting Period: When Can Non-EU Students Work in Malta?
According to the immigration office Identità, students from outside Europe must live in Malta for their first 90 days before they can get a part-time job.
- You must also receive your physical e-Residence card before your work authorization can begin.
- This residence card is only given to students who are enrolled in full-time higher education programs at MQF Level 5 or higher.
- Both the 90 days of living in Malta and your physical card must be cleared before you can legally work.
Plan Ahead: Make sure to travel to Malta with enough personal savings to pay for at least 3 to 4 months of rent and food before you get your first job paycheck.
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Malta Student Visa Work Limits: The 20-Hour Weekly Rule Explained
According to the European Commission's immigration rules for Malta, international students can only work a maximum of 20 hours per week while classes are in session.
- Working more than 20 hours is a severe visa violation. It can cause the government to cancel your visa, force you to leave the country, and give your boss heavy cash fines.
- Some official summer programs run by the government allow students to work up to 40 hours per week during school holidays. Always double-check your permitted hours with Jobsplus and Identità before accepting any extra shifts.
- Summer vacation periods are the best time to work more hours and grow your savings.
Part-Time Student Wages: How Much Can You Earn in Malta?
Malta’s legal minimum wage is set by the government and checked regularly by the Department of Industrial and Employment Relations (DIER). Instead of an hourly rate, the minimum wage is calculated as a weekly amount. Part-time students have a legal right to receive at least this minimum rate based on the type of work they do.
To plan your budget accurately, you should check the latest official minimum wage values directly with DIER or Jobsplus before calculating how much money you will make.
The Jobsplus Work Permit Process: How to Legally Get Hired
This is a very important rule to remember: you cannot apply for your own student work card. Your employer has to do it for you.
Once a company gives you a formal job offer, your new boss must submit a Student Work Licence application directly to the government employment department called Jobsplus. You are not allowed to work a single hour or start training until this license is officially approved.
Documents your employer will ask you to provide:
- A copy of your signed employment contract agreement
- A printed copy of your valid Malta student visa sticker
- Your physical plastic Malta e-Residence card
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, and it is strongly recommended. The 90-day period before you can legally work is an ideal time to research local employers, attend campus career events, update your CV, and speak to managers about upcoming roles. Having a job offer and your employer ready to submit the Jobsplus licence application as soon as your 90 days and e-Residence card are both in order means you can start earning much sooner after the waiting period ends.
The standard 20-hour limit applies while classes are in session. During official school holiday periods, some government-approved summer programmes allow eligible students to work up to 40 hours per week. However, you must confirm with Jobsplus and Identità that any extended hours arrangement is officially authorised before you accept extra shifts. Working beyond your permitted hours at any time, even during holidays, without formal approval is a serious visa violation that can result in cancellation of your student status.
International students most commonly find part-time work in hospitality, food and beverage service, retail, customer service, and administrative support roles. English-speaking students are particularly in demand in tourism, iGaming customer support, and tech-adjacent roles in business districts such as SmartCity Malta and St Julian's. Jobsplus applications are considered more favourably when the employment offer is related to your field of study, so targeting roles connected to your programme strengthens both your application and your CV.
Working without an approved Jobsplus licence or before your 90-day waiting period and e-Residence card requirements are met is illegal under Maltese employment and immigration law. Consequences can include cancellation of your student visa, a deportation order, and a ban on re-entering Malta or the Schengen Area. Your employer also faces heavy financial penalties. There are no exceptions for informal, cash-in-hand, or trial-period arrangements; any working hours before the licence is approved count as unauthorised employment.
No. Your Jobsplus student work licence is tied to a specific employer. If you change jobs, your new employer must submit a fresh licence application for you before you begin working for them. You cannot simply transfer the existing licence from one employer to another. Stop work at your current job before starting with the new employer, allow time for the new licence to be approved, and keep copies of both the outgoing and incoming licences for your records. Always confirm the new licence is formally approved before starting your first shift with the new company.
Your Action Plan: Next Steps for Working in Malta
Arrive with at least three to four months of savings to cover the period before you can legally work. Apply for your eResidence Card as soon as you arrive — your employer needs it to submit the Jobsplus licence application. Use the 90-day waiting period to research employers, attend career events, and secure a job offer so the licence application can be filed the moment your eligibility requirements are met. Do not begin any work, including trial shifts or unpaid training, until the licence is formally approved.
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Sources
- Jobsplus Malta: National Employment Agency and Work Licensing Regulations Portal
- Identità Expatriates Unit: Non-EU Student e-Residence Status & 90-Day Employment Rules
- DIER Malta: Department of Industrial and Employment Relations Hub & Working Conditions Regulations
- European Commission: EU Immigration Portal - Student Work Rights and 20-Hour Constraints in Malta