International students in Malta can work part-time while studying, but non-EU students must meet specific immigration requirements and obtain a Jobsplus Employment Licence before starting employment. Depending on your course, you may be eligible to work from your first year of study or after completing 12 weeks in Malta. This guide explains the Malta student work permit requirements for 2027, including eligibility, application documents, Skills Pass rules, working hours, and what to do if you change employers.
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Disclaimer: This article is for general information only. 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 Jobsplus and Identità, before making any major career or legal decisions.
What Is a Malta Student Work Permit?
A Malta student work permit is an employment licence issued by Jobsplus, Malta's public employment service. It gives a non-EU student the legal right to work for one specific employer. Without it, any job you do in Malta is illegal, even a short trial shift.
The employment licence is separate from your student visa or residence permit. Having a valid student visa or eResidence card does not automatically give you permission to work.
Your employer must apply for the employment licence on your behalf, and you must wait until the required authorisation is issued before starting work.
Most non-EU students can work up to 20 hours per week. For the full rules on who can work and for how many hours, read our guide: Can I Work Part-Time in Malta? Rules and Regulations for Non-EU Students.
When Can You Apply for a Student Work Permit in Malta?
The waiting period depends on your course level and immigration status. Malta distinguishes between students pursuing recognised higher education qualifications and those enrolled in English-language or lower-level courses.
Warning! Never start work before your employment licence is approved. Working without a licence can lead to your visa being cancelled and can hurt future visa applications.
Malta Student Work Permit Document Checklist
Your employer submits the application online using the Jobsplus form ELU/FM-009. They upload your documents to this form. To avoid delays, give your employer these items:
- A copy of every passport page: Copy all pages, including the blank ones. Missing pages can slow down your application.
- A certified copy of your residence document: This can be your valid residence permit (your e-Residence card), your interim permit, or a valid visa. "Certified" means an official has stamped it as a true copy of the original.
- A signed CV on the official template: Use the Jobsplus ELU/FM-012 CV template. Fill it in and sign it yourself.
- Your school acceptance letter: This letter from your school proves you are a student. A recent, dated letter is best.
- A Skills Pass, if your job is in tourism or hospitality: See the Skills Pass section below to check if you need one.
Your employer must also provide information about the proposed position and employment arrangements. Jobsplus may request additional documents depending on the application and the applicant's circumstances.
Do You Need a Skills Pass to Work in Malta?
A Skills Pass is required for many positions in Malta's tourism and hospitality sector. This includes relevant employment in hotels, restaurants, cafés and bars. However, not every position within the sector requires a Skills Pass.
From January 5, 2026, certain occupations were excluded from the requirement. These include:
- Accounts employees
- Marketing employees
- Human resources employees
- Stores employees
- Cleaners
- Kitchen porters
This is a non-exhaustive list. If your intended position is not included in the published exemptions, contact the Skills Pass team to confirm whether you need certification.
The Skills Pass process involves the applicable training and assessment requirements. The process and fees depend on the relevant certification pathway. Visit the official Malta Tourism and Hospitality Skills Pass website for current eligibility information, exemptions, training requirements and application details.
Tip! If you intend to work in hospitality, check your Skills Pass requirements early. You may need to complete the relevant training and assessment before your employment licence can be issued.
Got your documents ready?
See which part-time jobs are popular with international students in Malta and what they pay.
Keep Your Student Visa Valid: Attendance Matters
Your right to work in Malta depends on maintaining your student status and complying with your residence permit conditions.
Students must:
- Attend classes regularly and follow their institution's attendance requirements.
- Make satisfactory academic progress throughout their studies.
- Remain enrolled in the course associated with their student immigration status.
- Inform their school if they are unable to attend classes and provide supporting documentation where required.
Identità can withdraw or refuse to renew a student residence authorisation if a student does not meet the applicable attendance or academic progress requirements.
If you are ill, notify your institution and provide a medical certificate where requested. For planned absences, such as travel, obtain approval from your school in advance.
Remember that working part-time must not interfere with your primary responsibility as a student.
For further information, consult Identità's student residence permit rights and obligations.
Can You Transfer a Malta Work Permit to a New Employer?
No. A student Employment Licence is issued in relation to the approved employment arrangement. You cannot automatically transfer an existing licence to another employer.
If you change jobs, your new employer must submit the appropriate employment licence application to Jobsplus. You must wait for the necessary approval before starting your new position.
If you want to work for a second employer while keeping your existing job, a separate secondary employment licence may be required. Jobsplus provides a dedicated secondary employment licence checklist (ELU/CL-004).
Always confirm the correct application route with Jobsplus before changing employers or accepting additional work.
Frequently Asked Questions
You can download the official Jobsplus ELU/FM-012 CV template. Complete the required sections, sign and date the document, and give it to your employer to include with the employment licence application.
No. A Skills Pass is required for many tourism and hospitality positions, but certain occupations, including accounts, marketing, HR, stores, cleaners and kitchen porters, are exempt from January 5, 2026. Check the official Skills Pass guidance to confirm whether your specific position is covered.
Eligible non-EU students can generally work up to 20 hours per week with an approved Jobsplus Employment Licence. The waiting period depends on the course: eligible higher education students can apply from their first year once their residence permit is issued, while English-language and MQF Level 1–4 students generally need to complete 12 weeks of study.
The validity of your employment licence is subject to the approval and conditions set by Jobsplus. It is important to check the licence's expiry date and ensure that your student immigration authorisation remains valid. Your employer must apply for any required extension before the existing licence expires.
You must continue to meet your institution's attendance and academic progress requirements. Unjustified absences or poor academic progress may affect your student residence permit and your ability to continue working. Notify your school about absences and provide supporting documents where necessary.
The documentation accepted depends on your student category and the employment licence application requirements. Some students apply using a Type D visa, while eligible higher education students apply after receiving their study residence permit. Ask your employer and Jobsplus to confirm which document is required in your circumstances.
It depends on your course. Eligible full-time higher education students pursuing an MQRIC-recognised qualification can apply for an employment licence from their first year once their student residence permit has been issued. English-language students and students following MQF Level 1–4 courses lasting more than 90 days generally become eligible after 12 weeks of study. In both cases, the required employment licence must be issued before work begins.
Start Working in Malta With Confidence
Working part-time in Malta can help international students gain professional experience and supplement their living expenses while studying. However, it is important to understand the employment licence process before accepting a job.
Check your eligibility based on your course, prepare the required documents, confirm whether you need a Skills Pass, and ensure your employer obtains the necessary Jobsplus approval before you start working.
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