Once you have completed your 90-day residence requirement and your eResidence Card is issued, your employer can apply for your Jobsplus Employment Licence — but only if you supply them with the correct documents upfront. This guide covers exactly what to provide, what the Skills Pass requirement means for hospitality roles, how attendance affects your right to work, and what happens if you change employer.
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 Jobsplus and Identità, before making any major career or legal decisions.
Mandatory Document Checklist for a Malta Student Work Permit
Note: Before gathering your documents, make sure you understand Malta's basic work restrictions, including the 90-day waiting period and the 20-hour weekly limit in our guide: Can I Work Part-Time in Malta? Rules and Regulations for Non-EU Students.
Your employer will send your official Employment License application directly to Jobsplus. To avoid any processing delays, you will need to give your employer these exact items:
- Complete Passport Copy: A printed or digital copy of every single page inside your passport, including the blank pages. Leaving out pages will cause the visa office to pause your application.
- Signed CV: Your resume must use the official Jobsplus ELU/FM-012 CV template. You must print this document out and sign it with your pen.
- Proof of Enrolment: A fresh, dated school acceptance letter proving you are actively attending your classes.
- Residence Documentation: A copy of your plastic e-Residence card or the official paper interim receipt given to you by Identità.
- Skills Pass Certificate: This paper is only required if your part-time job is in a hotel, cafe, bar, or restaurant. You can learn how to get this pass on the official Skills Pass Malta website.
Note: Your new boss will mix these papers with your signed job contract and upload them online using the official Jobsplus Portal (Form ELU/FM–009).
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Maintaining Your Student Visa: Attendance Matters
Your legal right to keep your part-time job depends entirely on your student status. International colleges in Malta are required by law to monitor your attendance. If you skip classes without a valid medical reason, your school must report you to the government.
When it is time to renew your student visa or your e-Residence card, you must show proof of good grades and high class attendance. Failing to attend your classes regularly can cause the government to cancel your work license and force you to leave the country.
Can You Transfer a Malta Work Permit to a New Employer?
Your student work permit is not a general card that lets you work anywhere you want on the island. It is legally connected to the exact company that applied for it.
If you quit your job or leave the company, your work permit becomes invalid immediately. You cannot start working at a different shop or cafe until your new boss applies for and receives a brand-new work license from Jobsplus.
Frequently Asked Questions
The ELU/FM-012 CV template is available to download directly from the Jobsplus website at jobsplus.gov.mt. Search for the Employment License Unit forms section. Once you download it, complete all fields, print it out, and sign it by hand before giving it to your employer. A digitally typed signature is not accepted; the form must carry your original handwritten signature before it can be submitted as part of your Jobsplus licence application.
Only for hospitality roles. The Skills Pass certificate is required specifically if your part-time job is in a hotel, café, bar, or restaurant. It is not needed for retail, office, administrative, or other non-hospitality positions. If your job offer is in hospitality, register for the Skills Pass through skillspass.org.mt before your employer submits your Jobsplus application, as missing this document will delay your licence approval.
Student work licences in Malta are typically issued for short periods aligned with your student residence permit validity, often for periods of less than six months at a time. Your employer must apply for a renewal before the current licence expires to ensure there is no gap in your legal right to work. At each renewal your employer will again need your current proof of enrolment, updated residence documentation, and a fresh copy of any expiring documents. Track your licence expiry date carefully and give your employer advance notice so the renewal is submitted in time.
Your institution sets and enforces the attendance policy in line with MFHEA licensing requirements. A documented medical reason, supported by a doctor's certificate, is the most widely accepted valid excuse. Other circumstances such as a family emergency may also be considered, but you must notify your institution in advance wherever possible and follow their official absence procedure. Unauthorised absences, including skipping class for work shifts, are recorded and reported to immigration authorities when your residence permit comes up for renewal, and can result in your work licence being cancelled.
Yes, your Interim Receipt is accepted as proof of residence documentation in place of the physical e-Residence card while your card is being printed. Your employer can include a copy of it in the Jobsplus application file. However, your application will still only be processed after your 90 days of residence in Malta have been completed. Once your plastic e-Residence card arrives, provide your employer with an updated copy for their records, as the card is the primary document used for any future licence renewals.
Ready to Start Working in Malta as an International Student?
A complete, accurate document file submitted to your employer before they file the Jobsplus application is the single most effective way to avoid delays in your licence approval. Once approved, your licence remains valid only as long as your student status is maintained — regular attendance, satisfactory academic performance, and staying with the same employer are all conditions of continued eligibility. If you change employer, the process starts again with a new application.
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