Malta: Pre-Departure Course Required for New Single Permit Applicants

The situation 

Beginning March 1, 2026, the Maltese government will require all first-time Single Permit applicants to take a mandatory pre-departure course on a new online portal and to submit a valid Pre-Departure Course Certificate with their Single Permit application. 

A closer look 

• Pre-departure course. The course is designed to ensure that incoming workers meet basic standards in: English language proficiency, workplace awareness and rights, and cultural and social integration.  
  • • • • Part 1 of course. All Single Permit applicants will need to complete Part 1 of the course, which contains online modules and assessments on “Living and Working in Malta” and “Rights and Obligations at the Workplace”. Further, applicants will need to appear at an in-person interview to verify English language proficiency and understanding of the course content.  
        • Part 2 of course. Part 2 only applies to individuals seeking to work in certain occupations that require additional sectoral certification, such as tourism and hospitality.  
• Process. All new Single Permit applicants will be required to complete the course and obtain a Pre-Departure Course Certificate prior to submitting a Single Permit application. The course can be completed online through the Skills Pass Portal.  
• Fee. The cost of the pre-departure course is EUR 250. 
• Exemptions. Current Single Permit Pass holders are exempt from the pre-departure course requirement.  

Impact 

The new requirement may delay the application process for certain Single Permit applicants and may also make it more difficult for some applicants to work in Malta, particularly if they are not proficient in English. Employers should take this new requirement into account when assessing new third-country nationals to hire in Malta. 

Background 

Malta’s economy is growing strongly but has low unemployment, labor shortages and an ageing population, making foreign labor essential. The new system seeks to balance labor needs with fair treatment, job stability and integration, reducing turnover and preventing exploitation of migrants, while aligning immigration with actual market demand. 

Looking ahead 

Malta is refining how foreign workers are admitted and managed as part of a planned, phased strategy to make migration fairer and better aligned with labor needs, and more protective of workers and employers in general. We will report on related developments. 

This alert is for informational purposes only. If you have any questions, please contact the global immigration professional with whom you work at Fragomen.