Chetcuti Cauchi offers a range of employment-related services to its array of business clients. We specialise in assisting clients identify, manage and reduce business risk in the fields of labour issues, human resources, and health & safety.
Table of Contents
WORK PERMITS IN MALTA
(Employment Licences)
Government Policy on Work Permits
All foreign nationals require work permit to work in Malta. In respect of foreigners, the Government maintains a very restrictive policy and employment licences are granted only in exceptional circumstances.
Such work permits are issued to employers wishing to engage foreigners for a determined period and for a specific purpose, ONLY after it has been ascertained that every effort has been made to engage a suitable Maltese citizen.
Conditions for the Issue of a Work Permit
a) Applicants for an employment licence must first secure an offer of employment from an employer in Malta;
b) Applicants must possesses a specialist skill or qualification of which there is a shortage in Malta;
c) There must exist a significant demand in a particular field e.g. qualified nurses, tourist guides with particular language skills, construction workers…
A work permit is issued by the Director of Labour subject to the above prerequisites and upon the request of a potential employer.
Work Permits Documents Required
The following documentation should accompany your application for an employment licence:
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a valid passport,
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a certificate of good conduct;
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a letter of employment including a full job description by the prospective employer.
Validity & Renewal of Work Permits
Employment licences are normally issued valid for one year. Licenses valid for up to three years may also be applied for at the express request of the employer and provided sufficient justification is given. Licences may be renewed thereafter where a request to that effect is justified.
Residence Permit
A residence permit is automatically granted with the approval of a work permit for the applicant and his/her spouse. However, this does not entitle the spouse to work or automatically qualify for an employment licence unless demand for work is felt in the respective field.
Indefinite licences
Where a foreign national is an investor in the manufacturing or financial services sector and holds substantial shareholding (40%) in the enterprise, the relative licence may be issued indefinitely.
Professional Work Permit Applications
We offer job search services or employee recruitment assistance and we can also assist you if you have a job offer from an employer in Malta.
