Expatriates Unit

Single Permit applications may only be submitted by the employer, in the capacity of the Maltese organisation entrusting the carrying out of specific employment to the non-EU national.

Live-in carers may apply directly, provided that the application is endorsed by the employer.

Employers may apply for a third-country national through the Single Permit Online Portal. Follow these guidelines to apply and gain access to the portal.

Once access is approved by Identità, the employer can log into the Single Permit Online Portal. Guidelines to submit and manage existing applications can be found here.

Once the employer submits an application, the third-country national receives a link to confirm the application and validate the data submitted. Once confirmation is submitted, the employer will receive a notification for the final submission of the application.

Final submissions may only be done if the payment has been submitted online, by either the employer or the third-country national.

Applicable fee: €300.

Live-In Carers

Identità offers manual and online options to submit applications for new, renewal, or change in employer status for live-in carers.

Manual Submission of Application

Applicant is in Malta legally:

For those who prefer to submit their applications manually, we offer a convenient process that involves visiting our offices to submit the required documents and recapture the biometric features.

Once the application is submitted, documentation is checked and verified, and an Interim Receipt is issued to the applicant.
For renewals and changes in employer applications, the Interim Receipt is issued with a Temporary Authorisation to Work.

Applicant is Abroad (outside the Schengen territory):

The employer may visit our offices to submit the required documents.

Where the direct employer cannot submit the application due to limited mobility, a general or special power of attorney (prokura), authenticated by a public notary in Malta, must be provided by any other person submitting the application on the employer’s behalf. The power of attorney must include:

The date of the power of attorney;
The details of the employer: – full name, identity card or passport number and country of issuance and residing address;
The details of the person being appointed to submit application in lieu of the employer - full name, identity card or passport number and country of issuance and residing address;
The amount of live in carers needed by the employer at any given time.

Once the application is approved by the stakeholders, an Approval in Principle letter is issued, and the applicant can start the process of applying for a visa (as applicable).

After arriving in Malta, the applicant must follow the guidelines listed on the Approval in Principle letter to book an appointment for biometrics and finalise the application process. The Approval in Principle letter does not authorise the third-country national to take up employment until the process of the biometrics has been finalised where the applicant is issued with an Interim Receipt and a Temporary Authorisation to Work.

Application Forms for Manual Submission (including Checklists):

New Application – Form C2
Still Abroad Application – Form C5
Renewal Application – Form C1
Change of Employer Application – Form C3
Checklists
Applicable Fee (Authorised Live-in carers only): €27.50

Online Submission of Application

For those who prefer to submit their applications online, the process is even more streamlined, as follows:

Employer signs in to singlepermit.gov.mt using personal e-ID;
Clicks on the “Apply for a Live-In Carer as Individual” card on the personal dashboard screen;
Fill out the necessary details, upload the required documents according to the automatically generated checklist;
Submits online payment of €27.50.

For new applications, the applicant and employer receive an Approval in Principle letter by email, and the applicant can follow the guidelines listed on the letter to book an appointment for biometric capture.

For still abroad applications, the applicant and employer receive an Approval in Principle letter by email, and the applicant can follow the guidelines listed on the letter to apply for an entry visa (where applicable) and book an appointment for biometric capture.

For renewal and change in employer applications, the applicant and employer receive an invitation for biometrics and can book an appointment to recapture the biometric features. Once the process is finalised by all stakeholders, application is approved, and the applicant receives a collection letter at their home address.

Applicable Fee (Authorised Live-in carers only): €27.50.

Transfer between Spouses

When a live-in carer is changing employer between spouses, the applicant must submit a Change of Employer Live-In Carer Application, either by visiting our offices or through the Expatriates online portal. They will be required to provide a covering letter, death certificate, and medical referral as may be applicable.

Once the due diligence process is finalised, the applicant will be invited to visit the Expatriates Unit in Msida to have their biometrics captured and be issued with an Interim Receipt that includes a Temporary Authorisation to Work until the collection letter may be issued and posted for the collection of the residence document.

Applicable Fee (Authorised Live-in carers only): €27.50