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All relocation routes

Relocation and Japa

Legal ways for Africans to move to Malta

The routes Malta's government runs itself, each linked to its official page. Fees and the money you must show are copied from that page, with the date we read it. You apply yourself. You never need an agent.

Never pay an agent

Every route below is applied for on the government's own website. Fees go to the government only. Anyone who asks you to pay them for a visa, a job offer or a lottery win is not to be trusted. Check a message or offer.

Routes into Malta

2 routes into Malta.

Remote work (digital nomad) Malta

Nomad Residence Permit

Run by Residency Malta Agency

Remote workers aged 18 or over who work for a foreign employer, run a foreign company, or freelance for foreign clients, and earn at least EUR 42,000 a year. Nationals of, or people with close ties to, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Somalia, South Sudan and Sudan are not eligible, according to the FAQ page.

Job offer
Not required in Malta. You need a work contract with a foreign employer, a foreign company you own, or contracts with foreign clients.
Language
Not stated on the official page
Education
Not stated on the official page
Work experience
Not stated on the official page
Government fee
EUR 300 non refundable application fee per person, plus EUR 100 per person for the residency card, plus any visa fees.
Processing time
Expected to take 30 working days from the receipt of funds, not counting visa processing. The permit is valid for 1 year from the issue of the residency card.
Money you must show
Minimum gross yearly income of EUR 42,000. You also need health insurance, a rental or purchase agreement, and a police conduct certificate.
When and to whom you pay
The EUR 300 fee is paid to Residency Malta Agency by bank transfer from the main applicant's account after a receipt of application is issued. The EUR 100 card fee is paid by card in person at Residency Malta's offices.

Read the official page

Checked on 18 October 2026. What the page says

Read on nomad.residencymalta.gov.mt on 2026-10-18: "an applicant must have a minimum gross yearly income of €42,000."; FAQ: "Democratic Republic of Congo, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Yemen and Venezuela are not eligible"; fees: "a non-refundable application fee of €300 per person"; "Application processing is expected to take 30 working days". Another official page. Another official page.

Work visa Malta

Key Employee Initiative (single permit for highly qualified workers)

Run by Identità (Expatriates Unit)

Non EU nationals with a job offer in Malta for a managerial or highly technical post paying at least EUR 45,000 a year.

Job offer
Required, for a managerial or highly technical position. The employer must show one job advert of at least 2 weeks within the 2 months before applying.
Language
Not stated on the official page
Education
Certified copies of the relevant qualifications or warrants, or proof of work experience.
Work experience
Adequate experience for the job if you do not hold the relevant qualifications. The number of years is not stated on the page.
Government fee
EUR 600 for a first time application. EUR 150 per year for renewals, for the duration of the permit (up to 3 years).
Processing time
The page says KEI follows the regular single permit process but is processed faster. No number of days is given. The first permit is valid for 1 year and can be renewed for up to 3 years.
Money you must show
Annual gross salary of at least EUR 45,000.
When and to whom you pay
Not stated on the official page

Read the official page

Checked on 18 October 2026. What the page says

Read on identita.gov.mt on 2026-10-18: "an annual gross salary of at least €45,000 per annum"; "First-time applications - €600"; "Renewal applications €150 per year for the duration of the permit (up to three years)".

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