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Malta — Nomad Residence Permit (national)

A remote-work visa — the requirements below apply to eligible nationalities; this plan is grounded for a American applicant. See related guides for other passports.

🧳 Digital nomad🇺🇸 nationality: United States🇺🇸 lives in: United States🇲🇹 going to: Maltaupdated 2026-06-24

US citizens can apply for Malta's Nomad Residence Permit — a national route that lets remote workers keep their foreign-based employment while living in Malta — through the Residency Malta Agency online application system.

What this visa is for

Malta's Nomad Residence Permit for remote workers who retain employment based in another country while legally residing in Malta.

Validity
The permit is issued for one year and can be renewed at the discretion of Residency Malta
Entries
Multiple entry (residence permit)
Max stay per visit
One year per permit; renewable while eligibility criteria are still met

official source →

When to start

Start 30 days–2 months before your travel date.

The low end assumes everything goes smoothly; the high end leaves margin for delays and passport hiccups. You can apply at most 6 months ahead.

Pick your travel date — every deadline below updates instantly:

You're on track — start by 25 Jul 2026 to be ready in time.
1
Confirm you qualifystart by 25 Jul 2026

You must be a third-country national who can work remotely using telecommunications, and either work for an employer registered abroad, run a foreign-registered company you part-own, or offer freelance/consulting services to clients abroad.

takes ~1 day
Source: nomad.residencymalta.gov.mt · updated 2026-06-24
2
Gather your documentsstart by 24 Aug 2026

Assemble the last three months' bank statements, an employment contract or service contracts showing remote work for foreign clients, a CV, a valid travel document, health insurance, and a police conduct certificate.

takes ~14 days
Source: nomad.residencymalta.gov.mt · updated 2026-06-24
3
Submit the online application and pay the feestart by 8 Sept 2026

Make the application through the online application system. A receipt of application is issued with instructions to pay a €300 non-refundable administrative fee per applicant by bank transfer.

takes ~1 day
Source: nomad.residencymalta.gov.mt · updated 2026-06-24
4
Await approval, then capture biometrics in Maltastart by 23 Sept 2026

Processing takes about 30 working days from receipt of funds. On approval in principle you submit accommodation and health-insurance proof within 30 days; after final approval and biometrics in Malta, the residence card is issued in three to four weeks.

takes ~1 day
Source: nomad.residencymalta.gov.mt · updated 2026-06-24

What you'll need

Where you'll apply

Where you'll apply in United States

Apply in your district

Researched for this route · checked 2026-06-24

Applications are made through the Residency Malta Agency online application system. The permit is open to third-country nationals (non-EU, non-EEA, non-Swiss); US citizens qualify.

Fingerprints are stored in the EU Visa Information System for 59 months, so a Schengen visa in the last 5 years may let you apply without appearing in person.

Sources: nomad.residencymalta.gov.mt

Getting a slot — book early · community-reported, checked 2026-06-13

  • Slots are released in batches with no fixed public schedule — most often early morning local time, on Monday mornings, and around the 1st of the month.
  • For popular consulates (e.g. France, Italy and Spain in big cities), a fresh batch can be gone within minutes — be registered and logged in before you look.
  • Cancellations free up slots throughout the day, so check daily even when it shows ‘no availability’.
  • Because of this, apply as early as you are allowed — up to 6 months before travel. Waiting until 1–2 months out often means no slots are left at all.

nomad.residencymalta.gov.mt — official source for this route

Fees

Administrative fee
Non-refundable administrative fee for each applicant, paid by bank transfer.
EUR 300

Official fee from the Residency Malta Agency.

Gotchas to watch

Sources

Every step on this page comes from an official source, with the date it was last checked. Sources used:

Related guides

🇺🇸 United StatesUnited Arab EmiratesVirtual Work Residence Visa
🇺🇸 United StatesBrazilDigital Nomad Visa (VITEM XIV)
🇺🇸 United StatesBrazile-Visa (VITEM/VIVIS electronic visa)
🇺🇸 United StatesChinaTourist (L) visa

All visa options for a American passport →