Malta Schengen Visa Application Requirements

Introduction

Malta is an archipelago in the central Mediterranean between Sicily and the North African coast. It’s a nation known for historic sites related to a succession of rulers including the Romans, Moors, Knights of Saint John, French and British. The country entered the Schengen Agreement in 2003 and started issuing Malta Schengen Visa in 2007.

It has an area of 316 km2 with a population of just 429,362 residents.

Despite being such a small country in terms of both population and size, the country received mammoth 37,881 visa applications in 2017.

Schengen Area

The Schengen Area refers to a territory where the free movement of persons is guaranteed.  The 26 signatory States to the Agreement have abolished all internal borders in lieu of a single external border.  In the Schengen Area, common rules and procedures are applied with regard to visas for short-stays, asylum requests, and border controls.  Simultaneously, cooperation and coordination between Police services and judicial authorities guarantee security. Schengen cooperation was incorporated into the European Union (EU) legal framework by the Treaty of Amsterdam of 1997.

What is Schengen Visa?

Schengen Visa is a short-stay visa that enables its holder to travel 26 European countries which are part of the Schengen Area. Authorities concerned will not subject the holder of Schengen Visa to border checks at the internal borders of the Schengen countries.

General Documents for Malta Schengen Visa Application

Application form: The first step is to download the application form from the website. Read it carefully and then fill it with utmost honesty.

The country has also introduced the facility of filling the Schengen Visa application electronically and then printing a hard-copy for submitting it in the embassy or consulate.

Attach two latest photos with it. Photos should be clicked in the passport format by the applicant, full-face captured with a light background.

Passport:  The current passport must be valid for a minimum of 90 days beyond the validity of the requested visa.

The current passport must have been issued within the last 10 years and it must have a minimum of 2 blank visa pages in order to affix the visa.

Other important documents are as follow:

Roundtrip Flight Itinerary for visa application: The document specifies flight numbers and dates detailing the applicant’s entry and exit from the Schengen state.

Travel Visa Health Insurance: The Travel Visa Health Insurance is a mandatory document that an applicant should submit along with other documents for visa application. As per law, the Travel Visa Health Insurance should cover minimum expenses worth 30,000 euros in case of any medical complication, accident or repatriation after death. The insurance policy should clearly mention the name of the insured traveler, its validity and the benefits offered. The availed insurance should cover emergency treatments of hospitals in case of medical complications and repatriation on medical grounds and even death.

Hotel Booking Reservation/Proof of accommodation: It is a document that specifies place/places of applicant’s stay during the course of his/her visit to Schengen state/states. It includes:

A hotel/hostel booking; and

A rental agreement; and

A letter of invitation from a host at whose house you will be staying.

Cover Letter: Cover Letter or Covering Letter is a letter sent with and explaining the contents of another document/documents or parcels of goods.

The applicant explains the following things in the Schengen Visa Cover Letter:

The Intention of traveling to the Schengen state/states.

Proof of civil status (marriage certificate, birth certificate of children, death certificate of spouse, ration card if applicable).

Explaining relation with a sponsor (if any) and the reasons for sponsorship. An overview of the applicant’s flight itinerary.

In case the applicant fails to produce a document, then he tells the reasons and explains the alternative documents (that he/she might have submitted).

Means of subsistence: It means to provide evidence to the Malta Embassy or consulate that the applicant has sufficient amount or financial resources to bear his/her expenditures during his stay in the Schengen country. The applicant is bound to attest to the Malta Consulate or Embassy that he possesses daily cash equivalent to 48 euros.

Proof of paid visa fee: €60 for adults and €35 for children from 6 to 12 years old. These fees are not reimbursable in case the visa application gets rejected.

If employed:

Employment contract; and

Current bank statement of the latest 6 months; and

Leave permission from the employer; and

Income Tax Return (ITR) form or Certificate of Income Tax deducted at the source of salary.

If self-employed:

A copy of your business license; and

Company bank statement of the latest 6 months; and

Income Tax Return (ITR).

If a student:

Proof of enrollment; and

No-objection certificate from school or university.

If retired:

Pension statement of the latest 6 months.

If applicable:

Regular income generated by property proof of the latest 6 months.

*Note: The signed application form must be accompanied the rest of the above-mentioned mandatory documents and handed personally at the appropriate embassy/consulate or its representative in your home country.

Apart from the general documentation required, accompanying should be other additional documents depending on the nature of your visa application.

Malta Schengen Visa for Tourism/Visit Visa

Proof of sponsorship/Invitation (originally signed): It is recommended to attach the proof of sponsorship/invitation with the visa application. Immigration Authority of Malta issues the document; and

In case the applicant intends to visit more Schengen countries, travel plans.

Malta Schengen Visa for Business Purpose

Invitation letter: An applicant must attach an invitation letter issued by the company of the host country. It is pertinent here to mention that an invitation letter must contain the detailed address of the company and complete dates pf applicant’s visit.

NOC from employer: This letter explains the reasons for the applicant’s travel to the host nation.

Proof of financial means: The employer or company of the host nation is bound to submit an affidavit regarding coverage of the applicant’s expenses during his/her stay in the Schengen state.

Business Bank Statement: Applicant must attach the bank statement of his/her company for the past six months.

Memorandum and Article of Association

Trade License (first issued and present renewal).

Malta Schengen Visa for Study Purpose

Enrollment certificate: An enrollment certificate issued by the school/college/university of the host nation.

NOC: A No Objection Certificate from issued by the school/college/university of the host nation.

Malta Schengen Visa for Medical Purpose

Medical Report: A medical report issued by the doctor, clinic or hospital of the applicant’s home country.

Medical Attestation: An attestation from the doctor or hospital of the host nation stating the dates of the applicant’s appointment.

Letter of Invitation: This document details the applicant’s aims for consulting the doctor of Schengen country, minute details of illness along with the expected duration of the treatment, estimated expenses, and the doctor leading the medical board and so on.

For emergency cases, the applicant must attach a formal confirmation letter issued by a medical team of Malta. The letter must express the readiness of the team to treat the patient on an emergency basis.

Proof of covering or paying medical expenses in advance.

Receipts issued by Malta hospitals detailing advance payment of medical expenses.

A letter issued by the finance department of the medical institution detailing information for uncovered medical treatment.

Bank transfer slip: A bank transfer slip to confirm payment of dues in advance (for prepaid medical treatment of the applicant).

Guarantee letter: A visa applicant provides this document to the Malta Embassy or consulate. Through a guarantee letter, the applicant ensures officials of possessing a tendency to cover the extra medical costs.

Verbal note: A document submitted either by the Ministry of Health or Embassy of the applicant’s country expressing readiness to cover medical expenditures.

Confirmation Letter from Employer: This document is penned by the employer of the applicant to confirm that the latter possesses financial means to cope with medical expenditures in Malta.

Birth Certificate (for a minor applicant): The certificate must be provided in original accompanied with a copy

Letter of Consent: A formal document penned by a parent stating he/she has no issue whatsoever over minor’s travel with the other parent.

If the minor is traveling with a third person, then both parents will submit a mutual letter of consent in Malta.

Roundtrip Flight Itinerary displaying dates of arrival in and departure from Malta.

The applicant must attach evidence of Hotel Reservations/Proof of accommodation with the Malta Schengen Visa application.

Additional documents required by the spouse of Malta national for visa application

Proof of Malta citizenship (ID card or consular card or certification of Malta nationality or naturalization order).

Malta marriage certificate.

Malta family record book.

Other specific documents depending upon nature of visa

Diplomatic officers at embassies or consulates of Schengen states can demand other documents depending upon the nature of visa.

Duration of Malta Schengen Visa

A Malta Schengen Visa holder can stay up to 90 days within a period of six months for business or tourist purposes in Schengen state/states.

However, if you want to live or work in any of the Schengen countries for more than 90 days, then you are required to apply for an extension in Malta Schengen Visa at the corresponding office.

When to apply?

As per instructions and rules of the European Commission, an aspirant must file the Schengen Visa application at least 15 days prior to the start date of his trip.