The Malta permanent residence programme
Malta is a Mediterranean island with some distinctive features such as extensive air links. The Malta golden visa program is for non-Maltese to obtain permanent residency in Malta by investing substantially. There are two options available: Malta Citizenship by Investment and the Malta Permanent Residency Programme (MPRP).
Differences between the Malta golden visa programs:
It’s essential to understand the differences between the two Malta Golden visa programs to make an informed decision. The Malta Citizenship by Investment program offers investors a Maltese passport after three years of residency or one year with a higher investment. On the other hand, the Malta Permanent Residency Programme (MPRP) offers permanent residency in Malta instead of immediate citizenship, and the investment threshold is lower. After obtaining a permanent residence card, you can apply for Malta citizenship after at least five years.
Benefits of the Malta golden visa program:
Becoming a citizen or permanent resident of Malta offers several benefits beyond what is already listed. These benefits include:
- Visa-free travel to over 180 countries
- Access to the EU single market
- Political stability
- Malta offers a high standard of living
- Excellent weather
- A strategic location within the European Union
Application process:
To apply for a Malta Golden visa, you’ll need to travel to Malta to make your investment. You’ll need to collect all the necessary documents, and submit your application to the Residency Malta Agency. The application process can be complex. But it’s essential to review a detailed guide on how to prepare for the application.
Investments
| Investment Options | Requirements | Residency Time Required Before Citizenship Eligibility |
|---|---|---|
| Main Investment | Minimum of €650,000 in a government fund or investment in government-approved instruments and a property purchase or lease of at least €350,000. | 3 years of residency |
| Additional Investment for Family Members | Minimum investment of €25,000 per family member. | 3 years of residency |
| Additional Residential Investment | Property purchase or lease of at least €350,000. | 3 years of residency |
| Additional Philanthropic Donations | Minimum of €2,000,000 donation to a Maltese registered philanthropic, cultural, scientific, animal welfare, or artistic non-governmental organization. | 3 years of residency |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Investment for MPRP | €100,000, with specific investment and charitable donation requirements. | At least 5 years of residency |
| Note: A minimum investment of €750,000 will enable you to obtain a Malta passport after one year under the Malta Citizenship by Investment program. |
Eligibility requirements:
To be eligible for a Malta Golden visa, you must be:
- At least 18 years old
- Have a clear criminal background
- Not face a criminal investigation or international sanctions
- You must also agree to support your family members included in your application
Case studies and success stories:
Reading case studies or success stories from individuals who have been through the Malta Golden visa program can provide valuable insights into the application process and the benefits of obtaining Maltese citizenship.
Risks and mitigations:
Knowing the risks involved in the application process, like rejection, scams, or fraudulent activities, is crucial. You should consult with a reputable professional and review official government websites to ensure the most accurate and up-to-date information before applying.
Reasons for rejecting applications:
The reasons for rejecting a Malta Golden visa application include:
- Previous denial of a Maltese citizenship application
- Charges or convictions related to terrorism
- Money laundering, crimes against humanity, war crimes
- Also paedophilia, rape, violent assault, human trafficking, or abduction
- A longer prison sentence of more than one year
- The applicant or one of their relatives is under investigation.
- The application or its family members are suspected of a crime punishable by more than one year in prison. This is at the time of application.
- Maltese authorities suspect that the funds used to apply for the Golden visa were obtained illegally
Documentation
In order to apply for a Malta Golden visa, you must submit the following documents:
Your passport.
- Passports of all family members are required
- A covering letter
- Evidence that you possess sufficient funds for the investment
- Proof that your funds were obtained legally
- Bank statements from your country of origin
- Evidence that due diligence has been conducted
- Documents establishing family relationships, including:
- Marriage certificate
- Birth certificate
- Divorce certificate (if applicable)
- Custody documents (if applicable)
- Documents proving financial dependence (for adult children, parents, or grandparents)
- Police certificates confirming no criminal background
- Biometric data for yourself and all applicants over 12
- Medical reports for you and your family, verifying that you do not have any communicable disease that could pose a public health hazard in Malta.