Visa and work permits

Malta

It has a total area of 316sq km and is just south of Sicily ( Italy ).

Getting to Malta is easy with major airlines servicing the country. Malta is part of the Schengen and as such ease of movement within this Schengen area is free moving. Malta joined the Euro in January 2008.

To work in Malta, you are required to have secured an employment licence. Even EEC national need employment licences to work in Malta , a concession that was granted to Malta on joining the EEC during the transition period up to the year 2011. However it would be highly unlightly for an employment licence to be refused to an EU or Swiss national

Setting up Business in Malta for both EU and Non EU nationals

To set up a business is relatively straight forward. Once you decide on the company name, you can reserve that name with the Registry of Companies for a small charge and this will be available normally to you for a period of three months. . However the name must be approved by the registry of companies, before reservation is allowed

The Memorandum and Articles is drafted outlining the objects of the company and naming the intended first directors, shareholders and company secretary. Corporate directors are allowed, but the company secretary must be an individual, although need not be resident in Malta

NON EEC / EEA Nationals visa and work permits

The work permit section is governed by the Employment and Training Corporation ( ETC ) As stated previously, every national from the EEC/EEA/ and Swiss nationals needs a work permit or employment licence even to work for one day. These are usually issued for one year.

However, for NON nationals of the above, self employment is the only option. One of the conditions below need to be satisfied to work as self employed eg director of a company that has just been set up.

A Investors intending to establish a business in Malta in which they invest at least 100,000 Euros without an EEC national as a partner, or a shareholding equivalent to 40,000 Euros with an EEC national as a partner

B Highly skilled innovators ( who would qualify under the highly skilled route ) with a sound business plan, who commit to recruiting three Maltese/EEC nationals within a period of eighteen months of establishment, and at any time in the future, no less than three Maltese/EEC nationals for every non EEC national

C Sole representative of an established overseas company that wishes to establish a branch in Malta.The foreign company must have been established for at least three years and must provide with its application various accompanying documentation including,

1. The business case for seeking to place a representative in Malta
2. The business plan or last audited report
3. The last Audited Accounts
4. Company details including details of their operating premises
5. Organigram
6. Number of staff and their positions

There is an excellent quality of life here, with all the advantages of a modern European society and developed infra structure., whilst at the same time retaining an easy pace and relaxed way of life

We at Royal Company Formations would be delighted to assist you in your work permit or visa application if required