Overview of an Application Process

Preliminary Steps

Preliminary due diligence conducted by the Licenced Agents is the first step in the process to apply for the permanent residency in Malta under the MPRP. This is an initial process check on the applicant to assess if the applicant meets the requirements set by Residency Malta Agency. This reduces the risk of application rejection.

After passing this Preliminary Due Diligence, the Licensed Agent will move to the next step of the application with more confidence. This initial check will be to the Applicant’s benefit to increases the chances of approval by solving any possible issues that may be identified during this preliminary due diligence step.

It is to be pointed out that the Residency Malta Agency would still need to carry its own enhanced due-diligence process that would possibly leads to a stage of “Letter of Approval in Principle” (LAP) or potential “Rejection”. Due diligence phase is essential and crucial in ensuring that the MPRP process is both secured and trustworthy. This thorough process ensures that only qualified and reputable individuals get the permanent residency approval in Malta.

Formal Application Stage

The formal application process aiming to successfully obtaining the permanent Malta residency permit under the MPRP is detailed and requires careful preparation of the data and information which is required to be submitted. This is perhaps the next most important step after the preliminary due diligence as explained earlier. This stage requires the collecting of all the necessary documents to be able to submit a complete and accurate application. Depending on the applicant, the information submitted, the level of completeness and accuracy of documents and other data provided, will determine the efficiency of the completion of this process by the RMA. ,This is the most delicate and time-consuming phase of the entire process. This stage usually takes a few months and involves key tasks that applicant needs to prepare to ensure avoiding unnecessary delays.

Collecting documents is crucial. The Applicant must provide the Agent, for review and onward submission to the ‘Residency Malta Agency’ all the necessary information to check if the applicant qualifies for the MPRP. Proper documentation must be collected at the application stage in a complete and accurate manner, thus reducing the chances of delays or rejection due to missing or incorrect information.

This step involves gathering personal and financial documents, translating these into English, and certifying them to meet the Agency’s standards prior to the application submission.

As Licensed Agent, we are obliged to help and guide the applicant in the forms’ completion. This requires careful attention to detail to make sure all information is accurate and complete. Errors or omissions in the forms can cause delays or even rejection of the application.

Formal Approval Stages of MPRP

Following the formal application submission as per above, and following a thorough checks and analysis of the Due Diligence process by “Residency Malta Agency” (RMA), RMA will either reject the application or Approve it “in Principle”. In the latter instance, RMA will issue a “Letter of Approval in Principle” (LAP) whereby it will then request certain execution of further obligations by the applicant.

After meeting all the application and investment / other requirements of the MPRP process, including leasing or purchasing a qualified property in Malta, the payment of a contribution to the Government of Malta, etc (in accordance with the LAP), the final approval stage will be completed and the Beneficiaries of the Residency per application would be required to attend to the biometrics capturing per the MPRP programme.

This means the main applicants and their dependents (if any), would be asked to travel to Malta to have their biometric data taken by the Residency Malta Agency, which is essential to verify the identity and do the final stages prior issuing of the residence cards.

Timeline to completion

The Malta Permanent Residency Programme offers a clear and structured pathway for individuals seeking permanent residency in Malta. Following the receipt of the Approval in Principle Letter, the main applicant will be granted a short period of months to finalise all obligations under the MPRP programme, which includes:

• Settling remaining Application fees
• Purchasing or leasing a qualifying property in Malta
• Paying the amount of Contribution to the Government of Malta
• Donating to an approved / registered NGO
• Be in possession of a Health Insurance Policy to cover all the beneficiaries
• Visit Malta to complete the process which entails, the taking of Biometric data (finger print, photo and signature) at Residency Malta Agency’s office

Once the details in Step 1 to Step 4 are complete, and all supporting proof of execution of all obligation are provided and verified by Residency Malta Agency, the Main applicant will be issued the a Letter of Final Approval along with Permanent Residence Certificate. The Malta Residency Card will only be issued once all 4 steps mentioned herein are completed.

It is normally expected that, provided all information is complete and accurate, and response to any query is efficiently addressed by the Applicant, a timeline of about 6 to 8 months from date of submitting a complete Application Form is required to finish the entire MPRP process.