Visa Guidance for BSC Malta

Passport holders of the following countries are considered part of the free movement Schengen Area – Germany, Austria, Belgium, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland.

If you hold a Schengen area passport and you will be staying for less than 90 days in Malta, you are not required to secure a Visa as you are entitled to free movement within the Schengen area.

If you hold a Schengen area passport and you will be staying for more than 90 days, then it is recommended that you apply for a Resident Visa.

Yes, you must ensure you have a valid visa before you travel to Malta for your studies.

If you will be studying at BSC Malta and you will be staying for less than 90 days in Malta, then it is recommended you should have secured a Schengen Short-Stay Visa.

If you will be studying at BSC Malta and you will be staying for less than 90 days in Malta, then it is recommended you should secure a Student Visa.

The main difference between a standard and extended student visa for Malta is the urgency of your timeline. When applying for a Standard Student Visa, the earliest appointment slot is 21 days after booking, whereas the Extended service allows next-day appointments where possible, subject to availability.

For a Short Stay Visa, you should submit your application at least 15 days before your journey and no earlier than 6 months beforehand.

For a Standard Student Visa, the earliest appointment slot is 21 days after booking so we recommend applying 3 months before arriving in Malta. If you need your visa quickly, then we recommend choosing the extended (express) service.

For a Residence Permit, you should apply within 31 days of arriving in Malta.

Excluding any service or courier fees, which can depend on where you are from, see below visa costs;

• A Schengen Short Stay Visa usually costs €90
• A Standard Student Visa costs €100
• An Extended (Express) student visa costs €150

If you need your visa quickly, then we recommend choosing the extended (express) service.

You should find the nearest Maltese embassy or consulate in your country and contact them to book an appointment. You must submit your application to the consulate at least 15 days before your intended journey and no earlier than 6 months beforehand.

Visas are managed by the Central Visa Unit. You can apply for an appointment at your closest site via the Identita website https://identita.gov.mt/central-visa-unit-visa-extended-service-branches/. After selecting your site and going through to the VFS Global website, you will need to create an account.

Check https://identita.gov.mt/ for up-to-date advice for all students travelling to learn to Malta for study purposes.

Check 05.-List-of-Required-Documents-Student_National_Visa.pdf (gov.mt) to ensure you know what documents will be required, before you begin your application.

Students who have applied for the International Foundation Year (IFY) programme will need to have an academic interview with a member of the IFY Admissions team.

All students from outside of the Schengen Area will require the following documents to apply for a Student Visa for Malta: https://identita.gov.mt/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/05.-List-of-Required-Documents-Student_National_Visa.pdf

We highly recommend that you start to gather documents required by the Malta government in advance of your interview. BSC Education will also require documents requested by the Malta government.

You will be sent an offer letter by BSC Education, listing whether your offer is conditional or unconditional. You will need this letter in order to apply for a study visa.

If you are travelling from outside of the Schengen Area, you will also need:

*flight ticket to Malta, arriving at least two days before the start of your course.

• Evidence of accommodation for at least the first 14 days of your day in Malta. BSC Education can provide support with accommodation.
• Travel insurance covering studying in Malta. BSC can provide support with applying for insurance.
• A bank statement covering the last three months, demonstrating that you have sufficient financial support. Students supported by a family member will also need to provide a sponsor declaration form.

Please check https://identita.gov.mt/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/05.-List-of-Required-Documents-Student_National_Visa.pdf for a comprehensive list of required documents.

Before you collect your bags, you will need to go through Malta Immigration.

You might be asked questions about why you have travelled to Malta. You should take travel documentation with your hand luggage.

You must print a copy of:

• your accommodation details
• your offer letter from BSC Malta, including the college contact details
• your course overview document
• a printed bank statement to show that you have the equivalent of 6,500 Euros if you have not paid in full for accommodation.

Be prepared to answer questions about:

• the course you are going to study, including the name of your course, the number of weeks you will study for, why you are studying this course and what you hope to do after your course.
• your accommodation: where you are going to stay while you study.
• how you will financially support yourself while you study. This should not include working while you study.

After Immigration has allowed you to enter the country, you will collect your baggage from baggage reclaim and then exit via a Customs channel. For those travelling within the Schengen Area, you will exit through the Blue Customs channel.

For those travelling from a non-Schengen Area, you will need to exit through either the Red Channel (if you have something you need to declare or have any questions about Customs) or Green Channel (if you have nothing you need to declare). For advice on your Customs allowance when entering Malta, you can check the website Customs – Malta International Airport – Malta International Airport (maltairport.com).

You have the right to reside and study in Malta for one academic year. A Student Visa holder can apply for an Employment Licence (issued by JobsPlus) to work for up to 20 hours per week provided they have an employment offer from an employer in Malta. It is important to note that any employment must not interfere with your studies, and all BSC classes and homework are mandatory.

If you are staying in Malta to study with BSC for longer than 90 days, it is recommended that you apply for a Residence Permit, regardless of whether you are from the Schengen Area or not.

You can apply for a Residence Permit via Identity Malta Agency, after you have arrived in Malta. The processing time for a temporary residence permit in Malta is three months from the day you submit your application so it should be applied for at your earliest opportunity.

If you receive a residence permit, your family members can apply for a Malta family visa for the purpose of the reunion and can stay in Malta for as long as you stay there. Eligible family members include only your spouse and minor children. You must be able to financially support your family members as well. You are entitled to free healthcare services in emergencies. If you are not part of the Schengen Area, you will be able to travel visa-free around the Schengen Area for the duration of your Residence in Malta.

Please get in touch with our friendly Admissions team if you have any questions or concerns: admissions@bsc-education.com