Skip to content
4 ways to enter

Malta visas

Malta student visa

Study visits may use a short-stay visa or a long-stay route. Some organised school groups can enter Malta without a visa.

Ways to get a Malta student visa

  1. Visa-free school group from the EU single market

    No visa needed

    Pupils who are not EU single market citizens but legally live there can qualify when travelling in a general education school group with a teacher.

    Stay
    A short stay or transit.
    1. Travel as part of a general education school group accompanied by a teacher.
    2. Have the teacher carry a List of Travellers form identifying the pupils and explaining the trip.
    3. Carry a valid travel document unless the endorsed form meets the replacement conditions.

  2. Visa-free school group from a visa-waiver country

    No visa needed

    Pupils who live in a listed visa-waiver country or territory but hold a nationality that normally needs a visa can enter Malta on a school excursion with a teacher.

  3. Schengen short-stay visa for study

    Visa needed

    Travellers who need a visa for a short study or educational training visit can apply.

    Stay
    Up to 90 days in any 180-day period.
    Entries
    One, two or multiple entries.
    Fee
    No visa application fee for study, educational training or scientific research.
    Processing
    15 calendar days for an admissible application with no issues; delays can occur.
    1. Apply to the embassy or consulate responsible for your main Schengen destination, no earlier than six months before entry.
    2. Submit the relevant supporting documents.
    3. Attend in person for a first application and provide biometrics if required.

  4. Long-stay study visa or residence permit

    Other permit

    Non-EU single market citizens generally need this route for study stays over 90 days.

    Stay
    More than 90 days; generally a long-stay visa for less than a year or a residence permit for longer periods.

Who needs it

Students who are not exempt need the relevant visa. Non-EU single market citizens generally need a long-stay visa or residence permit for stays over 90 days.

Who doesn't

Certain school pupils travelling with a teacher qualify for visa-free entry. Eligible EU single market citizens have freedom of movement.

How to apply

  1. Check whether your school group qualifies for a visa exemption.
  2. For a short-stay visa, apply through the embassy or consulate responsible for your main destination no earlier than six months before entry.
  3. Attend in person for a first visa application and provide biometrics if required.
  4. Submit the supporting documents even if your visa application fee is waived.

What to bring

  • A valid travel document, unless a qualifying school-group document replaces it.
  • Relevant supporting documents for study or educational training.
  • A List of Travellers form for the school-group exemption where required.

Good to know

  • School-group exemptions require travel with a teacher from the school.
  • Long-stay procedures and residence permit conditions depend on national rules.
  • A visa fee waiver does not remove the requirement to apply or provide supporting documents.
  • Detailed Malta long-stay study requirements are not specified.

Questions

Do I need a student visa for Malta?

Students who are not exempt need the relevant visa. Non-EU single market citizens generally need a long-stay visa or residence permit for stays over 90 days. Certain school pupils travelling with a teacher qualify for visa-free entry. Eligible EU single market citizens have freedom of movement.

What are the ways to get a student visa for Malta?

There are 4 options: Visa-free school group from the EU single market (no visa at all); Visa-free school group from a visa-waiver country (no visa at all); Schengen short-stay visa for study (a visa from an embassy); Long-stay study visa or residence permit (a special permit).

Who can go to Malta without a student visa?

Pupils who are not EU single market citizens but legally live there can qualify when travelling in a general education school group with a teacher. Pupils who live in a listed visa-waiver country or territory but hold a nationality that normally needs a visa can enter Malta on a school excursion with a teacher.

How long can I stay on a Malta student visa?

Short stays: up to 90 days in any 180-day period. Longer study generally needs a long-stay visa or residence permit.

How much does a Malta student visa cost?

Schengen visa application fees are waived for study, educational training and scientific research.

How long does a Malta student visa take?

For a short-stay visa: 15 calendar days for an admissible application with no issues; delays can occur.

What documents do I need for a Malta student visa?

A valid travel document, unless a qualifying school-group document replaces it.; Relevant supporting documents for study or educational training.; A List of Travellers form for the school-group exemption where required..

How do I apply for a Malta student visa?

1. 1. Check whether your school group qualifies for a visa exemption. 2. 2. For a short-stay visa, apply through the embassy or consulate responsible for your main destination no earlier than six months before entry. 3. 3. Attend in person for a first visa application and provide biometrics if required. 4. 4. Submit the supporting documents even if your visa application fee is waived.

What rules do I have to follow on a Malta student visa?

School-group exemptions require travel with a teacher from the school. Long-stay procedures and residence permit conditions depend on national rules.

Does my passport change whether I need a student visa for Malta?

Yes. Rules depend on the country that issued your passport. Open the Malta visa page and choose your passport for a plain answer.

Reviewed by