Identity Malta Increased Visa Fees for Certain Countries to Improve Process

Identity Malta, the agency responsible for immigration services in Malta, has announced that workers from India, Nepal, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka will now have to pay an increased fee of up to €400 for a visa. The price hike is aimed at enhancing the visa vetting process and reducing the backlog of applications. Previously, workers from these countries had to pay €100 for a standard procedure and €300 for a fast service, but now they will have to pay €200 for the basic service or €400 for the fast-track procedure.

Mark Mallia, the CEO of Identity Malta, has stated that the increase in price is necessary to improve the visa application process and ensure that applicants do not have to wait for extended periods. He has also highlighted that the agency will conduct more rigorous background checks to ensure the country’s security.

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C-visas, which are for short-term trips such as holidays or business trips, will still be handled by embassies. However, Identity Malta will gradually take over responsibility for D-visas that focus on longer-term stays.

Applicants must still go through VFS Global, a business subcontracted by the Maltese government to collect visa paperwork. However, more centers will open to ensure that applicants have VFS centers close by.

The increase in fees will also affect students from across the world. A standard visa fee for students will now cost €100, up from the previous €70. The extended student visa, which fast-tracks student visas, will cost €150.

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Mallia has guaranteed a visa appointment within eight weeks for the fast-track process, labeled the “Extended D-Visa.” However, the backlog clears, and the waiting time will reduce to three weeks. A standard visa procedure will continue to be handled by the foreign affairs ministry for the time being, and Identity Malta will soon begin handling standard visa procedures as well.

According to Finance Minister Clyde Caruana, as of October last year, more than 9,500 Indian nationals and more than 5,000 people from Nepal were living and working in Malta. The CEO of Identity Malta has stated that the agency would now have full control over visa appointments to prevent “middlemen” from charging thousands of euros to move VFS appointments forward. The 4 Southeast Asian countries will be at the forefront of the shift because they have the largest backlog of applications.