Key Employment
Initiative In Malta

The Key Employee Initiative offers a faster route to the single permit (for work and residence) application procedure for highly skilled non-EU/EEA/Swiss nationals (also referred to as third-country nationals or TCNs).

The faster route is available to TCNs who have received a firm job offer in Malta for a managerial or highly technical position which requires relevant qualifications and/or adequate experience commensurate with the position. The Key Employee Initiaive application may only be submitted by the employer and the subsequent permit will be specific to the position and employer in question.

The person applying under the Key Employment Initiative must have been offered a position with an annual gross salary of at least €45,000 and must provide all relevant qualification certificates and evidence of relevant experience together with a declaration by the prospective employer confirming that the applicant has all the necessary skills and qualifications for the duties involved in the position. (The revised salary thresholds for the Key Employment Initiative (KEI) have been established. Specifically, the new salary threshold mandates an annual gross salary of no less than €45,000. This revised salary requirement will take effect on August 1, 2025.)

The Key Employee Initiative may also apply to persons involved in a start-up project endorsed by Malta Enterprise.

Approved applicants will be issued with a work and residence permit valid for 1 year, specifically related to the position applied for. However, subsequent renewals may be issued for a longer period (up to 3 years).

The renewal process includes submitting a valid employment contract and evidence that all relevant income tax returns and declarations have been submitted.

Any permission for changes in designation or employer must be applied for and approved before it can be put into effect.

The expected processing time for a completed application with all relevant supporting documentation is between 5 to 10 working days. The applicable fee payable to the authorities for the issue of a 1-year permit is currently €300.

Beginning in August 2025, KEI applicants will be required to present evidence of a two-week advertisement period conducted across appropriate media platforms.