VISA ADVICE FOR MALTESE NATIONALS NOTIFICATION FROM THE MINISTRY FOR FOREIGN AND EUROPEAN AFFAIRS LAST UPDATE: 01 October 2021 Please note that in view of the Covid pandemic- not all countries are open for travel. There are also Maltese Legal Notices concerning Travel Bans whereby Maltese nationals and persons residing in Malta may require special authorisation from Maltese Health Authorities in order to travel (https://deputyprimeminister.gov.mt/en/health- promotion/covid-19/Pages/travel.aspx ) In specific cases, the rules concerning visas have changed or been suspended. Therefore, please do contact our Visa Advisory Unit on 22042331 or 22042313 or write an e-mail to [email protected] to double check directly whether the positions outlined below still apply or otherwise. The list below reflects the position under ‘normal’ (non-covid) circumstances. Disclaimer: The Ministry for Foreign and European Affairs is not responsible for the issuing of visas to Maltese nationals by foreign states. Visa requirements for Maltese nationals going abroad are invariably subject to changes by host countries. The Ministry for Foreign and European Affairs through its Visa Advisory Unit endeavours to provide information available to it at the time of submission of the query. The information related to visa requirements contained in this document is only indicative, and is issued to assist Maltese passport holders. The Ministry shall not be held responsible for any variance in the information provided. The applicant may wish to double-check requirements independently of this service. It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure that enquiries are submitted well in advance of the planned date of departure. Information should be double-checked closer to the date of departure prior to travelling to countries that ordinarily do not require a visa for Maltese passport holders. Maltese Public Officers travelling abroad on official duty should always contact the Ministry’s Visa Advisory Unit within the Consular Services and Maltese Living Abroad Directorate at least 3 to 4 weeks prior to planned departure since visa requirements for official duty may vary from visa requirements for leisurely or business visits regardless of the list below. A. General Information on visa free entry • All travellers usually need a passport valid for at least 90 days following their departure date from countries, although this requirement may vary. It is strongly recommended to travel with a 6 month-validity passport at all times. • Most destinations require at least 2 free pages in any one passport, allowing for any necessary stamps upon arrival and departure. • In accordance with European Union (EU) Legislation, all minors who are nationals of Malta are expected to hold their own passport or National ID Card (where applicable) when departing from an EU Schengen state. It is the traveller’s duty to always confirm if a transit visa is required for any connections. It may be the case that countries en-route to another destination require a separate transit visa. Countries not visible in the list below generally require a visa. Maltese nationals may wish to send an e-mail to [email protected] or phone Visa Advisory Unit on 2204 2313 or 22042331 to enquire about their position. B. Table I (List of No Visa requirements for Ordinary Maltese passport holders subject to certain conditions being fulfilled). • The following table shows a list of countries allowing visa-free entry to Maltese ordinary passport holders visiting for tourism purposes, subject to certain conditions. Max. Max. Max. duration duration of duration of of visa- visa-free visa-free Country free stay: stay: Less stay: Less Online Link(s) Important Conditions Less than than or than or or equal equal to 90 equal to to 30 Days Days 180 Days ✓ The visa policy is the same as for Cyprus, which follows the visa policy of the Schengen Area. However, stays of (Stays longer than 28 days per 12-month period require a longer Akrotiri and permit. The territory has open borders with Cyprus, but than 28 Dhekelia maintains border checks with Northern Cyprus. A days in any (British passport is required. 12 month overseas period territories) https://sbaadministration.org/home/legislation/01_02_09_04_IN require a CON/C/20160503_Control-EntrySettlementCommEnterprises- permit.) Ordinance-1960.pdf http://www.ambasadat.gov.al/ ✓ italy/it/contact) Always carry with you proof of sufficient funds and proof (90 days in of return flight booking to prove intended duration of Albania https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal- any 180-day stay. Information as to accommodation may also be content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:2 period) 2007A1219(05)&from=EN requested. Max. Max. Max. duration duration of duration of of visa- visa-free visa-free Country free stay: stay: Less stay: Less Online Link(s) Important Conditions Less than than or than or or equal equal to 90 equal to to 30 Days Days 180 Days Always carry with you proof of sufficient funds and proof http://www.exteriors.ad/en/tr of return flight booking to prove intended duration of Andorra ✓ avel-to-andorra stay. Information as to accommodation may also be requested. A maximum visa-free stay of 3 months is granted to holders of EU passports such as a Maltese ordinary passport. Moreover, holders of a valid visa or residence Anguilla ✓ permit from the United States, Canada or the United Kingdom and holders of diplomatic passports do not require a visa. Citizens of the European Union may stay in the territory of Antigua and Barbuda for a maximum period of three months https://antigua- during a six months period following the date of first entry barbuda.com/visas into the territory of the country. Antigua and ✓ Barbuda Source:http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal- content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:22009A0630%2801% 29&rid=1 Aruba (a constituent country of the ✓ Kingdom of the Netherlands) Max. Max. Max. duration duration of duration of of visa- visa-free visa-free Country free stay: stay: Less stay: Less Online Link(s) Important Conditions Less than than or than or or equal equal to 90 equal to to 30 Days Days 180 Days Maltese nationals visiting Argentina for Tourism purposes also have the option of extending their stay for ✓ another three months. The procedure is visible on Argentina Stamp upon arrival. https://www.argentina.gob.ar/ http://www.migraciones.gov.ar/accesible/indexA.php?c interior/migraciones ategorias Always carry with you proof of sufficient funds and proof ✓ http://www.mfa.am/en/visa/ of return flight booking to prove intended duration of (90 days in https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal- Armenia any 180-day content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:2 stay. Information as to accommodation may also be period) 2013A1031(01)&from=EN requested. Maltese nationals are allowed to enter and reside in Austria without requiring a visa. For stays of shorter or longer than 90 days, registrations may need to be made according to the law of the country before the expiration of the 90 days. Carrying a Maltese valid Identity Card or ✓ https://www.bmeia.gv.at/it/ro an ordinary passport valid for the duration of your (90 days in Austria intended stay is sufficient as immigration police still any 180-day ma/viaggi-in-austria/ have a right to request proof that you enjoy Schengen period) area rights, whilst should there be legal border checks, then you will still require such a document. Flight service providers will also require proof of identity. Given that no outward flight booking is required to be shown by EU and Schengen area nationals when entering, it is Max. Max. Max. duration duration of duration of of visa- visa-free visa-free Country free stay: stay: Less stay: Less Online Link(s) Important Conditions Less than than or than or or equal equal to 90 equal to to 30 Days Days 180 Days suggested that in the absence of such outward flight booking, the passport or ID card be valid for at least 90 days beyond the date of entry into the country. Please search for any obligation for registering your presence or other formalities, as EU national when visiting this EU State. https://europa.eu/youreurope/citizens/residence/docu ments-formalities/registering-residence/index_en.htm If you move into an apartment or a house in Austria, you must register with the competent registration authority within three days of moving in. Failing to register is an offence. For more information about Registering, please visit:- https://www.help.gv.at/Portal.Node/hlpd/public/conten t/118/Seite.11802001.html Maltese nationals usually require an Electronic Travel ✓ https://immi.homeaffairs.gov. Authorisation (ETA – Subclass 601) prior to travelling to (Some au/ Australia for tourism or business purposes for stays of Australia conditions and extra less than 90 days. This ETA is not a visa, but an obligatory procedures application which informs Australia’s Department for apply) Immigration and Border Protection of one’s arrival prior Max. Max. Max. duration duration of duration of of visa- visa-free visa-free Country free stay: stay: Less stay: Less Online Link(s) Important Conditions Less than than or than or or equal equal to 90 equal to to 30 Days Days 180 Days to boarding the flight. An ETA allows activities such as attending a conference, making business enquiries, or contractual negotiations, however, it is not a work visa. The link to an ETA (subclass 601) application, may not be currently open to Maltese passport holders for technical reasons given that the web-link of the Australian Immigration authority may be limiting the ETA’s use to holders of passports from Brunei, Canada, Hong Kong, Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, South Korea, and the U.S.A.:- https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a- visa/visa-listing/electronic-travel-authority-601 For this reason, it is currently being suggested by the Australian High Commission that Maltese passport holders make use of other options for short stays of less than 90 days, such as the E-Visitor Visa (Sub-class 651) which allows you to visit Australia as often as you wish in a 12-month period, with a stay of up to 3 months each time you enter Australia.