Long-stay visas (Type D)
Maltese Key Employee Initiative (KEI)
A fast-track Single Permit route for highly skilled managerial or technical staff, with applications processed in around five working days.
Under review — check current rules
Important information
- Issuing authority
- Identità (Expatriates Unit)
- Minimum gross salary
- At least €45,000 per year
- KEI threshold; verify the current figure with Identità
- Processing target
- About 5 working days from submission
- Related route
- Specialist Employee Initiative (SEI)
- Minimum salary from around €30,000; processing target about 15 working days
Who it's for
Non-EU nationals offered a managerial or highly technical position in Malta requiring specific qualifications or substantial experience, whose employer needs a fast turnaround.
Requirements
- Job offer for a managerial or highly technical role in Malta
- Annual gross salary of at least €45,000 (KEI threshold)
- Certified copies of relevant qualifications or proof of adequate work experience
- Signed contract with a Malta-registered employer
- Valid passport and standard supporting documents
- Health insurance valid in Malta
What you can do
- Obtain a Single Permit on an accelerated timeline
- Live and work in Malta in the approved senior/technical role
- Renew the permit while the qualifying employment continues
- Use the standard family reunification route once eligible
How to apply
The employer submits the application through Identità's Expatriates portal, flagging it under the Key Employee Initiative and attaching certified qualifications or proof of experience and the qualifying contract.
If the applicant is abroad and needs a visa, a national long-stay (Type D) visa is used to travel to Malta after approval, followed by biometrics and card collection.
Documents
- Valid passport / travel document
- Signed employment contract meeting the salary threshold
- Certified copies of qualifications or proof of work experience
- Passport photos
- Health insurance covering Malta
- Proof of accommodation
Frequently asked questions
Identità targets processing of KEI applications within roughly five working days of submission, making it substantially faster than the standard Single Permit route.
Official sources
For the most accurate and up-to-date information, always refer to the official government sources.
Verified against official gov.uk sources · last reviewed 2026-08-21. Information only — not legal advice.
Related Maltese visas
- WORKEMPLOYER-SPONSOREDOVER 6 MONTHSSingle Permit (Work and Residence Permit)Malta's main employer-sponsored permit, letting a non-EU national both live and work in Malta on a single combined authorisation for stays of over six months.View visa details
- WORKHIGHLY QUALIFIEDJOB OFFEREU Blue CardA combined residence-and-work permit for highly qualified non-EU professionals who hold a degree, or equivalent experience, together with a high-salary job offer in Malta.View visa details
- BUSINESSDIGITAL NOMADREMOTE WORKNomad Residence PermitMalta's digital-nomad residence permit for non-EU remote workers who earn above an income threshold while working for employers or clients based outside Malta.View visa details