Malta student visa guide

For a course longer than 90 days, Nigerian students first apply for a National Long Stay (D) visa through Identita's Central Visa Unit, booking an appointment with its authorised external service provider, VFS Global. After arriving in Malta, students on a full-time course at MQF level 5 or above, at an institution licensed by the Malta Further and Higher Education Authority (MFHEA), apply online to Identita's Expatriates Unit for a student residence permit. You need proof of tuition payment, proof of funds, insurance, accommodation and, once in Malta, a health screening.

Use the guide below as a planning reference, then check the official source before you pay anything or submit an application.

Tips from experience

• Apply at least 9 weeks before your course starts, and no more than six months before.
• Ask your school to include every item from the Central Visa Unit list in the enrolment letter before you book.
• Choose a course at MQF level 5 or above if you want to work part time and use the nine month post-study stay.
• Keep enough money in your account for the whole period, not just on the day the statement is printed.
• Buy insurance that covers both the visa (EUR 30,000 Schengen cover) and, if needed, the residence permit (EUR 100,000).
• Treat all fee and funds figures as indicative and check identita.gov.mt and the VFS Malta page before you pay.

Documents most applicants need are marked required. Others depend on your case or on what the office asks for. Build a printable checklist.

• Signed long stay (D) visa application form Required

• Valid passport Required

  The Central Visa Unit asks for at least 10 months validity.

• One passport photo Required

  To ICAO standards.

• VFS appointment letter Required

• School enrolment letter with proof of tuition payment Required

  Must show MFHEA registered name, course, MQF level, ECTS, duration, hours and a receipt or invoice.

• Bank statements for the last 3 months and a recent bank certificate Required

  Showing at least 75% of the national minimum wage for each month of study.

• Copy of your international bank card Required

  Front and back, the card you will use to access funds in Malta.

• Medical and travel insurance Required

  Valid for Schengen, at least EUR 30,000 cover, valid for study and for at least 91 days from entry for MQF level 5 and above students.

• Flight itinerary Required

  Arrival no more than two weeks before the course starts.

• Proof of accommodation for the first 14 nights Required

  School letter, registered lease, host declaration or booking in your name.

• Sponsor documents If asked

  Sponsor's 3 months of statements, signed declaration and ID copy, if someone else pays.

• Minor's documents If asked

  Legalised birth certificate, parents' passports and consent letter, if under 18.

• Health insurance of at least EUR 100,000 for the residence permit If asked

  Needed in Malta unless you study at the University of Malta, MCAST or ITS.

• Registered lease and attestation form for the residence permit If asked

  Needed in Malta unless you live in school accommodation.

Indicative government fees only. School fees, translations, tests, courier and service charges are extra.

Living funds

€746 a month for 12 months (€8,952)

Basis

For the D visa, the Central Visa Unit asks for bank statements for the last 3 months and a recent bank certificate showing at least 75% of Malta's national minimum wage for every month of study. For the residence permit, Identita asks for funds of at least 60% of the national equivalised income threshold (set by the National Statistics Office) for the year, or pro rata for shorter courses.

Tuition included

No, add your first year tuition

The monthly figure is our calculation, not a figure Identita publishes: 75% of the 2026 national minimum wage of EUR 229.44 a week (L.N. 289 of 2025), converted to a monthly amount. The minimum wage changes every January and the residence permit uses a different threshold, so confirm the amount with Identita before you apply. Tuition is separate: the enrolment letter must show proof of payment. If someone else funds you, add their bank statements for the last 3 months, a signed sponsor declaration and a copy of their ID or passport. You must also show you can access the money in Malta with an international bank card.

Typical decision time

Identita's visa FAQ says the D visa process may take up to 8 weeks from the VFS appointment, and VFS advises a minimum of 6 to 8 weeks. Identita says the residence permit decision typically takes a few weeks after you apply in Malta.

How early you can apply

Identita says a student visa application can be lodged no more than six months before the course start date.

Latest sensible time to apply

The current Central Visa Unit checklist says the application must be submitted at least 9 weeks before the course starts. Older Identita FAQ text says 8 weeks, so aim for 9 weeks or more.

1. 1

   Get admitted to a licensed course

   Get an offer for a full-time course from an institution licensed by MFHEA. To work and to qualify for the residence permit and the post-study stay, the course should lead to a qualification at MQF level 5 or above.

2. 2

   Pay tuition and get your enrolment letter

   Pay your tuition and ask for an enrolment letter that shows the institution name, full course name, MQF level, ECTS, course length, holidays, weekly contact hours, lecture address and proof of payment. The Central Visa Unit checks all of these.

3. 3

   Prepare funds, insurance and accommodation

   Get 3 months of bank statements and a recent bank certificate showing the required funds, Schengen insurance of at least EUR 30,000 that covers study, and proof of accommodation for at least your first 14 nights.

4. 4

   Book a VFS appointment and pay the visa fee

   Book through the VFS Global Malta service for Nigeria and pay the visa fee by card when booking. VFS processes the application for Identita's Central Visa Unit. Check the VFS page for the current centre locations before you book.

5. 5

   Attend your appointment

   Bring your signed application form, passport valid for at least 10 months, photo, all documents and the VFS service fee. Incomplete or unsigned applications are not accepted.

6. 6

   Wait for the decision

   Allow up to 8 weeks. Official messages come by email, so make sure your email address is correct. Do not book a flight that you cannot change until the visa is issued.

7. 7

   Travel and complete health screening

   Enter Malta within the dates on your visa. Courses longer than three months need a health screening by the Infectious Disease Prevention and Control Unit before the residence permit is approved.

8. 8

   Apply for the student residence permit

   Apply online through the Identita Expatriates Unit portal, pay the fee and attend the biometrics appointment with the original documents, including your registered lease and EUR 100,000 health insurance unless you study at the University of Malta, MCAST or ITS.

Work and post study rules change often. Confirm them on the official source before you plan around them.

• The enrolment letter is missing details the Central Visa Unit lists, such as MQF level, ECTS, weekly hours or proof of tuition payment.
• Bank statements do not cover the last 3 months or the balance is below the required amount for the length of study.
• The insurance does not meet the minimum cover, is not valid for study or does not cover the required period.
• Funds come from a sponsor without the sponsor statements, signed declaration and ID copy.
• The application was submitted too close to the course start date or was incomplete at the appointment.
• Documents were not in English or were translated by someone not on Identita's approved list.

Refused before? Read what to do after a visa refusal.