Key Employee Initiative Malta - KEI

Malta Work Permit in only 5 days

Dr. Antoine Saliba Haig | 09 Mar 2022

malta key employee initiatives

Malta’s Key Employee Initiative (KEI) aims at facilitating the issuance of a residence permit for highly specialised Third Country Nationals seeking employment in Malta under the single permit procedure.

The initiative was introduced for applicants with managerial or highly technical posts which require specific qualifications or adequate experience in relation to the employment being applied for. This programme facilitates the fast-track acquisition of residence and work permits, enabling employers in Malta to employ non-EU individuals with various expertise as quickly as possible. Such scheme is also open to innovators involved in start-up projects endorsed by Malta Enterprise.

Key Employee Initiative Malta - Eligibility

Prospective KEI applicants must satisfy the following conditions:

  • Receive an annual gross salary of at least €30,000 per annum.
  • Provide certified copies of the available qualifications, warrants or the necessary work experience.
  • Submit a declaration by the prospective employer stating that the applicant has the necessary credentials to perform the duties being assigned.
  • If the applicant is present in Malta, he must have legal authorisation to await the outcome of the application.

Malta Key Employee Initiative Malta - Benefits

  • The KEI is deemed to be a fast-track version of the standard single work permit application with applications being approved in just five days.
  • Applications can be submitted online without the applicant being present in Malta
  • Approved applicants are issued with a residence permit valid for 1 year which can be renewed for a maximum period of 3 years subject to the presentation of a valid definite or indefinite contract and an original annual tax declaration form stamped by the Inland Revenue Department.
  • Visa-free travel within the 26 Schengen Area Countries by virtue of the Maltese residence card
  • Key Employee Initiative Malta - Processing time
  • Prospective employees may expect to receive the permit within 5 working days from the date of submission of the application.


The applicant must submit a covering letter issued and stamped by the employer explaining why the position is necessary and confirming that the applicant has the necessary credentials to perform the assigned duties.

How can we help?

We offer a personalised service focused on adding value, where our immigration lawyers provide advice covering the rules applicable to immigrating to Malta under the Key Employee Initiative and other available residence schemes.

 


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