Picture yourself on the captivating island of Malta, beautifully nestled between Sicily and the North African coast in the central Mediterranean. If you dream of visiting or making Malta your new home, you'll need a Malta visa from India. Depending on your travel purpose, there are several visa options. Plus, don't forget travel insurance is necessary for Malta.

Curious about how to get a Malta visa? Dive into this article to discover all the details!

Any individual travelling from India to Malta needs a visa for Malta. They must apply for a Malta visa 3-6 months before the planned journey.

As of now, Malta does not offer a visa facility on arrival. There is also no facility for an electronic visa here. Therefore, visitors need to apply for a visa in advance before planning to visit here.

Yes, travel insurance is mandatory when travelling to Malta. Malta is part of Schengen countries. Hence, to acquire a Schengen visa, you must have valid Travel Insurance.   

A critical requirement when travelling to Malta is that your travel insurance must have a minimum medical coverage of €30,000, with emergency evacuation and repatriation coverage.

1. If travelling to meet a friend or family member staying in Schengen country

• Original signed invitation letter from the family member/friend staying in the Schengen country

• Their address and contact details

• Intended period and duration of stay

• Evidence of legal residence of family/friends visited: copy of passport/national ID card (first and last page if it's an Indian passport) + copy of their residence permit (Inviter in the Schengen country) if applicable.

• Name and passport number of traveller

• Purpose of trip and itinerary of the visit in brief

2. If the application is not submitted by the applicant directly

• Signed authorisation letter for the travel agent or the representative

• Copy of the passport of the person submitting the application

3. If travelling to meet a friend or family member staying in Schengen country

• Original signed invitation letter from the family member/friend staying in the Schengen country

• Their address and contact details

• Intended period and duration of stay

• Evidence of legal residence of family/friends visited: copy of passport/national ID card (first and last page if it's an Indian passport) + copy of their residence permit (Inviter in the Schengen country) if applicable.

• Name and passport number of traveller

• Purpose of trip and itinerary of the visit in brief

4. If the application is not submitted by the applicant directly

• Signed authorisation letter for the travel agent or the representative

• Copy of the passport of the person submitting the application

5. In the case of a retired applicant

• Pension statements for the last three months and

• Proof of regular income generated by ownership of property or business

• Applicant's bank statements for the previous 3 months stamped by the bank (passbook copies are not accepted)

6. If self-employed

Business registration documents and recent bank statements of the business

7. If unemployed

• Applicant's bank statements for the last 3 months stamped by the bank (passbook copies are not accepted)

8. If a student

• Enrollment certificate and a no-objection letter from your school or university

9. Proof of civil status

• If married, a marriage certificate is needed

• If divorced, divorce decree/custody decree is needed

• If travelling with children, the birth certificate of the children must be provided

• If applicable, the death certificate of the spouse should be provided

10. In the case of a retired applicant

• Pension statements for the last three months and

• Proof of regular income generated by ownership of property or business

• Applicant's bank statements for the previous 3 months stamped by the bank (passbook copies are not accepted)

11. If self-employed

• Business registration documents and recent bank statements of the business

12. If unemployed

• Applicant's bank statements for the last 3 months stamped by the bank (passbook copies are not accepted)

13. If a student

• Enrollment certificate and a no-objection letter from your school or university

14. Proof of civil status

• If married, a marriage certificate is needed

• If divorced, divorce decree/custody decree is needed

• If travelling with children, the birth certificate of the children must be provided

• If applicable, the death certificate of the spouse should be provided

Identify the Schengen Country You Want to Visit

Choose the country or countries you wish to visit within the Schengen area and decide which one you will enter first. This is crucial because the visa application process and required documents vary based on each country’s regulations. Once selected, identify the appropriate consulate or embassy for your visa application.

Select the Consulate or Embassy to apply for a Malta Visa

There are three ways to select the consulate:

1. If you plan to travel to multiple Schengen countries, you should apply for a visa at the embassy or consulate of the country you will visit most days. This will be your primary destination. 

2. If there is no specific main destination and you visit multiple countries randomly, you should apply at the embassy or consulate of the first Schengen country you enter.

3. If you want to visit one specific country, apply to that country's consulate/embassy. 

If the country you're visiting doesn't have an embassy or consulate in India or doesn't process visas, you can apply through the Schengen state that represents it for visa matters.

What is the First Port of Entry for a Schengen Visa?

The first port of entry for a Schengen visa is the first Schengen country a foreign visitor enters. Through the first port of entry, you enter the Schengen Area, and from there, you can travel to any other Schengen country using the same visa.

Initiate the Malta Visa Application

To start your Schengen visa application, head to the official website of the application centre or the embassy or consulate website representing the country you plan to visit first in the Schengen Area.

Check If You Need a Schengen Visa

Once you land on the right website, the first thing you should do is check if you need a visa and the particular visa type by providing your nationality, age, leading destination of stay, country of submission of application, etc., in the designated section.

A Malta tourist visa for Indians generally takes about 15 days to process, but it can vary and may take up to 3 weeks, depending on the embassy's workload. To ensure timely processing, applying at least 4 weeks before your travel date is recommended.

• Accurately fill out the visa application form.

• Schedule an appointment at the Malta embassy or consulate in India.

• Double-check your application for errors to avoid delays.

• Check the latest visa requirements and processes on official websites.

• Be cautious of scams related to visa applications; avoid unsolicited offers promising expedited processing or guaranteed approval for a fee.

• Provide proof of sufficient funds for your stay in Malta, such as bank statements, sponsorship letters, or scholarship evidence.

• Gather required documents: valid passport, completed application form, proof of accommodation, and proof of funds.

• Attend the appointment with all documents.

What Happens If My Malta Visa Application Is Rejected?

If your Malta visa application is rejected, you'll get a notification explaining why. Common reasons include incomplete documents, insufficient financial proof, or lack of travel insurance. You can resolve these issues and reapply. You also have the option to appeal within 15 days by submitting additional information or clarifications to the relevant authorities.

How Can I Avoid Getting My Malta Visa Application Rejected?

To avoid a Malta visa application rejection, submit all required documents accurately, provide sufficient financial proof, and have comprehensive travel insurance. Double-check your application for errors, demonstrate strong ties to your home country, and provide a detailed travel itinerary. Addressing these key points can significantly improve your chances of approval.

Can I Extend My Malta Visa While I'm in Malta?

Yes, you can extend your Malta visa while you are already in Malta, but only under specific circumstances and by applying for a residence permit through the Central Visa Unit, which will consider your application on a case-by-case basis, usually requiring compelling reasons like medical treatment or family emergencies; extensions are generally only granted in exceptional situations.