Malta Schengen Visa Requirements from the UK: Complete 2026 Guide

Malta visa applications from the UK follow standard Schengen procedures with specific documentation requirements managed through VFS Global centres. This guide provides complete information about Malta visa requirements, processing procedures, and application timelines for UK residents in 2026.

Who Needs a Malta Schengen Visa from the UK?

British passport holders can travel to Malta visa-free for stays up to 90 days within any 180-day period, as Malta is part of the Schengen Area.

UK residents with non-EU passports require a Malta Schengen visa. This includes:

• Indian, Pakistani, Nigerian, or other non-EU nationals residing in the UK

• International students at UK universities

• UK work visa holders (Skilled Worker, Graduate Route, etc.)

• Spouses or partners of British citizens

• Individuals with UK settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme

UK residence status does not exempt non-EU nationals from Schengen visa requirements. Applications are processed through VFS Global, Malta's visa application centre in the UK.

Malta Visa Requirements: Complete Document Checklist

The Malta Schengen visa application requires the following documents:

1. Valid Passport

Your passport must meet these specifications:

• Valid for at least 3 months beyond your planned return date from Malta

• Issued within the last 10 years

• Contains at least 2 blank pages for visa stamps

• Photocopies of any previous Schengen visas held in the last 3 years

Example: If returning on December 15th, passport validity must extend to at least March 15th of the following year.

2. UK Residence Permit Proof

Current requirement (2026): Following the phase-out of physical BRP cards in 2024, applicants must provide:

• Share code generated from the UK government's online service

• Printed screenshot of e-visa from UKVI account

• Residence permit valid for at least 1 month beyond return date

Pre-Brexit residence cards require supplementary share code verification. C-type visitor visas do not qualify as residence proof—longer-term UK residency documentation is required.

3. Completed Visa Application Form

The Malta-specific application form is downloaded separately from VFS Global or the Maltese government portal (not completed on the VFS website).

Key sections requiring complete information:

• Section 31 (Accommodation): Full hotel address, phone number, and email address

• Section 21 (Current occupation): Specific job title

• Section 22 (Employer details): Complete company name, address, and contact information

4. Biometric Passport Photo

Required photo specifications:

• 35mm x 45mm (standard Schengen/ICAO size)

• White background

• Taken within the last 6 months

• Face covers 70-80% of image

• Neutral expression, glasses-free recommended to avoid reflections

VFS centres offer photo booth services (approximately £10). Professional passport photo services are an alternative option.

5. Employment or Study Proof

Documentation varies by applicant status:

Employed applicants: Employer letter (dated within last month) stating position, salary, employment start date, and approved leave period on company letterhead. Alternative: 3 months of payslips.

Self-employed applicants: Letter from accountant, solicitor, bank, or Companies House confirming business registration and trading status.

Student applicants: Institution letter confirming enrolment (dated within last month).

Unemployed/Retired applicants: Letter from Jobcentre Plus or Pension Service confirming status.

Homemakers: Sponsorship package from spouse including marriage certificate, passport copy, employment proof, bank statements, and financial support cover letter.

6. Financial Proof: The £48-Per-Day Calculation

Malta requires financial means verification using the formula:

£48 per day + accommodation costs + travel costs = minimum required funds

Example calculation: 7-day trip with £400 hotel booking:

• (£48 × 7) + £400 + £300 flights = £1,036 minimum balance required

Bank statements must:

• Cover the last 3 months

• Be bank-stamped or official PDF downloads

• Display full name, address, and current balance clearly

• Include explanatory notes for large, sudden deposits

Online banks (Monzo, Revolut) are accepted when statements are in official format.

7. Travel Proof

Flight and accommodation bookings must be:

• Paid in full (minimum 75% payment for package holidays)

• Include airline booking code and e-ticket number

• Hotel confirmations must show applicant's name. Group bookings require joint travel letter from named person plus their passport copy.

Vehicle travel: Provide vehicle registration, insurance documents, and ferry/Eurotunnel tickets.

Multi-country trips: All inter-Schengen transport bookings (trains, flights between countries) must be included.

8. Accommodation Proof

Hotel or hostel confirmations must include applicant's name. When booking confirmation shows another person's name:

• Provide joint travel letter from named individual

• Include their passport copy

• Both parties reference this arrangement in application forms

Airbnb bookings require full host contact information. Stays with friends/family require host invitation letter, passport copy, Malta address proof (utility bill), and host's legal status documentation in Malta.

9. Travel Insurance: €30,000 Minimum Coverage

Travel insurance policy must provide:

• €30,000 minimum coverage for medical expenses and emergency repatriation

• Coverage across the entire Schengen Area

• Validity for complete trip duration (UK departure to UK return)

• Issued by UK-registered insurance provider

• Explicit repatriation coverage clause

Note: Annual multi-trip policies are not accepted for single-trip visa applications. Single-trip specific policies are required.

Malta Visa Fees in 2026

Standard Schengen visa fees apply:

• Adults (18+): €90 (approximately £77)

• Children (6-12 years): €45 (approximately £38)

• Children under 6: Free

Additional £27.38 VFS Global service fee covers application processing, biometrics, and passport return.

Total adult cost: Approximately £104 (€90 consular fee + £27.38 VFS fee).

Payment at VFS centres is typically card-only (credit/debit). Some centres require online payment during appointment booking.

VFS Global Appointment Centres in the UK

Malta visa applications are processed at three VFS centres:

• London: 66 Wilson Street, London, EC2A 2BT

• Manchester: 50 Devonshire Street North, Manchester, M12 6JH

• Edinburgh: 1 Rennie's Isle, Leith, Edinburgh, EH6 6QT

Appointments are booked through the VFS Global Malta UK online portal. During peak periods (June-August, December), appointment availability is limited. Slots are released throughout the day without fixed schedules.

Walk-in appointments are not available. Pre-booked appointments are mandatory.

For applicants facing difficulty securing VFS appointments, appointment monitoring services can help. These tools check availability systematically throughout the day, with some services offering automated booking when slots become available. Many UK residents use automated monitoring tools to secure appointments more efficiently, particularly during peak application periods.

Service options typically include:

• Notification services: Real-time alerts when appointments become available

• Automated booking: Direct appointment securing when slots open

• Family coordination: Simultaneous appointments for multiple applicants

Most monitoring services for Malta appointments from UK centres secure bookings within 1-2 weeks during standard periods.

Malta Visa Processing Time

Official processing time: 15 calendar days from biometric appointment date. The consulate may extend processing to 45 days when additional verification is required.

Typical processing timelines:

• Standard applications (low season): 2-3 weeks

• Peak season submissions: 4-6 weeks

• Applications requiring verification: 6-8 weeks

Application timing: Submit applications 3-4 weeks before travel at minimum. For summer or December travel, applications should be submitted 2-3 months in advance. Applications can be submitted up to 6 months before travel dates.

Malta Visa Types Available from the UK

Tourist Visa (Type C)

Standard short-stay visa for tourism, family visits, or leisure. Permits stays up to 90 days within any 180-day period across all Schengen countries.

Malta issues visas based on stated travel dates. Multiple-entry visas (permitting several trips within 90 days) require established travel history with previous Schengen visas.

Extension policy: Tourist visas cannot be extended from within Malta except under extraordinary circumstances (serious illness, force majeure).

Business Visa (Type C)

Required for business meetings, conferences, or trade activities in Malta. Documentation includes:

• Invitation letter from Maltese company on letterhead

• Company registration number and business license

• Business relationship details

Letters must specify visit purpose, dates, locations, and financial responsibility.

Family Visit Visa

For visiting Maltese citizens or residents. Required documents:

• Invitation letter from Malta-based family member/friend

• Host's Maltese ID card or residence permit copy

• Accommodation proof (utility bill, property documentation)

• Relationship proof (marriage certificate, birth certificate)

Host letter must explain invitation purpose, accommodation arrangements, and financial support details.

Transit Visa (Type A)

Required only for specific nationalities when transiting Malta Airport without entering the Schengen Area. Most UK residents do not require airport transit visas.

Understanding Malta Visa Refusal Statistics

Malta's visa refusal rate is 38.5% globally according to 2024 Schengen statistics. UK resident applications experience lower refusal rates (estimated 15-20%) compared to the global average.

Common refusal categories:

1. Purpose of Stay Documentation

Applications may be refused when travel purpose documentation appears inconsistent or incomplete. Detailed itineraries, confirmed bookings, and evidence of UK ties (employment, property, family) strengthen applications.

2. Financial Means Verification

Refusals occur when:

• Bank balance does not meet the £48/day calculation requirements

• Large, unexplained deposits appear in recent statements

• Financial sponsorship lacks proper documentation

Financial sponsorship requirements: Sponsor must provide formal letter, their bank statements, and relationship proof.

3. Accommodation Verification

Malta consulate verifies accommodation bookings directly with providers. Bookings must be genuine and confirmed. Using visa-specific booking services may trigger verification issues.

4. Travel Insurance Compliance

Insurance refusal reasons:

• Coverage below €30,000

• Missing repatriation coverage clause

• Non-UK insurance provider

• Annual multi-trip policy for single-trip application

Recommendation: Purchase Schengen-specific single-trip insurance from UK providers (Avanti, Staysure, AllClear) explicitly marketed for visa applications.

5. UK Residence Permit Validity

UK residence permit must remain valid for at least 3 months beyond Malta return date. Share codes must be active, and e-visa screenshots must clearly display status.

The EES System and 90/180 Day Rule

Entry/Exit System (EES) Implementation

The EES digital border system began rollout in October 2025, with Malta airports implementing throughout early 2026. This system replaces manual passport stamping.

EES process:

• Facial recognition and fingerprint scanning at entry

• Automated entry date recording

• Exit recording upon departure

• No physical passport stamps

Impact: Automated tracking of Schengen stay duration, eliminating manual calculation discrepancies.

90/180 Day Calculation

Maximum 90 days permitted within any rolling 180-day period across all Schengen countries combined.

Example: 30 days in Malta (January) + 50 days in France (March-April) = 80 days used. Only 10 days remain available across all Schengen countries until July (180 days from January).

Application Appointment Process

VFS appointment includes:

1. Document submission: Staff verify document presence (quality review occurs at consulate level)

2. Biometrics collection: 10-fingerprint scan and digital photograph

3. Fee payment: £27.38 VFS service fee (if not prepaid online)

4. Passport submission: Required for processing period

Applications are forwarded to Malta's London consulate. Processing time begins from appointment date.

Passport collection options:

• In-person collection: Free, at original submission centre

• Courier delivery: £18-25 via Royal Mail Special Delivery, arrives 1-2 days post-notification

Visa Refusal Response Options

Refused applications receive letters stating refusal grounds (typically generic categories).

Available options:

1. Appeal: 2-month window to appeal to Malta's Refugees Appeals Board. Appeals require legal representation, typically take 3-6 months, and have variable success rates.

2. Reapplication: Address identified issues and submit new application with full fees.

3. Alternative Schengen application: Each Schengen country makes independent visa decisions. Applications to other countries remain possible.

Impact on future applications: Previous refusals are visible in the Visa Information System (VIS) across Schengen countries. Refusal does not constitute an automatic ban but increases scrutiny on subsequent applications.

Complete Application Timeline

Realistic end-to-end timeline for Malta Schengen visa applications from the UK in 2026:

• Weeks 1-3: VFS appointment booking period

• Week 4: Appointment attendance and document submission

• Weeks 5-7: Consulate processing (15-day minimum, typically 3-4 weeks)

• Week 7-8: Passport return with decision

Minimum timeline: 4 weeks from start to visa receipt
Standard timeline: 6-8 weeks complete process

Early application submission is recommended to accommodate processing variations.

Application Best Practices

Documentation standards:

1. Complete documentation: Provide all requested documents with supporting explanatory letters where applicable

2. Transaction explanations: Large deposits (gifts, transfers) require supporting documentation (donor statements, gift letters, relationship proof)

3. UK ties documentation: Employment contracts, property ownership, family relationships demonstrate return intention

4. Genuine bookings: Confirmed, paid travel arrangements

5. Professional photographs: Standard passport photo services recommended

6. Permit validity verification: UK residence permit must exceed 3-month post-return requirement

Malta visa applications require comprehensive documentation and adherence to specified requirements. This guide provides the complete framework for UK residents preparing Malta Schengen visa applications from UK in 2026.