Malta Citizenship Application Process

Malta Citizenship Application Process for Investors

1. Application forms prescribed by the regulations are submitted.
2. Within ninety days of submission of application for citizenship, the agency implementing the Programme shall verify that:  [checklist]
   • Application is certified as formally correct,
   • All relevant information has been verified through independent due diligence agents,
   • Applicant’s background and the background of his/her dependants have been verified by independent due diligence agents,
   • All required fees and non-refundable payment has been paid,
   • The source of funds have been verified,
   • Appropriate risk analysis has been carried out.
3. Within 30 days of completion of this verification, the agency implementing the Programme shall carry out further background checks if necessary and indicate that the application has been[checklist]
   • Approved in principle, or
   • Refused, or
   • Delayed pending processing of the application
4. After approval, the agency implementing the programme shall issue a Letter of Approval in Principle requiring:[checklist]
   • Proof that the investor and his/her dependants are covered by a global health insurance policy that they are in a position to retain indefinitely.
   • A written undertaking to
     1. Acquire and hold residential immovable property in Malta having a minimum value of EUR 350,000, or
     2. Lease a residential immovable property in Malta for a minimum annual rent of  EUR 16,000

   Such property shall not be let or sublet and shall be retained for a period of at least five years from date of purchase or lease.

   However, such property can be disposed off if the investor provides proof of purchasing or leasing another property that meets the above-mentioned requirements and commits to retain the same for a period of five years as required by the regulations governing the Programme.

   The investor must submit proof of purchase or leasing of the above-mentioned property within four months of issue of the Letter of Approval.

5. The investor shall provide a written undertaking to make other investments in Malta of EUR 150,000 in stocks, bonds, debentures, special purpose vehicles, or other notified investment vehicles and commit to retaining said investments for a period of not less than five years. The investor must submit proof of investment within four months of issue of the Letter of Approval.

6. Personal Interview. This is not mandatory and is determined on a case by case basis.

7. Within five days of Approval in Principle, the investor shall be instructed to pay the required contribution after deducting the non-refundable payment made. The investor must ensure that his or her contribution is received by the Agency within 20 days of such instruction.

8. Upon receipt of contribution and fulfillment of other conditions in the Letter of Approval in Principle, the agency implementing the Programme shall notify the Minister to issue a Certificate of Naturalisation.

9. After at least six months and within two years from date of application, the Minister shall issue a Certificate of Naturalisation in the name of the investor provided that all conditions in the Letter of Approval have been satisfied and continue to be satisfied.

10. The Certificate of Naturalisation shall then become effective and made available to the investor. An application for a passport will proceed only after the Oath of Allegiance has been taken.

11. A Certificate of Naturalisation will be issued only if THE investor submits proof that he has been a resident of Malta for at least twelve months preceding the day of issuance of the Certificate.