A Comprehensive Overview About Malta Visit Visa From Dubai
Laura Amber, Senior Traveler, Italy

Though Malta lies in Southern Europe, the country is a member of the EU (European Union). It is an island close to the center of the Mediterranean Sea. Thus, it is famous for its sea, sun, and beautiful beaches.
Thus, there is much more to Malta than golden sands and blue waves. Its beautiful coast is one of the most breathtaking scenes in the Mediterranean. So, if you are a resident of the UAE and want to travel to Malta, your priority should be getting a Malta visit visa from Dubai.
This detailed guide will help you understand the basic information about the visa application process. Moreover, it also sheds light on the other available visa types, the mandatory documents, and the updated visa fees.
Let’s get into the details step-by-step!
Geographical Location of Malta
Malta is a European nation that is geographically located on the African Plate. It consists of three islands: Comino, Gozo, and Malta. Thus, it is made of sedimentary rock and is dominated by water.
The capital city of Malta

The capital of Malta is Valletta, the smallest capital in the EU at 0.8 km2.
Languages spoken in Malta
English and Maltese are Malta’s official languages. Maltese is the official language of the country. Thus, it is a Semitic language written in the Latin script.
Over the ages, it has derived multiple words from English, Italian, and French. It’s also common to speak Italian in Malta.
Climate of Malta
Malta has a Mediterranean climate that consists of warm, dry summers. The autumns are wet with heavy and short rainfall. Moreover, winters are chilly with enough rainfall.
Beautiful Part of Malta

The most attractive part of the Maltese islands is Gozo Island. This island is an ideal and beautiful getaway with its stunning pastoral landscapes. Moreover, quiet settlements and lovely beaches also make it a prominent part of the country. Thus, this is the best spot to go if you want to see Malta’s beautiful places.
What Are Some Worth Seeing Attraction Of Malta?
The following is the list of top attractions in Malta. Thus, you must visit these sights if you visit Malta.
- Enjoy Valletta, the capital city of Malta, and its traditional charm.
- Savor the tropical paradise at Comino’s Blue Lagoon.
- Explore Medina’s distinct history.
- Admire Malta’s Blue Grotto, a natural landmark.
- Explore the Hagar Qim Temples to discover its old history.
- Lost yourself in Rabat.
- Explore the Xwejni Salt Pans.
- Take in the beautiful views from Dingli Cliffs.
- Enjoy the Sun on Malta’s Beaches.
- Go to the Ta’ Pinu Basilica in Gozo.
- Fall in love with Popeye Village.
- Visit the Barrakka upper and lower gardens.
- Visit Victoria, Gozo’s historic district.
- Explore the charming Marsaxlokk.
- Undertake a Malta Winery Tour.
- Visit Sliema.
- Dive into a Maltese Festival.
How Can Dubai Citizens Visit Malta?
People across the world like to visit Malta for its tourist attractions. Thus, the tourist economy of Malta is the most profitable industry.
To visit Malta from Dubai, you need a permit from the Maltese authorities. Since Malta is a Schengen Member State, you will need a Schengen visa for Malta from Dubai.
| Important: The visa requirement for Dubai citizens entirely depends on your nationality and the passport you hold, and not on your UAE residency status. For instance, short stays in any of the Schengen countries, including Malta, are visa-free for the citizens of the UAE. However, expat residents (Indians, Pakistanis, Filipinos, Egyptians, etc) must get a Type C visa before leaving their home country. |
What is a Malta visit visa & what is its purpose?
A Malta visit visa is a permit, official authorization, or travel document that allows Dubai citizens to visit Malta for any purpose. So, they can do different activities in Malta, such as study, business, work, or any family visit. However, specifically, a visit visa can only be used for visiting family or friends living in the target country. You can also use it for tourism reasons and to explore the landscape and beauty of Malta.
Moreover, a visitor visa allows them to stay for a specific duration in Malta.
What is the validity of the Schengen Malta visit visa?
The visit visa is a short-term or temporary stay permit in Malta. Moreover, the duration of the visit is 90 days with a validity period of 180 days.
Thus, the visa holders can stay up to 90 days in Malta while visiting other Schengen member states. Alternatively, it is known as a Type C or Schengen visa.
Are tourist visas and visit visas the same?
Both visa types can be used interchangeably; however, serves different purposes. A visitor visa is valid for a period of up to six months. Moreover, it may be extended depending on the country’s rules.
Whereas a tourist visa has an expiry date of 3 months, but stays valid for one hundred and eighty days. It is useful for tourism purposes in Malta.
Who can apply for a Malta visit visa in the UAE?
Any person who is living in any of the seven emirates of the UAE and has a valid UAE residency valid for 3 months can apply for a Malta visit visa from Dubai.
Moreover, the applicant must not belong to the Schengen visa rejected categories to apply for a visit visa to Malta from Dubai or Abu Dhabi. Why? Applying for a new visa without addressing the previous visa rejection reasons will result in rejection again.
Is a Visa On Arrival or an eVisa Available for Dubai Citizens Traveling to Malta?
Currently, UAE passport holders are not eligible for a visa-on-arrival or an eVisa to travel to any of the Schengen states for short stays because they enjoy visa-free trips to the targeted region. For instance, a 90-day visa-free entry to Malta with a validity of six months.
Thus, they simply need a valid passport and other supporting documents, including return tickets & proof of accommodation at the border to be analyzed by the officers. However, in late 2026, citizens must register for ETIAS (European Travel Information Authorization System) before leaving the United Arab Emirates.
But expats or holders of other nationalities living in the UAE must get a short-stay visa to visit Malta.
Contrary to this, traveling to the host country for more than 90 days, i.e, for work or study purposes, requires the applicant to apply for a Type D or National visa.
Other Types of Maltese Visas for the Citizens of Dubai
A visit visa belongs to one of the three major Schengen visa categories. Malta, along with other Schengen states, provides various types of visas to travelers coming from all over the world, including the citizens of Dubai.
For instance, look at the following three major visa classes that are further subdivided into different domains.
Type A
A Type A visa is alternatively known as an airport transit visa that you need to go through the transit area at the International Airport of Malta while traveling to a non-Schengen country. This category does not allow you to leave the premises of the airport and enter the territory of the host country.
Typically, it stays valid for 48 to 72 hours only.
| Do You Know? UAE citizens (Emirati passport holders) do not require an airport transit visa for Malta. This is because they enjoy visa-free access to the entire Schengen Area for short stays. |
Type C
The second category, which is the main concern of this article, is a Type C or short-stay visa. It is known by another name, ‘Schengen visa’, that you can use for short stays in Malta. For instance, it allows the user to live there for 90 days or three months. Besides, it stays valid for 180 days.
Surprisingly, you cannot extend this visa type, and if you want to enjoy a stay longer than three months, return to your country and get a new visa.
Look at the following subtypes.
| Subtypes of Schengen visa | Description |
| Tourist visa | Allows the holder to travel to the country for tourism, holiday, or vacation purposes. |
| Business visa | The individual can attend a business meeting, conference, or trade negotiations in Malta with this type. |
| Medical treatment visa | Last but not least, individuals seeking medical treatment in a recognized Maltese medical facility can fulfill their purpose with a medical treatment visa. |
Type D
The last major category is a Type D or National visa that Dubai citizens can apply for to work, study, or reunite with their family members in Malta. This visa has a validity period of six months or one year, thus allowing the holder to extend it depending on the duration and purpose of stay.
Moreover, it has the following subtypes that you can use.
| Subtypes of Schengen visa | Description |
| Work visa | Employees from Dubai can apply for a Maltese work visa after getting a job offer letter from the potential employer. Besides, a residence and work permit are mandatory in this regard. |
| Family reunion visa | You can reunite with your friends or family members in Malta for more than 6 months with the help of a family reunion visa. |
| Student visa | UAE students can apply for a study visa once they get an admission letter from any of the recognized Maltese educational institutions. |
What Are The Legal Requirements For A Malta Visa For Dubai Citizens?

The Dubai and non-Dubai citizens applying for a Malta visit visa must meet the visa requirements. Since these requirements are set by the Schengen Malta authorities to grant visas, they should be taken into consideration.
Therefore, the following are the Malta visa requirements or supporting documents required by UAE and non-UAE citizens:
Visa Application Form

For a visit visa to Malta from Dubai, you need to fill out a visa application form. Thus, it is a mandatory requirement for a form to be filled out completely.
A visa application form consists of four pages, and each page has a different part, such as:
- Personal Information
- Travel Information
- Accommodation Details
- Dates and Signature
Leaving any of these sections or blanks unfilled will lead to immediate application rejection. So, hold on tight, plan your information, and then complete the form carefully.
A Valid Passport

You must have a valid passport that meets the criteria of the Malta Embassy. Thus, the criteria are given below:
- A passport must be up-to-date before applying for a visa.
- Have at least two blank pages for stamping the dates of the visa.
- A passport must have validity for more than 3 months beyond your intended stay.
- There is no damage or alteration in the passport.
- Moreover, it should not be older than the last ten years. If this is not the case, ensure to renew it before time.
Copies Of Old Visas
You also need to attach copies of old visas if you have visited the Schengen zone or any other country before.
Passport Size Photographs
The photographs serve for identification purposes. Thus, the embassy requires one photograph that will be attached to your visa application form. Thus, the photographs must meet the following Schengen criteria of the Malta embassy, which are:
- Captured in the last three months.
- Have a clear white/plain background outlined by the embassy.
- The photograph must have a standard size of 35mm by 40mm.
- There must be no ink or staple mark on the photograph.
- Your face and shoulders should cover 70% to 80% of the photograph.
- Brightness and contrast must be balanced in your photograph.
- The photograph should be of HD quality with a matte finish.
Travel Health Insurance Policy
You must have a valid travel health insurance policy while applying for a Malta visit visa from Dubai. Moreover, it must meet the specific criteria of Malta, which are:
- The policy must cover emergency medical and travel expenses during your stay in Malta. For instance, this includes accident, hospitalization, surgery, death, repatriation, evacuation, luggage loss, flight cancellation, loss of passport, etc.
- The policy covers the entire duration of your stay in Malta and the whole Schengen Area.
- Besides, it must have at least 30,000 euros to cope with the expenses.
- The insurance policy must be valid for your stay and can be extended.
- Ensure to get it from a reliable service provider, such as Schengen Flight Reservation for Visa, to be accepted by the authorities.
Proof Of Accommodation
This proof of accommodation is required to show your stay arrangements in Malta. For this purpose, you can book a hotel, sign a rental contract for an apartment/house, or submit an invitation letter from the Maltese host. Thus, it provides the details about the reservation you made in Malta, including:
- The name of the hotel or hostel
- Location of the hotel
- Rental agreement
- Reservation code
- Contact information
- Dates of joining and leaving
For a family or a friend
If you are staying with any of your family members or friends, then provide:
- Your relationship with them
- Proof of their financial health, such as bank statements
- A copy of their CNIC
- Home address
- Contact information
- Duration of stay
Proof Of Flight Reservation
Booked flight reservation is required to prove your travel plans to the Malta embassy. Since it is a dummy ticket required for a visa application, ensure that it is verifiable and contains a genuine 6-digit PNR. Because if the authorities feel anything suspicious while verifying the flight details, they will turn down your application. This is due to the fact that this document not only discloses your travel plans, but also shows your intention to travel back to your home state. As a result, it helps you avoid overstaying your visa.
Thus, the document must include information about:
- Name and number of flight
- Reservation code provided by the airline
- Travel dates and times
- Names of arrival and departure airports
- IATA codes from the airport
- 6-digit PNR (passenger name record)
- Any connecting flight (if applicable)
Purpose of flight itinerary
It is required for visa application processing. It is not an actual ticket, so if your visa is rejected, you will never face the loss.
Moreover, if your visa is approved, you can change your flight reservation into an actual flight ticket to embark on the journey.
Cover Letter
This letter is written to the embassy or consulates of Malta. In this letter, you can provide information about your trip, including your travel dates. Moreover, the reason for your visit, and any other information that may support your visa application, can also be included.
In short, it is the best way to convince the visa officer to grant you the desired visa. Thus, there are some tips to write an effective cover letter.
- Always write a clear and concise cover letter.
- Avoid using difficult words or language and focus on your intended plans.
- Provide brief details about your purpose of travel.
- Provide details about your ties in your home country, such as employment, property, or family.
- At the end, proofread your cover letter to avoid any mistakes.
Proof Of Financial Stability
This document ensures that you are financially stable enough to cope with your expenses in Malta. Moreover, you will never become a burden on the Malta authorities.
To prove financial stability, you need to provide the following documents.
- Bank statement of the last six months
- Your credit card details
- Investment details
- Salary slips from the last three to six months
- Property ownership details
- Proof of employment contract
- Any other document that shows financial stability
Sponsorship details
If someone is sponsoring your trip, then provide details about the following:
- Bank statement of the sponsor for the last 6 months
- Sponsor credit card details
- Commitment letter
- Sponsorship letter for a visa
What Are Other Documents Required For Visit Visa Application?
Besides these documents, you will be required to submit some other essentials for the visa application, such as:
- UAE residence proof (for non-UAE citizens)
- Copy of ID card
- Trade license copy (if you have a business partner in the UAE)
For minor
- Birth certificate of the minor
- Permission letter signed by both parents
- Passport of parents
- Court order letter
For students
- No Objection Certificate provided by the institute
- Proof of scholarship, if applicable
- Sponsorship details
Can I Get All Visa Documents For A Single Place?
Yes, you can get all your required visa documents, such as booked flight reservations, hotel bookings for visa application, and travel insurance policy, from a travel agency or consulate.
Because they have connections with embassies and airlines to provide these documents to visa applicants. Moreover, this comes with the advantage of submitting verifiable documents to the authorities for easier processing.
Thus, always choose a reputable travel agency for your visa documents, such as SFRV Travels, which has been facilitating its clients for many years.
Why choose us for visa documents?
The answer is simple. We are professionals in our field and provide visa documents at an affordable price. Moreover, we offer discounts to our clients, such as free templates for effective cover letters and visa guidance.
Thus, when seeking visa documents, contact us first!
What Are The Steps To Apply For A Malta Visit Visa From Dubai?
To apply for a Malta visit visa from the UAE, you must follow the steps below for a smooth visa processing. Applicants from Dubai can lodge their visa applications at the VFS Global center. One half of the process can be completed online (getting the application form and booking an appointment), whereas the other half requires you to visit the center in person. Thus, the following guide will help you in this regard.
Step 1: Gather Required Documents
First of all, collect your mandatory and supporting documents as mentioned in the section above. Moreover, applicants need to ensure that all the documents are translated into English or Maltese. Besides, some documents may also need to be legalized, so ensure that you complete the task beforehand.
Step 2: Search For Website
The next step is to search for a reputable visa application facility that provides services for a Malta visit visa from Dubai. For this purpose, type VFS Global in the Google search bar.
A list of options will appear on your screen, and then select the first option among them.

Step 3: Select the Home and Destination Countries
The next step is to select your home country as “UAE” and your destination country as “Malta”. After that, hit the tab ‘take me to the website’ to move ahead. At this instance, you can select a Malta short-stay visa or a Malta long-stay visa. The further subcategorization, i.e., a visit visa, can be selected later in the process.

Step 4: Choose Your Category
Then, a new page will open containing many options. Therefore, from these options, choose “Apply for visa” and click on “Start now” for further processing. This will lead you to a brand new page.

Step 5: Select Your Visa Type
After that, a new page will open on your screen showing a “Step-by-step guide” about the visa.
- From these steps, click on the step “identify visa type” and then click on “visa type” for the selection of visa.
- Then select “visit visa” for further processing. After selecting the visa type, a detailed guide will be shown on your screen about the visa.

Step 6: Fill Out The Visa Application Form
The next step is to complete a visit visa application form. For this purpose, just click on the option “download visa application form” to download it.
After that, print and fill it out completely and accurately. In case you leave any blank empty or provide the wrong information, the authorities will jeopardize your application.
Step 7: Book An Appointment
Then, book your appointment at the embassy or consulate with the help of the same VFS Global website for further processing of your application. This requires you to create or log in to an account on VFS Global. After that, you can make the appointment by booking the available slot. Ensure to complete this step early, as slots fill in too quickly. Once done, you will receive a confirmation email from the visa officials.

Step 8: Visit the application center
The eighth step requires you to visit the visa application center on the day of your appointment. This step contains further subsequent steps that should be completed on the given date and time. Reach the center a bit early and submit your essentials, such as a visa application form and supporting documents, to the visa authorities. Moreover, you will also be required to provide your biometric data (digital fingerprints and a photo) to be stored in the VIS (Visa Information System) for 59 months.
Step 9: Pay Visa Fees
Then, pay your application fees at the time of the visa interview. Thus, when visiting the embassy, keep your visa fees in your pocket and deposit them in the available payment method.

Step 10: Wait For Confirmation
After that, return to your home and wait for some time till the embassy or consulate reviews your application. After the submission, you will get a receipt on which your application number is mentioned.
In the meantime, track your application through the tracker number mentioned on the receipt. Along with that, enter your date of birth in the given field as well. Thus, you can track it online through the VFS Global portal.

Step 11: Collect Your Passport
Lastly, collect your visa-stamped passport after receiving an email from the embassy stating that the processing of the application has been completed. So, keep a copy of your ID card and the reference number of your visa application with you while visiting the center.

How Long Does it Take for a Malta Visit Visa from Dubai to be Processed?
The standard processing time for the Maltese visit visa application for citizens of Dubai is 15-20 working days. But in some cases, it takes 30 days or more because the embassy confirms all the details mentioned in the form and asks for other verifications.
Therefore, multiple factors play a crucial role in assessing the typical period required to process a specific visa application. For instance, this includes,
- the visa type
- the volume of applications/the workload at the embassy
- the completeness of the application
So, in case you forgot to submit a specific document or if additional essentials are required by the embassy for a thorough analysis of your travel plans, the processing period gets extended. Similarly, a long-stay visa application may take around three to six months to reach a decision.
That is the reason applicants are advised to submit their applications at least two to three months in advance to avoid any potential delays.
What are the Application Fees for The Citizens of Dubai Applying for a Malta Visit Visa?
As stated earlier, UAE citizens are currently exempt from applying for a Type C visa, and so from the application fees. They only need to pay the fees when applying for a Type D visa.
However, other residents and expats are expected to do so for a short-stay visa as well. Thus, the total cost for a Maltese visa includes the Embassy/visa fee and the VFS Global service charges.
Other than that, factors such as the visa type, the applicant’s nationality, and their age group also play an important role in this.
Look at the following table for the Schengen visa fee in this regard.
| Category of the applicant | Visa fee | Service charges |
| Adults over 12 years of age | 90 euros/380 AED | 30 euros/120 AED |
| Children between 6 and 12 | 45 euros/190 AED | 30 euros/120 AED |
| Minors under six | 0 | 30 euros/120 AED |
Contrary to the above, the application fees for a Type D visa vary based on the sub-categories. For instance:
The standard National visa fee is 75 to 100 euros, depending on the specific extended category.
| Category of the visa | Visa fee | Service charges |
| Work visa | 150 euros/635 AED | 100 euros/423 AED |
| Student visa | 100 euros/423 AED | 100 euros/423 AED |
| Family reunification visa | 150 euros/635 AED | 100 euros/423 AED |
Furthermore, applicants may also incur extra costs at the VFS Dubai Center for the following services.
- 45-60 AED for courier delivery of the passport.
- 5-10 AED for SMS alerts.
- 300+ AED for a premium lounge and personalized submission experience.
| Important: Please note that all fees (visa and service) are non-refundable even if the visa is rejected. Moreover, applicants are advised to deposit the fees in the United Arab Emirates Dirham at the center via cash or card. |
FAQs- Malta Visit Visa from Dubai
The following frequently asked questions will help you understand common queries related to the Malta visit visa from Dubai.
1. Do UAE residents need a visa to travel to Malta?
Usually, it depends on your nationality and the passport you hold. Since UAE citizens are visa-exempt for up to 90 days, expatriate residents must get a Type C visa before traveling.
2. How long does the visit visa application processing take?
As discussed, the standard processing time is 15 working days. However, during peak seasons, such as summer or winter holidays, the period gets extended to 45 days or more.
3. How much is the minimum balance required in the bank for a Maltese visit visa application?
There is no fixed official amount needed, but you must have 100-120 euros per day of your stay in Malta. Moreover, your bank account must show a closing balance of 10,000 to 15,000 AED, as it is often cited as a healthy benchmark for short trips to the target Schengen country.
4. Can I apply for a visa if my UAE residence visa is expiring soon?
No, your UAE residency visa should be valid for at least three months beyond your intended return date from the Schengen Area.
5. Is travel insurance mandatory for a visa application?
Yes. Traveling to any of the Schengen countries makes it mandatory for the applicants to have travel health insurance that provides a minimum coverage of 30,000 euros. Moreover, it should be valid across all 29 Schengen states and cover travel and medical emergencies.
6. Do I need to submit a No Objection Certificate (NOC)?
Yes. If you are an employed individual, you must provide an original NOC on the company letterhead. The document must be stamped, signed, and must contain information on your position, salary, and leave approval.
7. Is it possible to travel to other countries with a Malta visa?
Yes. If your Malta visa is valid, you can travel to any of the 29 states in the Schengen Area. However, Malta should be your first point of entry or primary destination.
8. What are the photo requirements for a Malta visit visa from Dubai?
Applicants need two recent (less than six months old) color photos with a dimension of 35*45mm and a plain/white background. Besides, your face and shoulders must cover 70-80% of the photo.
9. Can a housewife or a student apply for a Maltese visa?
Why not! A housewife and a student can apply for a Maltese visa by providing a sponsorship letter from a family member, which can be a spouse or parent. Moreover, the sponsor’s three to six-month-old bank statement and a copy of their UAE passport are also required in this regard.
10. Where is the visa application center in Dubai?
The VFS Global Joint Visa Application Center is located at Wafi Mall, Level 2, Falcon Wing, Dubai. Applications must be submitted in person at this center.
Conclusion
Securing a Malta visit visa from Dubai requires you to distinguish between citizenship and residency. Though the citizens are visa-exempt for short stays, expatriates need to carefully manage and lodge applications through VFS Global.
Furthermore, preparing documents at least 2 months in advance and understanding the specific Type C and D visa requirements will help ensure a smooth transition to Malta.
Along with that, travelers must make sure that they try their absolute best to avoid the reasons that lead to the rejection of the visa.
For further assistance from a reliable service provider, such as SFRV Travels, you can easily get your travel documents from the comfort of your home.
Stay tuned!
Explore more:
Finland Visit Visa From Dubai → Discover how to apply for a Finland visit visa from Dubai with details on documents, processing time, and travel insurance.
Slovenia Visit Visa from Dubai → Get step-by-step guidance on applying for a Slovenia visit visa from Dubai, covering visa types, application procedure, and supporting documents.
Spain Visit Visa from Dubai → Learn the complete process to apply for a Spain visit visa from Dubai, including requirements, fees, and essential travel documents.
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