Malta•EuropeKey Employee Initiative (KEI)
At a Glance
Processing Time
5 days
Application Fee
600 EUR
Stay Duration
1 year
Renewable
Yes
Job Offer
Not Required
Dependents
Allowed
PR Pathway
Available
This visa can lead to permanent residency — the right to live and work here indefinitely without renewing your visa.Remote Work
Not Required
Overview
Fast-track residence permit for highly skilled professionals in managerial or senior technical positions. Expedited 5-day processing.
The Key Employee Initiative (KEI) provides fast-track processing for highly qualified non-EU professionals in managerial or specialized technical positions. It is designed to attract key talent to Malta with minimal processing delays. Applications are processed within 5 working days, significantly faster than standard permits.
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Requirements
Financial
Minimum Income
45,000 EUR
per year
Personal
Education
Bachelor or higher
Professional
Experience
3+ years
Excluded Nationalities
Citizens of the following countries are not eligible: AT, BE, BG, CY, CZ, DE, DK, EE, ES, FI, FR, GR, HR, HU, IE, IT, LT, LU, LV, NL, PL, PT, RO, SE, SI, SK, CH, IS, LI, NO
Documentation
Applicant Documents
Valid passport
Valid for entire employment period
Educational certificates
Certified copies of relevant qualifications
Work experience documentation
Proof of relevant professional experience
Employment contract
Formal offer for managerial/technical position
Medical certificate
Health clearance
Police conduct certificate
Certificate of good conduct
Travel medical insurance
Minimum EUR 100,000 coverage
Sponsor Documents
Company registration
Business registration proof
Financial statements
Company accounts
Salary verification
Proof of EUR 45,000+ salary
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Advantages
- Exceptionally fast processing (5 days)
- No lottery or quota system
- For managerial and technical specialists
- Renewable annually
- Can lead to permanent residence
Considerations
- Minimum salary requirement (EUR 45,000)
- Must have relevant qualifications and experience
- Employer-dependent
- Job loss affects permit status
Application Process
Verify eligibility
Confirm position is managerial/technical and meets salary threshold of EUR 45,000+
Obtain employment offer
Secure offer for managerial or highly technical position
Prepare documentation
Gather qualifications, work experience, employment contract, and financial documents
Submit KEI application
Apply through official Identità portal with all required documents
Pay application fee
Pay EUR 600 application fee
Fast-track processing
Application processed within 5 working days
Application Forms
KEI Application Form
Form ID: CEA Form C1 KEI
Ready to Apply?
Check your eligibility first to see how well you match this visa