Entrepreneurs to Obtain Permanent Residence in Malta through a New Programme

Entrepreneurs to Obtain Permanent Residence in Malta through a New Programme

Malta has been putting tremendous effort into creating an international business environment. After establishing multiple immigration programmes to attract investors, and most recently entrepreneurs, the country’s economy has benefited greatly. 

Since 2016, Malta has granted 2,273 investors residency permits. 87% of permit holders were from Asia applying for the Malta Permanent Residence Programme, formerly known as the Malta Residence and Visa Programme (MRVP).

The country has also granted 5,303 additional Malta permanent residency permits to family members of the main applicant.

Malta Permanent Residence Programme Insights

The Residency Malta Agency (RMA), the agency governing the Malta Permanent Residence Programme, reported that in 2020 alone, 988 investors were granted permanent residence in Malta, which is an all-time high in a single year and the trend is expected to continue.

In response to this spike in applications, Malta’s government has allocated more personnel, invested in software-based processing solutions, and streamlined the process, promising a four to six month processing time for the MPRP.

Today, the government is accepting new applicants at an unprecedented rate. Applicants are assured that the increase in applications will not compromise Malta’s high due diligence standards. 

Malta Exceptional Investor Naturalisation (MEIN) 

Malta’s leading programme continues to be the Malta Citizenship by Investment, referred to as the Malta Exceptional Investor Naturalisation (MEIN).

While not labelled as a traditional “citizenship programme”, the MEIN offers a direct route to Maltese Citizenship following 12 or 36 months of residency. 

The MEIN is truly the global gold standard for Citizenship by Investment. An investor who applies for the Maltese programme will obtain a residency permit and then citizenship in an English-speaking EU country with a minimal physical presence in Malta throughout the process.

Applicants must meet the high financial requirements and go through the investment routes including making a government contribution and either purchasing or leasing property. 

A Maltese passport offers visa-free travel to 187 countries.

Read more about Malta Citizenship by Investment.

The New Maltese Nomad Residence Permit (NRP)

After two years of the pandemic, remote work for millions of people around the world has become the new normal. Many remote workers have strived to augment their work experience by working remotely in a foreign country.

Numerous countries, including Germany, Portugal, Mexico, and the UAE have recognised this growing interest to work abroad and subsequently, they have introduced digital nomad visa programmes to attract and capitalise on these remote workers. 

Malta is no exception. As of June 2021, Malta has also introduced its own digital nomad visa, the Maltese Nomad Residence Permit (NRP), granting remote workers a one-year Malta residence permit. 

While the programme doesn't qualify the applicant to become a permanent resident, the one-year permit is renewable.

Malta’s Proposed Start-up Residence Programme

Malta’s newest proposed investment migration programme is the Malta Start-up Residence Permit. The Malta Agency is currently tailoring the Start-up Visa to foreign nationals to create a path for entrepreneurs to invest in Malta. The Programme is set to launch soon and Latitude Group will share all of the details as soon as they become available.

If you are interested in learning more about the Malta Permanent Residence Programme, contact us today to book a complimentary and comprehensive consultation with one of our citizenship advisors. 

About Latitude

Latitude Group is a government-approved partner and an authorised agent of the world’s most powerful residency and citizenship programmes, including Antigua & Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, St Kitts & Nevis, St Lucia, Vanuatu, and Malta.

Latitude Group employs over 90 industry professionals in 22 locations globally that provide clients with innovative programme solutions in the Caribbean, Europe, and North America, competitively priced services and local expertise with a global reach.

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