The Skills Pass Regime and Pre-Departure Eligibility Requirements for Third-Country Nationals (TCNs) Seeking Employment in Malta

As from 2026, Malta has implemented a revised Skills Pass framework regulating the eligibility of TCNs seeking to reside and work in Malta, particularly within the Hospitality and Tourism sector. The reform introduces:

1. a mandatory Pre-Departure Course applicable to all first-time TCN applicants for a Maltese work permit; and
2. restructures the sector-specific Skills Pass process.

The Skills Pass system operates as a national verification mechanism designed to assess the suitability, competency, and preparedness of foreign workers prior to employment. It is administered by the Institute of Tourism Studies (ITS) in collaboration with Identità Malta, Jobsplus, and other relevant authorities. Within the Hospitality and Tourism sector, the Skills Pass remains a regulatory requirement linked directly to work permit issuance.

Skills Pass

The Skills Pass constitutes a mandatory eligibility and competency verification regime imposed at national level.

Its primary purpose is to ensure that foreign nationals entering the Maltese labour market possess an adequate understanding of Maltese society, workplace rights and obligations, sector-specific standards, and (where applicable) occupation-specific competencies.

Accordingly, failure to comply with the Skills Pass requirements results in the inability to obtain the necessary documentation from Identità Malta to lawfully reside and work in the country.

Mandatory Pre-Departure Course

One of the most significant changes introduced in 2026 is the establishment of the Pre-Departure Course as the first mandatory stage for all TCNs applying for a first work permit in Malta.

This course is required irrespective of the economic sector in which the applicant intends to work. It must be completed prior to proceeding to any sector-specific Skills Pass requirements.

The Pre-Departure Course consists of modules covering living and integrating in Malta, rights and obligations at the workplace, and an English proficiency test. The structure reflects a policy objective aimed at ensuring that foreign workers are adequately informed of Maltese social norms, employment protections, and communication standards before arrival.

Successful completion of the online assessments results in the issuance of an official Pre-Departure Course Certificate through the Skills Pass portal. This certificate forms part of the mandatory documentation required for work permit processing.

Sector-Specific Requirements for Hospitality and Tourism

In addition to the universal Pre-Departure Course, TCNs seeking employment within an MTA-licensed Hospitality and Tourism establishment must complete the full Hospitality and Tourism Skills Pass process.

The requirement applies to operational roles within regulated establishments. Certain non-front-facing roles, such as human resources, accounts, or marketing positions, may fall outside the scope of the sector-specific Skills Pass, although clarification may be required in individual cases. Cleaning attendants are expressly exempt from the Hospitality and Tourism Skills Pass, though not necessarily from the Pre-Departure Course unless otherwise exempt.

i. The first phase of the sector-specific stage includes online modules covering basic customer care and the Maltese tourism product, as well as an occupation-specific assessment where applicable. Upon successful completion of this stage, candidates receive a Phase 1 confirmation email through the portal. Under the new system, this confirmation is no longer issued as a certificate.

ii. The second phase consists of a consolidated interview conducted at a designated Visa application centre (VFS). This interview assesses the applicant’s understanding of the Pre-Departure material, English language proficiency, sector knowledge, and occupation-specific competence.

iii. Following successful completion, the applicant is issued two certificates: the Pre-Departure Course Certificate (if not already generated) and the Certificate of Full Skills Pass Achievement.

The Certificate of Full Skills Pass Achievement is mandatory for the issuance of a work permit in the Hospitality and Tourism sector.

Fee Structure and Payment Mechanism

The 2026 framework introduces a two-stage payment structure aligned with the revised process. Applicants are first required to purchase the General Bundle covering the Pre-Departure stage. Subsequently, those proceeding to the Hospitality and Tourism Skills Pass must pay the sector-specific fee, which includes the interview component.

1. Pre-Departure Course: the first mandatory stage for all third-country nationals applying for their first work permit, costs €245. This fee covers the online Pre-Departure modules, English test, and issuance of the Pre-Departure Course Certificate.
2. Hospitality & Tourism Sector Skills Pass (Phase 1 + Interview Stage): For applicants seeking employment in the regulated Hospitality & Tourism sector, this second stage applies in addition to the Pre-Departure fee, for a cost of €230. This fee includes the sector-specific online modules (such as basic customer care and tourism product knowledge) and the Phase 2 interview processing.
3. Interview-Only Fee: In cases where a candidate is exempt from the Skills Pass but still requires an interview, a small interview fee applies of €5.

Exemptions

The framework establishes clear exemptions from either the sector-specific Skills Pass or from both stages of the regime.

Maltese nationals, EU/EEA nationals, and Swiss nationals are exempt from both the Pre-Departure Course and the Skills Pass.

Workers already holding a valid work permit, including those changing employer or sector, are likewise exempt from repeating the process.

Individuals already in possession of a valid Skills Pass Certificate are not required to undertake the process again.

However, exemptions from the Hospitality and Tourism Skills Pass do not automatically imply exemption from the Pre-Departure Course unless specifically provided.

For applicable third-country nationals, a valid Pre-Departure Course Certificate and, where relevant, a valid Certificate of Full Skills Pass Achievement must be submitted as part of the permit application. Identità Malta will not issue a work permit in the absence of the required documentation.

Employers are expected to ensure that candidates complete the required courses, assessments, and interviews prior to submission of the work permit application. Employers must verify the authenticity of certificates through the portal’s QR code validation system and must refrain from employing individuals who lack valid Skills Pass documentation.

There is a clear policy expectation that employers inform prospective employees of the Skills Pass and Pre-Departure requirements at an early stage in the recruitment process to avoid administrative delays.

Transitional Arrangements

The reform includes transitional measures for applicants who had commenced or completed stages under the previous Skills Pass portal.

1. Candidates who had completed Phase 1 and booked Phase 2 under the previous system are permitted to proceed with their existing bookings within the prescribed timeframe.
2. Those who failed Phase 2 may re-register under the new portal and restart the process at a temporary discount, subject to specified deadlines.
3. Candidates who failed to attend scheduled interviews without valid justification are required to restart the process at full payment.
4. Individuals whose permit renewal expired during the previous process must submit a new application and recommence the Skills Pass procedure under the new system.

Limited temporary exemptions from Phase 2 may be granted in exceptional circumstances, subject to formal communication with the Skills Pass unit and compliance in a subsequent year.

Skills Pass certificates issued during 2024–2025 remain valid. The duration of work permits granted to existing certificate holders may vary depending on the Skills Pass level attained and the duration of the employment contract.

Higher-level Skills Pass classifications, corresponding to higher MQF levels, may entitle holders to longer permit durations, subject to the absence of objections from competent authorities.

How Can AE Help  

At AE Legal, we support employers and third-country nationals in navigating Malta’s updated Skills Pass framework with ease and confidence. From guiding candidates through the Pre-Departure Course and sector-specific Skills Pass requirements to ensuring work permit applications are fully compliant, our team provides clear, practical advice at every step. We help you understand obligations, manage deadlines, and avoid administrative delays, so you can focus on building a skilled and compliant workforce in Malta.