A. INTRODUCTION

The whole process to obtain a Malta passport via the Malta Individual Investor Program (MIIP) is divided into a number of stages.

With each stage, different documentation, forms and fees need to be submitted and paid accordingly.

The following are the main stages and key milestones of the whole process:

A. Residency Stage

B. MIIP Application Stage

C. Oath of Allegiance and Naturalization

This publication aims at providing guidelines and an overview of the process, including the documentation and payments that need to be submitted to the authorities.

All applications are to be handled exclusively by agents to Identity Malta (the authority appointed by the Maltese government to process the applications). We are agents to Identity Malta and hence can process the applications accordingly and act as a single point of liaison with the authorities.

B. RESIDENCE STAGE

Stage A: Preliminary Information: The requirement of the Genuine Link

By law, no passport will be issued to an applicant unless he proves that he is resident in Malta for a minimum period of 12 months. In order to prove such residence, the candidate must apply for an e-Residence Card.

The “residence requirement” requires evidence of a genuine link with Malta.

Candidates must commit to some presence (but not 365 days) in Malta before citizenship is granted. Persons already resident one year prior to MIIP approval already satisfy this requirement and need not apply for e-Residence Card again.

As agents, we can obtain advance written approval from Identity Malta of their clients' proposed genuine links. Till now, the authorities have accepted the following as genuine links:

Stage B: Obtain Clearance from the Police of Malta

The applicant must provide us with passport copies of all applicants in order for us to obtain clearance from the Police. The e-Residence Card Application form must be submitted within 6 months of such clearance.

Stage C: Obtaining Residential Property

The applicant needs to find residential property for the 12 months period in which he will be considered resident in Malta. There is no minimum value of the property.

In such case, the applicant typically leases property for a period of 12 months at a minimal value, for instance of around €500 per month.

We can assist the client to search for property. If the client so requires, we can provide a selection of selected property for him to choose, subject to availability.

Stage D: Preparing the Application for e-Residence Card

The following is a list of the main steps involved and documentation required to obtain an e-Residence Card:

Stage E: Submission of the Application Form for e-Residence Card

In order to be able to submit the documentation, the applicants (main and dependents) must be physically present at the authorities’ offices in Malta.

Prior to submission of the application form, as agents, we will send all documents the authorities in scanned form a minimum 10 days before meeting.

The officials of Identity Malta will conduct a personal meeting with the applicants (main and dependents) at their offices in Malta in order for them to:

Upon submission of the documentation to the authorities, the applicant must also proceed with the payment of the following fees to authorities:

The e-Residence Card is typically issued within 5 working days, provided everything is in order. The validity of e-Residence Card for the purpose of the MIIP is of 18 months. Upon expiry, applicants must repeat this process and the fee is of €200.

Stage F: Collection of the e-Residence Card

Till now, the authorities have allowed the authorized agents (our firm) to collect the e-Residence Cards on behalf of the applicants. Hence, there should be no need for the applicants to return to Malta to collect the e-Residence Cards.

Stage G: Ensuring Compliance with the Genuine Link Criteria

It is of utmost importance that the applicants abide to the Genuine Links indicated in the Introduction Letter throughout the 12 months residence in Malta. Non-compliance with this requirement may seriously prejudice his passport application form at a later stage.

C. MIIP APPLICATION PREPARATION STAGE & SUBMISSION

Once the e-Residence Card has been issued, the applicant can commence the process to submit the MIIP Application (i.e. the forms to apply for the Maltese passport).

We will assist the client with the compilation of the various application forms. The main documents required have been divided as follows:

Key Documents:

Prescribed Forms duly signed by a Commissioner for Oaths –

Administrative Forms:

Supporting Documentation – Certified True Copies of the following are required:

Guidance on Authentication and Translation

The general rules apply for authentication and translation of documents:

Submission of MIIP Application Form

Once all the documentation has been compiled, we will proceed to submit the application form and any accompanying forms to the authorities.

A receipt is given to our firm as agents that all documentation has been submitted.

D. FOLLOW-UP BY AUTHORITIES

Following submission of the documentation as per the above, the authorities will check that all documentation has been submitted and will send an official letter indicating the completion of phase one of the application process accompanied by the Payment Request Voucher (PRV).

The PRV will include the following remaining fees:

The authorities reserve the right to request the applicants to attend an interview with the authorities.

If there is any incorrect information, the authorities issue a Report and list all issues and will send this to us as agents.

E. DUE DILIGENCE PHASE

Authorities have 120 days to conduct any Due Diligence on the applicants. During this process, the authorities might request additional documentation and/or clarifications. In such case, the 120 days are suspended from date on which request is made to day on which information is received.

After the 120 days, successful applications would receive a letter of approval in Principle together with the Contribution Request Voucher (CRV) requesting the following:

The following documentation is to be submitted within a minimum 1 month before the visit for Oath of Allegiance)

F. OATH OF ALLEGIANCE & NATURALIZATION

Once the above documentation has been submitted, the authorities will issue a Letter of Invitation so that the applicant and dependents will come to Malta and take the Oath of Allegiance.

The applicants are requested to allow a minimum of 5 working days between taking of Oath of Allegiance and issuing of passports.

A fresh set of biometric data will be taken for each applicant.

Once passports are issued, the applicants will have to collect them in person from the authorities’ office.

F. OATH OF ALLEGIANCE & NATURALIZATION

Once the above documentation has been submitted, the authorities will issue a Letter of Invitation so that the applicant and dependents will come to Malta and take the Oath of Allegiance.

The applicants are requested to allow a minimum of 5 working days between taking of Oath of Allegiance and issuing of passports.

A fresh set of biometric data will be taken for each applicant.

Once passports are issued, the applicants will have to collect them in person from the authorities’ office.

G. TIMELINE GUIDE

Time

Before submission of MIIP Application Form e-Residence Card process takes approx. 1 month

Process

e-Residence Card

Main Features of the Process

Time

Once e-Residence Card has been issued

Process

MIIP Application

Main Features of the Process

Submission of all documentation for MIIP including the PRV

Time

120 Days

Process

In Principle Approval

Time

120 Days once the Letter of In Principle Approval has been issued

Process

Compliance (CRV)

Main Features of the Process

Time

Not less than 12 months from e-Residence Card

Process

Oath of Allegiance

Main Features of the Process

This publication has been prepared as a general guide and for information purposes only. It is not a substitution for professional advice. One must not rely on it without receiving independent advice based on the particular facts of his/her own case. No responsibility can be accepted by the authors or the publishers for any loss occasioned by acting or refraining from acting on the basis of this publication.

The Firm

Kinanis Fiduciaries Limited is a Maltese corporate service provider specializing in corporate and tax advice excelling in providing the international investor with a one-stop-shop solution in doing business through Malta.

The Services

Contact us

Kinanis Fiduciaries Limited

7A, Sir Luigi Camilleri Street

Sliema, SLM 1843

Tel: + 356 27 54 00 24

Fax: + 356 27 54 00 25

E-mail: [email protected]

Website: www.kinanis.com

Contact Person: Dr. Francesco Sultana