Study in Malta from Nepal and India
National long-stay (D) visa for studies, followed by a study residence permit (S.L. 217.22)
Non-EU students on courses longer than 90 days need a national D visa (€100) applied for at a visa centre at least 9 weeks before the course, showing funds of at least 75% of Malta's national minimum wage for every month of study; higher-education students (MQF level 5+) then apply for a €50 residence permit in Malta. Degree-level students may work up to 20 hours a week from their first year with a work permit, and graduates can get a permit of at least 9 months to look for work or start a business.
Malta student visa at a glance
- Money to show a year
- No fixed amount
- Work in term
- 20 hrs/wk
- Higher-education students (MQF 5+)
- Source: identita.gov.mt (opens the official website in a new tab)
- Stay after study
- 9 months
- Job-search / business permit
- Source: legislation.mt (opens the official website in a new tab)
Short answer: To study in Malta you apply for the National long-stay (D) visa for studies, followed by a study residence permit (S.L. 217.22). The main visa fee is EUR 100 (about NPR 16,990). No fixed funds amount is published; you show enough to cover your study and living costs. You can work up to 20 hours a week during term. Eligible bachelor's and master's graduates can get a post-study work stay of up to 9 months (rules and longer stays for some degrees below).
Check before you start
- This guide is for Nepali and Indian citizens applying from Nepal or India.
- You need an offer from a recognised institution. Check it on the official register in the sources below.
- Rules change often. Use the official links on this page to confirm before you pay or apply.
How much does it cost to study in Malta?
Two different kinds of money: fees you pay (gone once paid) and funds you show as evidence (they stay in your account). Never add them together.
You pay
Fees. Not refunded.
- Student national (D) visa – standard fee, age 12+EUR 100 one-offFor appointments within 3 weeks; €50 for ages 6–11, free under 6; paid by card.≈ NPR 16,990 · ₹10,609
- Student national (D) visa – extended fee (next-day appointment), age 12+EUR 150 one-off≈ NPR 25,485 · ₹15,913
- Residence permit for study (Expatriates Unit)EUR 50 one-offFor students on full-time higher-education courses (MQF level 5+) applying in Malta.≈ NPR 8,495 · ₹5,304
- Premium long-stay visa process (countries without a Maltese mission)EUR 300 one-offCovers all associated fees; application by email to the Central Visa Unit and passport sent by courier; usually 6–8 weeks.≈ NPR 50,970 · ₹31,826
- Visa Application Centre service fee – upper limitEUR 150 one-offVAC fees are charged on top of the visa fee and currently do not exceed the equivalent of €150.≈ NPR 25,485 · ₹15,913
You show
Evidence. It stays yours.
No fixed amount is published. The institution or embassy assesses your funds.
This money proves you can support yourself. It is not paid to anyone.
NPR and INR are estimates at Nepal Rastra Bank selling rates of 22 Oct 2026. Pay official fees only through the official channel.
What do I need for the Malta student visa?
- Which visa
- Courses longer than 90 days need a national long-stay (D) visa, including for visa-exempt nationals; it is valid for at most 365 days. Source: identita.gov.mt (opens the official website in a new tab)
- Where to apply
- At an authorised external service provider (visa application centre) after booking an appointment. Source: identita.gov.mt (opens the official website in a new tab)
- Timing and passport
- Apply at least 9 weeks before the course starts; your passport must be valid for 10 months. Source: identita.gov.mt (opens the official website in a new tab)
- Funds
- Last 3 months' bank statements plus a recent bank certificate showing at least 75% of the national minimum wage for every month of study; sponsors add their statements, a signed declaration and ID. Source: identita.gov.mt (opens the official website in a new tab)
- Enrolment letter
- Must give the institution and course names exactly as registered with MFHEA, the MQF level, ECTS, duration, weekly contact hours and proof of fee payment. Source: identita.gov.mt (opens the official website in a new tab)
- Insurance
- Schengen-valid medical and travel insurance of at least €30,000, valid for study; covering at least 91 days for MQF 5+ students, or the whole stay for MQF 4 and below. Source: identita.gov.mt (opens the official website in a new tab)
- Other documents
- Signed form, ICAO photo, VFS appointment letter, copy of the bank card you will use in Malta, flight itinerary (arrival at most two weeks before the course) and 14 nights' accommodation; all in English. Source: identita.gov.mt (opens the official website in a new tab)
- Processing time
- Through a visa centre the Central Visa Unit typically reviews files in about 4 weeks; the policy gives 6–8 weeks overall; an interview may be held. Source: identita.gov.mt (opens the official website in a new tab)
- Residence permit in Malta
- Students on full-time MQF 5+ courses apply online via the Expatriates Unit portal and in person before their visa expires; passport valid at least 6 months. Source: identita.gov.mt (opens the official website in a new tab)
- Insurance exemption
- Students of the University of Malta, MCAST or the Institute of Tourism Studies are exempt from the health-insurance requirement for the residence permit. Source: identita.gov.mt (opens the official website in a new tab)
- Attendance monitoring
- Schools must report non-arrivals and unjustified absences and may have to send monthly attendance records; Identità and police can inspect schools. Source: identita.gov.mt (opens the official website in a new tab)
The official checklist asks for a flight itinerary (arriving at most two weeks before your course) and 14 nights’ accommodation. Source: Identità student national visa checklist (opens the official website in a new tab)
If the consulate accepts a reservation document, Yatra For Fun, our travel company, can prepare one so you don’t pay for travel before your visa is decided. Ask the consulate or visa centre first if you are unsure.
Can I work while studying in Malta?
- Higher-education students (MQF 5+)
- Up to 20 hours a week from the first year of study; apply for a work permit once your residence permit is issued; jobs related to your studies are viewed more favourably. Source: identita.gov.mt (opens the official website in a new tab)
- Other courses over 90 days
- Up to 20 hours a week only after the first three months of study, subject to Jobsplus conditions and sector limits. Source: identita.gov.mt (opens the official website in a new tab)
Can I stay and work after graduating?
- Job-search / business permit
- After completing studies, graduates can get a residence permit for at least nine months to seek employment or set up a business, on proof of their higher-education qualification. Source: legislation.mt (opens the official website in a new tab)
- Working after studies
- To work after studies you need an employment licence and must meet its conditions. Source: European Commission (opens the official website in a new tab)
What is different for Nepali and Indian students?
From Nepal
- Check the college first
- The Central Visa Unit only processes students whose school has first sent it a list of accepted students, and clearance is not visa approval — confirm your institution and course are registered with MFHEA before paying fees. Source: identita.gov.mt (opens the official website in a new tab)
- Translations
- All documents must be in English; translations must come from Identità's approved list of translators. Source: identita.gov.mt (opens the official website in a new tab)
From India
- Check the college first
- The Central Visa Unit only processes students whose school has first sent it a list of accepted students, and clearance is not visa approval — confirm your institution and course are registered with MFHEA before paying fees. Source: identita.gov.mt (opens the official website in a new tab)
- Translations
- All documents must be in English; translations must come from Identità's approved list of translators. Source: identita.gov.mt (opens the official website in a new tab)
What are the top universities in Malta?
The 1 highest-placed universities in Malta in THE World University Rankings 2027, in that order. Rankings measure research and reputation, not whether a course suits you. Check entry rules, fees and the course on each official site. Checked 22 Oct 2026.
1. University of Malta
Msida · Public university · Full degrees in English
Known for: Arts · Economics, Management & Accountancy · Health Sciences · Medicine & Surgery · Social Wellbeing · Laws
Official website (opens the official website in a new tab)Faculties and schools (opens the official website in a new tab)Register: MFHEA self-accrediting provider (constituted under the Education Act, Cap. 327) (opens the official website in a new tab)
801–1000THE WUR 2027
What do international students study in Malta?
The most-studied fields, from official enrolment statistics. No official breakdown for Nepali or Indian students is published, so these figures cover international students.
International students
Business, administration & law
37.2% of 7,920 mobile students from abroad (2,947), academic year 2023/24
Source: European Commission (opens the official website in a new tab)Health and welfare
30.3% of mobile students from abroad (2,399), 2023/24
Source: European Commission (opens the official website in a new tab)Social sciences, journalism & information
9.5% of mobile students from abroad (753), 2023/24
Source: European Commission (opens the official website in a new tab)Services
7.9% of mobile students from abroad (627), 2023/24
Source: European Commission (opens the official website in a new tab)
Check these yourself
We could not confirm these on an official page when we last checked, so we do not state them as facts.
- The exact funds figure — 75% of Malta’s current national minimum wage for each month of study; check the minimum wage on gov.mt.
- Which visa application centre serves Nepali applicants and whether Nepal falls under the €300 premium process for countries without a Maltese mission.
- MFHEA register of licensed institutions and any official warnings about unlicensed colleges.
- Exact length of the post-study permit in practice (the law says at least nine months).
- Tuition fees for non-EU students (no official national figure opened).
Official sources for Malta
Government and official pages we use for this guide, checked .
- 1Identità – Central Visa Unitimmigration_authority · National visa authority
- 2Identità – Student visastudent_visa · Student visa hub
- 3Identità – Courses exceeding 90 daysstudent_visa · D visa via external service provider
- 4Identità – Required documents, student national visa (PDF v2.1, 13.08.2025)funds · Funds 75% of minimum wage/month; fees €100/€150; insurance
- 5Identità – CVU applicable feesfee · Fee Ordinance L.N. 287 of 2020 (no amounts on page)
- 6Identità Expatriates Unit – Study residence permitsresidence_permit · €50 fee; S.L. 217.22
- 7Identità – Student visa employmentwork · 20 hours/week rules
- 8Identità – Extension of stayextension · D visa max 365 days; residence permit
- 9Identità – Long-stay visa policypolicy · Premium (€300) and VAC processes; timelines
- 10Identità – General rules and obligations (schools)policy · School student lists, attendance monitoring
- 11S.L. 217.22 (legislation.mt)post_study · Reg. 22: at least 9 months job search
- 12EU Immigration Portal – Student in Maltaeu_portal · Overview (dated 1 Apr 2025; older €27.50 fee)
- 13Jobspluslabour · Employment licences
Planning to study in Malta?
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General information from official government sources — not legal or immigration advice, and not a guarantee of admission, scholarship, employment or visa approval. Rules change: always confirm on the official site before you apply.