Malta Visa: Delayed for 3 Months — What’s the Reason?

"If it’s been three months since you applied for a Malta work visa and it hasn’t been issued yet, several factors could be causing the delay. Here’s a detailed breakdown:

1️⃣ Normal Processing Times

Malta work visas typically take 2–3 months to process.

Some cases may take longer depending on application type, workload at the authorities, or additional checks.

2️⃣ Common Reasons for Delays

Incomplete or incorrect documentation

Missing documents or mismatched information can cause a pause in processing.

Example: employment contract not properly certified, missing proof of qualifications, or insufficient financial documents.

Security and background checks

Malta may conduct background, criminal record, or employment verification checks.

This is routine but can add several weeks.

High application volume

During peak seasons or after policy changes, visa authorities may have backlogs.

Employer-related issues

If your employer submitted the work permit application (part of the process), delays on their side—like pending approvals—can affect your visa.

Additional requests or clarifications

Authorities sometimes ask applicants to provide extra documents. If you haven’t received a notice, it could still be under review.

3️⃣ What You Can Do

Check your application status online if the Malta visa portal allows.

Contact the Maltese consulate or Identity Malta (the agency handling work visas) for updates.

Verify with your employer that all submitted documents were correct and complete.

Be patient but proactive: If processing exceeds 4–5 months, follow up formally in writing.

???? Tip: Delays beyond 3 months are not unusual, especially for non-EU nationals. Most delays are due to documentation or verification checks, not outright rejection."