Getting a student visa to study in Malta can be a game-changer for Nigerian students looking to pursue higher education abroad. If you’ve been dreaming of attending college in a beautiful, Mediterranean country, Malta might be the perfect fit. So, how do you get a Malta student visa from Nigeria?
In this article, we’ll talk about the requirements, fees, and eligibility for a student visa to Malta. We’ll give you an insider’s view of the process, so you can start planning your big move.
But first, we will talk about how easy or challenging getting this student visa is.
Table of contents
- Is a Malta student visa easy to get?
- Is Malta open for Nigerians?
- How much is the Malta visa fee in Nigeria?
- What do I need for a Malta student visa from Nigeria?
- How much bank balance is required for a Malta student visa?
- How to get Malta student visa from Nigeria
- How long does it take to process Malta student visa?
- Malta student visa success rate
- Malta student visa rejection rate
- FAQs
- Conclusion
- References
- Recommendations
Is a Malta student visa easy to get?
Getting a Malta student visa might take some effort, but it’s definitely possible! Easy, too! To have a good chance of being approved, you need to show that you’re serious about studying in Malta.
That means having good grades, speaking English well, and having the money to support yourself while you’re there.
The country wants international students, so if you meet these requirements, you can get your visa. It’s not a walk in the park, but if you’re determined and put in the work, you can make it happen!
Read: How To Get Luxembourg Student Visa From Nigeria | Requirements, Fees and Eligibility
Is Malta open for Nigerians?
Yes, Malta is open for Nigerians! The Malta Permanent Residence Programme allows people from outside the EU, like Nigerians, to get a permanent residence permit in Malta. This gives them lots of benefits, including being able to live in Malta and travel to other countries in the Schengen area without a visa.
So, if you’re a Nigerian interested in moving to Malta, the Malta Permanent Residence Programme can help you do that!
How much is the Malta visa fee in Nigeria?
If you’re a Nigerian student applying for a Schengen visa to study in Malta, you’ll need to pay €70 (euros).
For children aged 6 to 12, the fee is €45, and if your child is under 6, there is no fee. If you’re from Armenia, Russia, or Azerbaijan, you’ll pay a discounted fee of €35.
So, if you’re paying in Nigerian Naira, the amount you have to pay may vary depending on the exchange rate at the time.
For a long-stay visa, the fee is €100, while for a work permit, it’s €280.50. Now, who doesn’t need to pay the visa fee? If you’re a citizen of an EU, EEA (European Economic Area), or Swiss country, you’re exempt from paying the visa fee.
And here’s a pro tip: always check the official website of the Maltese Embassy or Consulate in Nigeria for the latest visa fees. They might change over time!
What do I need for a Malta student visa from Nigeria?
If you’re a Nigerian student wanting to study in Malta for more than three months (90 days), here’s what you need to do:
- You’ll need to apply for a student visa at the closest Maltese Consulate. Be prepared to appear in person if asked.
- It can take up to two months for your Maltese student visa to be issued.
- Your student visa allows you to stay in Malta longer than a visit visa. How long you can stay depends on your study program.
- You can’t get a visa if you’re a non-EU/EEA student applying for part-time day or evening courses in Malta.
- Once you arrive in Malta and register, you must apply for an e-Residence Permit if you plan to stay for more than 90 days.
- Consulate appointments might take 4-6 weeks to schedule due to limited availability. After the appointment, visa processing can take another 1-4 weeks. So, it may take up to 9 weeks from when you submit your application until your visa is issued.
What documents are required for Malta student visa?
Here’s the Malta student visa document checklist:
- Passport: Your passport needs to be valid for 6 months beyond your visa expiration date, with 2 blank pages at the end.
- Passport Photos: You’ll need two recent (last 3 months) passport-sized photos.
- Letter of Admission: You’ll need proof of acceptance from the college you’ll be attending in Malta.
- Flight Reservation: This document includes your bio-data, airline, arrival and departure dates in Malta.
- Schengen Medical Insurance: You’ll need a certificate from a health insurance policy that covers risks of at least 30,000 Euros.
- Bank Statement: You’ll need to provide 6 months of bank statements to prove that you have the funds to cover your stay and study costs in Malta.
- Letter from Sponsor (if applicable): If someone else is paying for your education, you’ll need a letter from them outlining their responsibilities to you.
- Educational Documents: You’ll need to provide various educational documents such as transcripts, certificates, diplomas, etc. to prove your educational background.
- Visa Application Form: You’ll need to fill out the visa application form completely and accurately.
Also, see: How To Apply For New Zealand Student Visa From Nigeria | Eligibility and Requirements
How much bank balance is required for a Malta student visa?
If you’re applying for a student visa to Malta, you need to provide a bank statement or money transfer receipts that show transactions from the past three months.
The bank statement must show that you have at least 854 Euros (or the equivalent in your currency) for each month that you plan to stay in Malta.
Note that a bank certificate showing only your bank balance won’t be accepted, so make sure to submit a detailed bank statement that includes all your transactions.
Here’s more information about the bank balance requirements for a Malta student visa:
- The 854 Euros requirement is based on the estimated living costs in Malta, which covers expenses like accommodation, food, transport, and other daily necessities.
- If you have a sponsor who is covering your expenses, you’ll still need to show the required amount in your bank account and include a letter from your sponsor outlining their responsibilities to you.
- If you’re not able to show the required amount in your bank account, your visa application may be rejected.
- Your bank balance should be maintained for a minimum of three months before your visa application, and should not be the result of recent deposits.
- If you have scholarships or other sources of financial support, you should provide relevant documents as proof of financial support.
- If you have any questions or concerns about the bank balance requirements, it’s best to contact the Maltese Consulate or Embassy in your country for clarification and assistance.
How to get Malta student visa from Nigeria
Here’s a step-by-step guide to applying for a Malta student visa from Nigeria:
1. Choose Your School and Apply
First things first, pick the university or institution in Malta you want to study at. Apply to them and get an acceptance letter. This letter is like a golden ticket showing they’ll be your academic home in Malta.
2. Download and Fill Out the Visa Application
Head online and download the Maltese student visa application form. Fill out all the questions carefully and print a copy for yourself.
3. Gather Your Documents
This is where you’ll collect all the documents needed to prove you’re a good fit for a student visa. We covered these in detail earlier, but here’s a quick reminder:
- Valid Passport (with at least 6 months validity after your visa expires and 2 blank pages)
- Recent Passport Photos (2)
- School Acceptance Letter
- Proof of Travel (flight reservation to Malta)
- Valid Schengen Medical Insurance
- Proof of Financial Support (bank statements or sponsor documents)
- School Documents (transcripts, certificates, etc.)
4. Submit Your Application
There are two options for submitting your application:
- VFS Global Office: This is a service company that works with embassies. You can find the VFS Global office closest to you in Nigeria. Submit all your documents and the visa application fee there. They might even be able to deliver your passport and visa back to you by courier once it’s processed.
- Maltese Embassy: You can also submit your application directly at the Maltese embassy in Nigeria. Make sure to check their website or call them to see if they require an appointment.
5. Wait for Processing and Decision
Once you’ve submitted everything, be patient! It can take up to two months for your Maltese student visa application to be processed.
6. Collect Your Passport (if Approved)
If your visa is approved, you can pick up your passport with the visa attached from either VFS Global (if you used them) or the Maltese embassy (depending on where you submitted your application).
See Also: Federal Government Scholarship For Nigerian Students | A Guide To Win FSB Award
How long does it take to process Malta student visa?
The processing time for a Malta student visa usually takes around four weeks. Once your visa is approved, you’ll be allowed to stay in Malta for the duration of your course. After graduation, you can extend your stay in Malta for up to one year to continue studying if you wish.
During the four-week processing time, the Maltese authorities will review your application and supporting documents, like your passport, financial proof, and academic qualifications.
Remember, it’s important to apply for your visa well in advance of your planned travel date to ensure you have enough time for processing.
Malta student visa success rate
Malta is known for having one of the highest visa success rates, with more than 95% of student visa applications approved. This means that your chances of getting a visa to study in Malta are really high, compared to other countries.
This is great news for students who are looking to study in Malta because it means that the visa process is much less stressful and you’re more likely to be able to start your studies on time.
It’s a huge relief knowing that your hard work and planning have a good chance of being rewarded with a student visa!
Malta student visa rejection rate
Although Malta has a very high student visa approval rate, not everyone’s application gets approved. A small percentage of applications, between 5 to 10%, are rejected for various reasons.
These reasons can be anything from minor mistakes in your application to more serious issues like insufficient funds or a lack of proof of enrollment at a Maltese university.
If your application is rejected, you can try to appeal the decision or reapply after addressing any issues that may have caused the rejection. But it’s always best to make sure your application is as complete and accurate as possible, to give yourself the best chance of success.
FAQs
Malta doesn’t have any diplomatic missions, like embassies or consulates, in Abuja, Nigeria right now. For your visa application, you’ll need to visit the nearest Maltese Embassy or Consulate. Here are the locations of the closest ones to Abuja:
Maltese Embassy in Rabat, Morocco
Maltese Embassy in Tunis, Tunisia
Maltese Consulate in Lagos, Nigeria
You can work in Malta after 90 days of your study visa if you have a valid extended study visa and employment license. The employment license will allow you to work for a limited number of hours and is usually approved based on your employment contract. You need to apply for the license through the Employment and Training Corporation in Malta.
Conclusion
Applying for a Malta student visa from Nigeria involves a straightforward but detailed process. You must first choose and apply to a university in Malta, then download and fill out the visa application form. After that, you need to gather and submit the required documents, like your passport, financial proof, and academic qualifications. The processing time for a Malta student visa usually takes around four weeks, and your family members can join you in Malta with the proper visa application.
References
- visaguide.world – Malta Student Visa Fees
- sbm.edu.mt – HOW TO PROCESS A STUDENT VISA FOR MALTA FROM NIGERIA
- gbs.edu.mt – Malta Student Visa