Factsheet for measure
MT-2025-1/3818
– measures in Malta
Specialist Employee Initiative
Background information
The Specialist Employee Initiative (SEI) Single Work Permit is a new measure that will offer fast-tracked processing for highly skilled third-country nationals who may not qualify for the Key Employee Initiative (KEI), but who possess the relevant academic, vocational, or technical qualifications aligned with their job offer in Malta.
The KEI was introduced in 2016 as a fast-tracked service aimed to facilitate the issue of a work/residence permit for those who have received a job offer in Malta for a managerial or highly technical position and have an annual gross salary of at least €35,000 per annum.
Content of measure
The Specialist Employee Initiative (SEI) represents a targeted fast-track mechanism within Malta’s labour migration policy framework, designed to facilitate the issuance of Single Permits to third-country nationals (TCNs) who do not meet the eligibility criteria of the Key Employee Initiative (KEI), but who nonetheless fulfil the general requirements which governs the Single Permit Regulations.
This initiative is restricted to TCNs who have secured a formal employment offer and hold a signed contract with a company registered in Malta. To qualify under the SEI, applicants must demonstrate a minimum annual gross salary of €25,000. Additionally, they must satisfy one of the following academic or vocational thresholds: either possession of a qualification at Malta Qualifications Framework (MQF) Level 6 or higher in a field directly related to the job offered, or possession of lower-level qualifications—below MQF Level 6—that are nonetheless directly relevant to the role, accompanied by at least three years of work experience in a comparable position.
Use of measure
No information available yet.
Target groups
Actors and funding
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Actors
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Funding
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National government
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No special funding required
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Social partners
Social partners' role in
designing the measure
and form of involvement:
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Trade unions
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Employers' organisations
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Role
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Unknown
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Unknown
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Form
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Not applicable
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Not applicable
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Social partners' role in the
implementation, monitoring and assessment phase:
-
Unknown
-
Main level of involvement: N/A
Involvement
It is unclear how social partners were involved in this measure. The measure was announced by the Government and is managed by Identità, Malta's agency in charge of aspects related to residence. It is however worth noting that the Malta Chamber's Policy Recommendations to Malta's National Workforce Strategy (2021) highlighted the need for 'fiscal incentives aimed to attract individuals in possession of critical skills e.g. expanding the parameters of the Key Employment Initiative scheme.' Similar arguments have been highlighted by other employer associations.
Views and reactions
Specific views and reactions to this measure were not identified. However, an article highlighting the impact of Identità and the measures it has introduced, including the SEI, on the Malta Chamber of SME's website highlighted the close involvement between it and social partners, including the Malta Chamber of SMEs.
Sources
