ETIAS is a mandatory requirement for most non-EU citizens visiting Malta after late-2022. The small island country is one of the 26 Schengen member states and so it will use the ETIAS to prescreen visitors and ensure that its borders remain safe.
ETIAS Visa Waiver for Malta
ETIAS applications are completed online following a fast and painless application process. If you have a valid Malta passport, secure internet access, and an email address, you’re ready to apply. A fee of €7 will also be charged, and if the application is successful, authorization will be sent to your email within 72 hours.
ETIAS authorization remains valid for 3 years and as the application process is very fast and reliable, you can apply just a few days before your departure date.
With an ETIAS visa waiver, you will be granted access to Malta and 25 other Schengen member states for at least 90 days within any 180-day period. It’s more than enough time to explore the island and see all that it has to offer.
Do I Need an ETIAS Visa Waiver to Visit Malta?
It depends on your nationality, but if you reside outside of the EU and were previously allowed to visit EU countries without a visa, then you probably need an ETIAS. Some of the countries that will be eligible for this visa waiver program include the United Kingdom, South Korea, New Zealand, Hong Kong, Japan, Israel, and Colombia.
It’s also worth noting that the ETIAS is only valid from the end of 2022 onward. If you’re traveling before that date, you may not need an ETIAS visa waiver and should double-check before your book your flights.
Malta and the Schengen Visa
Malta is a beautiful island, but it’s also very small and has limited opportunities when it comes to long-term work and education. Some of the best schools within the Schengen Zone include institutes in the Netherlands, France, Belgium, Germany, Sweden, and Spain. You won’t find Malta on that list.
Still, there could be some opportunities here and if you want to stay for more than 90 days, you can apply for a Schengen Visa. The Schengen Visa will grant you access to all countries within the Schengen Zone. Depending on the terms of the visa, it could be used to work and study.
Visiting Malta with an ETIAS Visa Waiver
Malta is small, but it still spans dozens of square miles and “small” doesn’t mean that you can comfortably walk around the island.
Some of the must-see attractions include the capital city of Valletta, which is steeped in history and showcases the might and the wealth of the old Knights of Malta; the island of Gozo, which has pristine beaches and a small-town buzz, and the Blue Lagoon on the Island of Comino.