2024

Reading Time: 4 min

How to obtain a Malta Digital Nomad Visa without rush and stress to escape cold Canadian winters

When I addressed Immigrant Invest, I had already experienced a negative outcome with obtaining a visa for digital nomads. I spent a lot of time, energy, and effort on the Spanish Digital Nomad Visa but was still rejected.

Because of this, I did not have high hopes. However, after reading positive reviews about Immigrant Invest, I felt more confident and decided to try applying for a Digital Nomad Visa again.

Thanks to Immigrant Invest, I successfully obtained one in Malta. With their help, the process was much easier and less stressful.

Talia Cohen, 51

Marketing director from Canada

Clients’ names and photos have been changed

Malta Digital Nomad Visa for an expat from Canada

This case was provided by our expert

Igor Buglo

Head of the Maltese office, MBA

How to obtain a Malta Digital Nomad Visa without rush and stress to escape cold Canadian winters

Applicant’s background

Talia Cohen is a marketing director from Canada. She is divorced and has two adult children and a dog.

Talia had lived in Canada her whole life but eventually wanted to move to a warmer country. However, she did not want just any place offering a residence permit. Her chosen country needed to offer a high quality of life, like in Canada, and be welcoming to expats. It was also essential for English to be widely spoken.

A Digital Nomad Visa in southern Europe seemed like the perfect solution.

First attempt at obtaining a visa. Talia initially chose Spain. She explored the requirements, gathered all the documents, and applied at the consulate on her own. Despite her efforts, her application was rejected a month later.

The rejection left Talia devastated, and she abandoned the idea of moving abroad. After a year, and with her daughter’s encouragement, she decided to try again. This time, however, she sought the help of an immigration agent to ensure success.

On a forum for expats, Talia discovered Immigrant Invest. After reading positive reviews from people who had successfully obtained digital nomad visas with the assistance, she decided to reach out to them.

Consultation with Immigrant Invest

Talia contacted Immigrant Invest in early June 2024 and scheduled a consultation.

During the consultation, lawyers explained the possible reasons for the rejection of Talia’s application for the Spanish Digital Nomad Visa.

Spain has strict requirements for work conditions. For example, the employment contract must be concluded for at least 3 years. However, at the application point, Talia’s contract was valid for a year and required extension. Therefore, it did not fit the Digital Nomad Visa conditions.

Immigrant Invest lawyers suggested exploring digital nomad visas in other countries.

Benefits of the Malta Digital Nomad Visa. Talia quickly decided on the Nomad Residence Permit in Malta for several reasons:

pleasant climate — Talia looked forward to escaping the cold Canadian winters and spending time by the warm sea;
location — she could easily travel across Europe;
no income tax — as she works for a foreign company, she would not need to pay taxes on her income for the first year of holding residency;
English as an official language — Talia would not face any language barriers.

Talia also appreciated that the Maltese Nomad Residence Permit can be extended for up to four years.

Requirements for the Malta Digital Nomad Visa. To qualify, an applicant must meet the following criteria:

work remotely;
be employed or a director of a company registered outside Malta, or be a freelancer or self-employed;
earn a monthly income of at least €3,500;
rent or buy residential real estate for the permit’s duration;
have health insurance with a minimum coverage of €30,000.

Additional requirements include being over 18, coming from a non-EU and non-EEA country, and having no criminal record.

Talia met all the stipulated terms as she was officially employed in Canada, could work remotely, and earned twice as much as the required monthly threshold. Therefore, she signed an agreement with Immigrant Invest to pursue the Malta Nomad Residence Permit.

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Choosing residential real estate in Malta

Talia decided to rent real estate because she did not have enough funds to buy a property.

From the start, she knew she wanted to live in a coastal town, so she focused her search on St Julian’s, Sliema, and Valletta.

There were no minimum price requirements for the chosen housing, giving Talia the freedom to select any apartment that suited her. Immigrant Invest offered several properties, arranged meetings with owners, and accompanied Talia during the selection process.

In the end, Talia chose a two-bedroom apartment in Sliema for €1,400 per month. After signing the lease, she paid for the first and last months plus a one-month deposit, bringing the total to €4,200.

Step-by-step process of obtaining the Malta Nomad Residence Permit

The process of obtaining the Digital Nomad Visa took around 4 months. Immigrant Invest guided Talia through every stage, from document preparation to securing her residence permit.

In total, Talia spent €5,247.50 on her Malta remote work visa.

June 10th, 2024

Conclusion of a contract

Before signing the contract, Immigrant Invest specialists conducted preliminary Due Diligence to identify any risks of refusal and decrease them down to 1%.

A certified Anti-Money Laundering Officer reviewed Talia’s background, ensuring she had a legal income and no criminal record. After completing the check, Immigrant Invest signed the contract with her.

Before signing the contract, Immigrant Invest specialists conducted preliminary Due Diligence to identify any risks of refusal and decrease them down to 1%.

+ 2 weeks

Documents preparation

Immigrant Invest lawyers provided Talia with a list of required documents, including:

copies of her international passport;
a motivation letter explaining her reasons for moving to Malta;
a work contract;
a CV outlining her educational and professional background;
a 3-month bank statement proving an income of at least €3,500;
a divorce certificate.

Talia also voluntarily submitted a bank statement showing €20,000 in savings, though it was not mandatory.

Lawyers then filled out the necessary government forms.

Immigrant Invest lawyers provided Talia with a list of required documents, including:

copies of her international passport;
a motivation letter explaining her reasons for moving to Malta;
a work contract;
a CV outlining her educational and professional background;
a 3-month bank statement proving an income of at least €3,500;
a divorce certificate.

Talia also voluntarily submitted a bank statement showing €20,000 in savings, though it was not mandatory.

Lawyers then filled out the necessary government forms.

+ 1.5 weeks, €300

Application

Immigrant Invest lawyers submitted Talia’s application and documents online via the Residency Malta Agency website. She paid a €300 application processing fee.

+ 1 month

Preliminary approval

The Residency Malta Agency reviewed Talia’s background and documents, then approved her application. She was notified of the decision online.

+ 2 weeks, €27.50

Trip to Malta

After receiving preliminary approval, Talia booked a hotel in Valletta and traveled to Malta. As a Canadian citizen, she did not need a Schengen Visa to enter the country.

Upon Talia’s arrival, Immigrant Invest lawyers informed the Residency Malta Agency that she was ready to provide her fingerprints for the residency card.

At this stage, Talia paid a €27.50 fee for the card’s issuance.

After receiving preliminary approval, Talia booked a hotel in Valletta and traveled to Malta. As a Canadian citizen, she did not need a Schengen Visa to enter the country.

Upon Talia’s arrival, Immigrant Invest lawyers informed the Residency Malta Agency that she was ready to provide her fingerprints for the residency card.

At this stage, Talia paid a €27.50 fee for the card’s issuance.

+ 2.5 weeks, €4,200

Rental of a housing

Immigrant Invest lawyers helped Talia find a suitable property in Sliema and signed a 12-month lease agreement on her behalf.

Talia paid €2,800 for the first and the last month’s rent plus a deposit of €1,400 for one month.

Immigrant Invest lawyers helped Talia find a suitable property in Sliema and signed a 12-month lease agreement on her behalf.

Talia paid €2,800 for the first and the last month’s rent plus a deposit of €1,400 for one month.

Simultaneously with renting a property, €720

Purchase of health insurance

At the same stage, Talia purchased health insurance covering €30,000, costing her €720 for one year.

September 3rd, 2024

Issuance of a residence permit card

Talia received an email notification that her residence permit card was ready. She visited the Residency Malta office to collect it personally.

Talia’s life with the Maltese Digital Nomad Visa

With the Digital Nomad Visa, Talia has already moved to Malta with her dog and is enjoying life by the sea. Her apartment is so close to the beach that she swims every morning.

For the first time in years, Talia will spend the winter in a warm climate, and she is delighted that she will not need to wear layers of clothing. She also looks forward to traveling across Europe during the Christmas holidays and enjoying Christmas bazaars in different cities.

Talia loves Malta and her new life so much that she plans to extend her residence permit for at least another year. Immigrant Invest is ready to assist her with the process.

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