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Malta visit visa: Schengen tourist, business, and family
A Malta visit visa is the Schengen short stay visa that lets Indian travellers enter Malta for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. It covers tourism, business, visiting family or friends, and short study visits, and lets you travel across the Schengen area. It does not allow work or long study. A border officer decides entry.
Data current as of June 2026
Malta visit visa at a glance
What the Malta visit visa covers
A Malta visit visa, the Schengen short stay visa, lets Indian travellers come to Malta for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. One visa type covers many purposes.
It covers tourism, visiting family or friends, business and conferences, and short study or religious visits. Because Malta is in the Schengen area, the same visa lets you travel across all the Schengen countries, so the key is showing your real purpose and that you will return to India.
The visit visa does not allow paid employment in Malta or a long study program, which needs a national visa. Travel medical insurance of at least 30,000 EUR is mandatory, and from 1 January 2026 it must be from a High Commission approved company. This page is a full guide: the options, the costs, the documents, the insurance and passport rules, the application steps, what to do before you fly, and what to do once you arrive.
One mission decides, and insurance must be approved
Two points shape a Malta application from India: where the decision is made, and a 2026 insurance rule that causes avoidable refusals.
One mission, the High Commission in New Delhi
Malta has a single mission in India, the High Commission of Malta in New Delhi, with honorary consulates in Mumbai, Chennai, and Kolkata. You submit at VFS Global in your city, and all files are forwarded to New Delhi for the decision.
Insurance only from an approved company
From 1 January 2026, travel medical insurance is accepted only if it is issued by a company on the High Commission’s approved list. A policy from an unapproved provider is a frequent cause of immediate refusal, so check the latest list before you buy.
Source: High Commission of Malta and VFS Global Malta one-pager, current for 2026. The approved-insurer rule applies to applications lodged in India from 1 January 2026. The mission, consulates, and approved list can change, so confirm the current details before you apply.
What you can visit Malta for
All short visits to Malta run through one Schengen short stay visa. These are the main purposes Indian travellers apply under.
Tourist visit
Holidays and sightseeing across Valletta, Mdina, Gozo, and Comino, with onward Schengen trips.
90 in 180
Business visit
Meetings, conferences, and trade fairs with a company invitation. No paid work in Malta.
90 in 180
Family and friends
Visiting relatives or friends with an invitation and the host’s identity and residence proof.
90 in 180
Medical treatment
Arranged treatment at a Maltese facility, with a confirmation, a cost estimate, and proof you can pay.
As approved
Short study or religious
A course or religious visit of less than 90 days, with the relevant invitation or enrolment.
Under 90 days
Child or dependant
A child applies for their own Schengen visa, often with a parent, with a birth certificate and consent.
90 in 180
Not sure which purpose fits your trip?
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Malta short-stay visa options compared
Most short visits use the same Schengen short stay visa for different purposes. This table compares the main options for Indian travellers.
| Option | Who it is for | Typical stay |
|---|---|---|
| Tourist visit visa | Holidays, sightseeing, travel | 90 days in 180 |
| Business visit visa | Meetings, conferences, trade fairs | 90 days in 180 |
| Family or friends visit | Visiting relatives or friends | 90 days in 180 |
| Medical visit visa | Treatment at a Maltese facility | As approved |
| Short study or religious | Course or visit under 90 days | Under 90 days |
| Child or dependant | Children travelling with family | 90 days in 180 |
Source: High Commission of Malta and VFS Global Malta guidance, current for 2026. The tourist, business, family, medical, short study, and child or dependant routes all use the Schengen short stay visa, which also allows travel across the Schengen area. The 90 days in any 180-day period is shared across all Schengen countries. Rules can change.
For most travellers one Schengen visa serves several purposes and many countries, so the key is showing your genuine reason and your funds. We match you to the right option.
The 2026 approved-insurer rule
Malta added a strict insurance rule for applications from India in 2026. The figure below shows what makes a policy acceptable.
Source: High Commission of Malta and VFS Global Malta one-pager, current for 2026. From 1 January 2026, insurance for applications lodged in India is accepted only from a company on the High Commission’s approved list. It must cover at least 30,000 EUR across the whole Schengen area for your full stay, including medical emergencies, hospitalisation, and repatriation. Check the latest approved list on the VFS site before you buy.
Not sure if your insurer is on the approved list?
Get a free assessment and we will check your policy meets the Malta 2026 approved-insurer rule.
Documents you need for a Malta visit visa
A complete, consistent file is the single biggest factor you control. This table shows the core documents and the extras for each purpose.
| Document | Who needs it | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Passport and old passport | All applicants | Issued in last 10 years, no handwritten changes |
| Schengen application form | All applicants | Completed and signed, with a cover letter |
| Approved travel insurance | All applicants | Min 30,000 EUR, from an approved company |
| Funds and itinerary | All applicants | About 48 EUR a day, round-trip, accommodation |
| Invitation or company letter | Family and business visits | Host invitation, residence proof, dates |
| Birth certificate, consent | Child or dependant | Both parents sign; consent where needed |
Source: High Commission of Malta and VFS Global Malta checklist guidance, current for 2026. Your passport must be issued within the last 10 years, valid 3 months beyond your stay, with two blank pages, and your old passport is mandatory. Show three to six months of consistent bank statements, and a cover letter that explains your trip and funding. Requirements vary by case. Confirm the current checklist before you apply.
Strong, consistent documents that match your itinerary are what officers reward. We build and review your full file so it tells a clear, genuine story of your visit.
Want your documents checked before you apply?
Get a free assessment and we will review your file and insurance for gaps that lead to refusals.
Malta visit visa fees
Government fees for a Malta visit visa are set under Schengen rules and paid at VFS in Indian rupees. The table shows the main charges to plan for.
| Charge | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Schengen visa fee, adult | EUR 90 | Paid in INR; non-refundable |
| Child 6 to 11 | EUR 45 | Reduced fee; under 6 free of visa fee |
| VFS service charge | INR 2,931 | Per applicant; non-refundable |
| Travel insurance | From about EUR 30 | Min 30,000 EUR, approved company |
| Optional services | Varies | Courier, SMS, premium lounge |
Source: VFS Global Malta one-pager and High Commission of Malta fee guidance, current for 2026. The Schengen visa fee is EUR 90 for adults and EUR 45 for children 6 to 11, with under 6 free of the visa fee, paid in Indian rupees, non-refundable. The VFS service charge is about INR 2,931 per applicant, with optional courier, SMS, and premium lounge services extra. Charges can change, so confirm current amounts before you apply.
Budget for the visa fee, the VFS service charge, and mandatory approved Schengen insurance. We give you a clear, current cost picture before you apply.
What to do before you travel to Malta
A smooth trip starts before you fly. Get your documents, money, and plans in order so the border officer sees a genuine, well-prepared visitor.
Pack these
- Passport valid for your trip, with your visa sticker.
- Approved Schengen insurance for at least 30,000 EUR.
- Itinerary, accommodation, and return ticket.
- Funds proof or your host invitation if hosted.
Check these
- Your total Schengen days stay within 90 in 180.
- Your insurer is on the Malta approved list.
- Your passport has no handwritten alterations.
- You carry printed copies for the border officer.
Want a pre-travel checklist for Malta?
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The Malta visit visa application process
You prepare your file, submit at a VFS centre in India, and the application goes to the High Commission of Malta in New Delhi for the decision. Follow the steps in order so nothing is missed.
Complete the form
Fill the Schengen application and gather the checklist documents.
Approved insurance
At least 30,000 EUR from an approved company.
Show funds
Statements meeting about 48 EUR a day for your stay.
Book VFS
Appointment at the VFS Global centre for Malta near you.
Biometrics
Give fingerprints and a photo, pay the fees, and submit.
Decision
The High Commission decides, then you collect your passport.
Source: High Commission of Malta and VFS Global Malta, current for 2026. Steps and fees are set under Schengen rules and can change, and processing usually takes about 15 working days from when the High Commission receives the file, extending to 30, 45, or 60 days if extra documents or an interview are needed. A visa does not guarantee entry, since a border officer decides at arrival. Confirm current details before you apply.
Worried about the form or the insurance rule?
We prepare your application, approved insurance, and file, then guide the VFS submission so nothing slips.
Malta visit visa dos and donts
Small mistakes cause many refusals. These dos and donts keep your application honest and strong.
Do the right things
- Buy insurance from a Malta approved company.
- Show genuine funds at about 48 EUR a day.
- Submit your old passport with your application.
- Write a clear cover letter and match all dates.
- Apply early and book your VFS slot in advance.
- Respect the 90 days in any 180-day period rule.
Do not do these
- Do not buy insurance from an unapproved provider.
- Do not use a passport with handwritten alterations.
- Do not work in Malta or overstay your visa.
- Do not give false information or fake bookings.
- Do not hide a past visa refusal from any country.
- Do not make sudden large deposits before applying.
Source: High Commission of Malta and Schengen guidance, current for 2026. Insurance from an unapproved provider and passports with handwritten alterations are common, avoidable refusal reasons. False information or overstaying can lead to refusal and a ban across all Schengen countries. Rules can change, so confirm current details. Following them protects your record.
What to do once you are in Malta
A visit visa lets you do more than sightsee, within clear limits. Here is what you can and cannot do as a visitor.
You can
- Travel, sightsee, and visit family and friends.
- Attend meetings, conferences, and trade fairs.
- Take a short course of less than 90 days.
- Get medical treatment you have arranged.
- Travel onward to other Schengen countries.
- Stay within 90 days in any 180-day period.
You cannot
- Take up paid employment in Malta.
- Study a long or degree program.
- Stay beyond your 90 in 180 limit.
- Extend except for force majeure or serious reasons.
- Treat the visa as permission to settle.
At the border, an officer asks about your visit and checks your documents, so keep them ready. Track your time so your total stay across all Schengen countries stays within the 90 in 180 rule.
Source: High Commission of Malta and Schengen guidance, current for 2026. The 90 days in any 180-day period applies across the whole Schengen area, and you must leave before your visa expires. Extension is exceptional and decided by the Maltese authorities. Rules can change, so confirm current details before you rely on them.
Plans changing while in Malta?
Get a free assessment and we will explain your options and the right route for a longer stay.
How long you can stay and entry types
A Schengen short stay is limited and shared across the whole area. This table explains the stay, entry types, and multiple-entry options for frequent travellers.
| Item | Detail | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Maximum stay | 90 days in 180 | Shared across all Schengen countries |
| Validity | Trip plus a buffer | Visa sticker shows your exact dates |
| Entry type | Single, double, multiple | First-timers often single or double |
| Frequent travellers | 1, 3, or 5 years | Longer multi-entry for clean history |
| Refusal appeal | Within 15 days | Appeal the decision or reapply |
Source: High Commission of Malta and Schengen guidance, current for 2026. The 90 days in any 180-day period is calculated across the whole Schengen area, not just Malta. First-time applicants often receive single or double entry, and clean recent travel may earn a multiple-entry visa valid for one, three, or five years, assessed by the High Commission and not guaranteed. A refusal can be appealed within 15 days. Rules can change.
The short stay visa is for short visits, not for settling. If you want to work, study long term, or stay longer, a national visa through the Central Visa Unit of Malta is needed. We explain the entry options and the right path for your plans.
What officers look for, and refusal reasons
A Malta visit visa is approved when you show a genuine short visit, enough funds, approved insurance, and strong ties to India. Knowing what the High Commission checks helps you prepare.
Common refusal reasons include weak or inconsistent financial documents, funds below the daily guideline, insurance from an unapproved provider or below 30,000 EUR, a vague itinerary or purpose, gaps in accommodation, a passport with handwritten alterations, unclear ties to India, or doubts about your intention to return. Many cases can be reapplied, or appealed within 15 days.
A Malta visit visa is the Schengen short stay visa, applied for through VFS Global with biometrics and decided by the High Commission of Malta, costing EUR 90 for adults plus a VFS service charge. It needs approved travel insurance of at least 30,000 EUR and funds of about 48 EUR per day, covers tourism, business, family, medical, short study, and child or dependant travel, and allows up to 90 days in any 180-day period across the Schengen area. It does not allow work or long study.
Factual overview, verified against the High Commission of Malta and the VFS Global Malta one-pager, current for 2026. Fees, stay periods, and rules are set under Schengen rules and can change at any time. A visa does not guarantee entry.
Meeting the criteria improves your chances, but the final decision rests with the High Commission of Malta and the border officer. We give you a realistic view and help you build the strongest possible application.
Speak with BestMigrationConsultant.com about your Malta visit visa
Our immigration experts guide Indian applicants through every Malta visit visa, from tourist, business, and family visits to medical, short study, child, and dependant applications, including the Schengen form, fees, the approved-insurer rule, funds, and the passport rule. Call +91-7670800002 or visit BestMigrationConsultant.com, and start with a free assessment today.