As of Monday, 5 January 2026, the Maltese government launched Skills Pass, an online portal through which a new pre-departure integration course can be completed. Effective Sunday, 1 March 2026, third-country nationals will be required to complete this course before applying for a Single Work Permit. The initiative aims to ensure that anyone coming to Malta for employment meets basic skills standards, in addition to having English language proficiency and awareness of Maltese culture. The course fee is USD 290 (€250).
The course consists of two parts. The first part is mandatory for all first-time Single Work Permit applicants. It includes the modules “Living & Working in Malta” and “Rights and Obligations at the Workplace,” each followed by an assessment. Combined, these two modules are expected to take 20–24 hours of learning and must be completed within 42 days. Upon completing the modules, applicants may need to attend a 20-minute online interview to assess whether they have understood the course content and possess sufficient English language proficiency. Upon successful completion of both the online modules and the interview, a Pre-Departure Course Certificate will be issued.
The second part of the course applies only to certain occupations that require additional, sector-specific training. At present, this requirement applies only to the tourism and hospitality sectors; however, other sectors may introduce similar requirements in the future. The modules and assessments for these sectors will be designed by the respective sector bodies, following guidelines provided by the Skills Pass Unit. Successful completion of Part 2 may result in the issuance of a Skills Pass.
While integration courses for foreigners moving to a new country are not uncommon, they are usually expected to be completed post-arrival. Malta’s new rule, which makes completion of the integration course a prerequisite for applying for a Single Work Permit, underscores the government’s strong commitment to achieving full integration of its foreign workforce from day one in the country.
