Second citizenship options have rapidly gained popularity over the years. In particular, the Malta citizenship by investment programme was initially designed to attract only high-net-worth individuals (HNIs) and ultra-high-net-worth individuals (UHNIs). However, with the growing economies globally, travel restrictions, and various other reasons, more and more people are now considering dual citizenship.
Through the Malta Citizenship by Naturalisation for Exceptional Services by Direct Investment, families can enjoy Maltese citizenship benefits for a lifetime.
What are the steps you can take to become a citizen of Malta?
Steps to Acquire Malta Citizenship
The Malta Citizenship by Naturalisation for Exceptional Services by Direct Investment is an exclusive path to Citizenship by Naturalisation. It is a certificate or regulations permit granted to highly talented, high-net-worth individuals and families who can contribute to the economic development of Malta.
Here are the steps from the start of the application to the issuance of the Malta Passport:
Step #1: Give Power of Attorney to the Agent
The applicant gives the Agent a power of attorney to act on his behalf for the entire application process.
Step #2: Establish Residency in Malta
The Agent performs Tier 1 due diligence on the prospective applicant and submits the Residency application. The applicant and any dependents (if there are any) must apply for a residence card to obtain residency in Malta. For the applicant and the dependents to get the residence card, the Community Malta Agency (CMA or the Agency) performs a Tier 1 due diligence and obtains initial police clearance.
If residency is approved, the applicant is issued a permanent residence card. The applicant must visit Malta to submit biometric data for the issuance of the residence card.
Step #3: Establish Citizenship Eligibility
The Agent submits the citizenship eligibility application to the CMA within 12 months of the residency card issuance. The CMA will revoke the residency card if the application is not submitted within such a time frame.
The Agent will then submit birth and marriage certificates to the Public Registry and Passport Office. The Government Agency performs a Tier 2 due diligence and ensures the correctness and completeness of the application.
The Government Agency further conducts Tier 3 & Tier 4 due diligence. It presents the application and its findings to the Minister. On the Minister’s instructions, the Government Agency informs the Agent of the Minister’s decision if the applicant is eligible to apply for Maltese citizenship.
Step #4: Apply for the Maltese Citizenship
After 12 months or 36 months, depending on the applicant’s chosen contribution level, the Agent presents the citizenship application to CMA. The Agency further updates its due diligence on the applicant and submits its final findings to the Minister.
The Agency informs the Agent about the Minister’s decision if the applicant can be granted Maltese citizenship on the Minister’s instructions.
Step #5: Fulfil Investment Requirements
After the approval of the application, the applicant fulfils the Exceptional Investment, Donation and Property requirements.
Step #6: Take Oath of Allegiance
The applicant is invited to come to Malta to take the Oath of Allegiance.
The applicant is granted Maltese citizenship and issued a Certificate of Naturalisation and a Maltese Passport. After the approval of the Maltese citizenship application, the Agent submits an annual compliance form to the Community Malta Agency. They conduct continuous monitoring for five years after attaining citizenship.
Suggested reading: Reasons to Choose Malta as your Second Home
Whether single individuals or young married couples, families or retirees, middle-class professionals or investors, all are willing to make the necessary financial contributions and investments to secure their future.
Endevio can guide you through the Malta Citizenship by Naturalisation for Exceptional Services by Direct Investment process from start to finish. We assist you in identifying your level of contribution towards Malta and establish our fees before we proceed with the application. We have a dedicated team who will work on your Malta citizenship application from Malta.