Citizenship by Investment Malta

Introduced at the beginning of 2014, the Malta Individual Investor Programme (IIP)offers

high and ultra-high net worth individuals and families worldwide citizenship in a highly
respected EU Member Country. Malta has been a member of the European Union since 2004,
enjoys a stable political climate, bi-partisan political scene, growing economy, and has some of
the soundest banks in the world. The Malta IIP is the first investment citizenship program of its
kind to be recognized by the European Commission, and the executive body of the European
Union has formally acknowledged the legality of the program paving the way for its success. The
Malta citizenship by investment application process is extremely efficient, and the government of
Malta is committed to the highest standard of due diligence and vetting of investor applicants
ensuring only persons of impeccable standing and repute will be admitted.
Successful candidates will be granted citizenship in Malta by a Certificate of Naturalization,
which can also be extended to include their families. Once a candidate is awarded Malta
citizenship, which includes EU citizenship, they have the right of establishment in all 28 EU
countries and Switzerland. They also have the ability to set up business in Malta, and can get a
Malta passport enabling them to enjoy visa-free travel to more than 160 countries across the
world including the United States.
UPDATE: As of May 2015, the Individual Investor Program has received over 585 Malta
passport applications on behalf of investors from more than 40 different countries. As of this
date, the IIP Malta is still accepting new applications but the program is firmly
capped at 1,800 participants, so we encourage you to act fast.

Eligibility for Individual Investor Programme Malta

An amendment passed in 2013 to Chapter 188 of the Maltese Citizenship Act, as well as the
enactment of Legal Notice LN47 in 2014, legally grant eligible persons EU citizenship by
investment via the Malta Individual Investor Program. To be considered eligible for the Malta
citizenship scheme, the main applicant must be at least 18 years of age and must meet all the
Malta immigration requirements outlined below.
Fit and Proper Test
The Malta citizenship by investment program has some of the strictest due diligence standards of
any immigrant investor program in the world to ensure only deserving and reputable applicants
are granted Maltese citizenship. As part of the Malta Individual Investor Programme, there is a
four-tier due diligence process carried out directly by the government to assess candidates
comprehensively. Applicants must have a clean criminal record, and the Malta
government conducts extensive criminal checks with INTERPOL, the International Criminal
Court, and various other sources and authorities. As part of the due diligence process, applicants
must also provide a police certificate before they will be approved for European citizenship.
Good Health
To be admitted into the citizenship by investment program Malta, applicants must show that they
do not suffer from any contagious diseases. All applicants must also be covered by an
international health insurance policy.

Financial Contribution
All individuals and families applying to the Malta Individual Investor Program must make a
significant non-refundable contribution to the National Development and Social Fund set up by
the Government of Malta and run by a board of trustees. The fund, which is on the same level as
the central bank, finances projects in the country linked to public health, education, job creation,
social improvement, and innovation. The following contributions must be made within four
months of being issued a Malta IIP Letter of Approval in Principle: 
Main applicant - €650,000 
Spouse - €25,000 
Minor children - €25,000 each 
Children 18-26 (unmarried) - €50,000 each 
Dependent parents & grandparents - €50,000 each 
Adult children (physically or mentally challenged) - €50,000 each

Real Estate Purchase or Rental

Applicants must commit to retaining an immovable residence in Malta for a minimum time
period of five years. This can be done by either buying a property in Malta for at least €350,000
and maintaining ownership for 5+ years, or by leasing a property for five years or more with a
minimum annual rent of €16,000. Applicants must provide evidence of owning or leasing a
property on the islands within four months of receiving a citizenship Malta Letter of Approval in
Principle.
Bonds Investment
Before a person can be admitted for Maltese citizenship by investment, applicants are required to
invest at least €150,000 in government approved financial instruments (bonds, stocks, and
debentures that benefit the nation) and must commit to keeping the investment for at least five
years.

Residence Requirement
Upon purchasing real estate or entering a property lease in Malta, investor citizenship candidates
are issued a Malta identity document called an eResidence card. This signifies the
commencement of their residency in Malta and also demonstrates the candidate's genuine
link with the country. 12 months after an applicant has established residency in Malta,
applicants who have maintained residence in the country will be granted citizenship. You do not
need to spend all 365 days in Malta before citizenship is granted, Maltese law defines residence
as "an intention to reside in Malta for any fiscal year, usually evidenced by a stay of a minimum of
183 days or by the purchase/rental of property together with a visit to Malta". Consequently,
upon purchasing or leasing an apartment or villa in the Mediterranean island nation and
procuring a Malta residence card, applicants are not required to spend any time in Europe.
Candidates who have been a resident of the country for at least one year prior to I.I.P. approval
already satisfy this residency requirement and can subsequently become a citizen of Malta much
faster.

Malta Citizenship Scheme Application Timeline

Malta Residency: Potential candidates who are not already resident in the country are strongly
advised to begin the Malta residency process immediately since the Individual Investor
Programme has a 12-month residency requirement. To be granted citizenship in Malta as fast as
possible, it is very important that the clock is ticking on an applicant's residency requirement
while they progress through the Malta citizenship application process. Upon initiation of a
nominee's residency in Malta, a small deposit of €5,000 for the primary applicant and €1,000 for
each family member is due on account of the National Development and Social Fund
contribution.
Day 1: A Malta Individual Investor Program application is formally submitted to Identity Malta
by an Accredited Person. The application will contain imperative supporting documents, and
evidence of source of funds must also be presented at this stage. The following fees are now due: 

Due Diligence Fees 

Principal applicant - €7,500 
Spouse - €5,000 
Minor dependents (aged 0-12) - no fee 
Minor dependents (aged 13-17) - €3,000 each 
Adult dependents - €5,000 each 

Malta Passport Fees 

All candidates - €500 each 

Bank Charges 
Per application - €200 

A total deposit of €10,000 is now due towards the monetary contribution. Any deposit made
when applying for Maltese residency counts towards this amount.
Day 5: Identity Malta will notify the concessionaire or Accredited Person within five business
days of submission to confirm whether client's application has been accepted for review or
requires additional paperwork.
Day 90: Confirmation from Identity Malta that the application and supporting documentation
are formally in order. The candidate is subject to a further 30 days of additional verification by
the Government of Malta's regulatory body.
Day 120: Applicant is approved in principle. This signifies official Malta IIP approval conditional
only on the candidate fulfilling all their remaining obligations under the Maltese nationality
program for investors.
Day 125: Identity Malta sends the applicant a formal request for payment of remaining balance
of National Development and Social Fund contribution. The candidate has 20 days to pay the full
amount.
Day 145: Maltese IIP financial contribution deadline. The entire National Development and
Social Fund contribution must be made by this time.
Day 240: Final citizenship by investment Malta compliance. Applicant must provide evidence of
€150,000 bonds investment as well as a Malta real estate purchase or rental.
Issuance of Naturalisation Certificate: Once an applicant has fulfilled all their obligations
under the Malta Individual Investor Program and taken an Oath of Allegiance, they will be issued
a Certificate of Naturalisation and given a Malta Passport.
If you are interested in learning more about the Malta citizenship by investment
program, please contact our team for a confidential consultation.

Tax Consequences of Citizenship in Malta

Obtaining European citizenship by investment through the Malta investor program does not
have any tax consequences! Even if an individual moves their primary residence to Malta,
they can retain the status of a "non-domiciled" person and therefore have an extremely
advantageous tax exposure. Candidates that become a resident of Malta but are not domiciled in
the country are only required to pay tax on any income they earn or receive in the country. Malta
has no municipal taxes, no estate duty, no death or inheritance taxes, and no wealth or net worth
taxes. Malta also has double taxation treaties with approximately 60 countries around the world.
The corporate tax rate in Malta is 35%, but special tax concessions apply to non-resident or non-
domiciled company owners.

Dual Citizenship Malta

Individuals that obtain a second citizenship by investment are not required by Maltese law
to renounce their existing citizenship. Malta has no restrictions on holding dual nationality, in
fact, the nation's Citizenship Act specifically provides that Malta dual citizenship is permitted,
but your current country of citizenship may have restrictions that prohibit you from possessing a
Malta second passport.

Will My Future Children/Grandchildren Be European Citizens?

Any child born to a parent who is a Maltese citizen will also be a citizen of Malta. This means
children born to men or women who obtained Maltese nationality via the Individual Investor
Program will be full European citizens even if their place of birth is not in Europe. Consequently,
if your family participates in the Malta investor program then when your children grow up and
have families of their own your grandchildren will also have EU passports. Participating
in the Maltese citizenship program will gift future generations of your family with increased
political and economic freedom, as well as significantly increased educational opportunities in
the West. Many investors cite “family legacy” and “providing a better life for children and
grandchildren” as senior influences in their decision to sponsor their family for second
citizenship in Malta.

Is Malta Investment Citizenship Permanent?

Malta citizenship through investment is granted by a Certificate of Naturalisation, and once you
obtain EU citizenship via the Malta Individual Investor Program you will have it forever and can
even pass it on to future generations.

How Fast Can I Obtain Second Citizenship?

If you have not already procured Maltese residency, the minimum amount of time needed to gain
Europe citizenship by investment is 12 months. If you have already met the Malta residency
requirement of the Individual Investor Program, you can secure citizenship in Malta in as little
as six months.

Where is the Malta Passport Office Located?

Since 2008, the Maltese Passport Office has issued biometric passports according to EU and
international standards. To obtain citizenship and a European passport through the Individual
Investor Program Malta, candidates must give the country their biometric information such as
fingerprints. This involves visiting one of the country's international embassies in person, or
traveling to the country and going to the Maltese Passport Office located in the Evans Building on
Merchant Street in downtown Valletta.

Has the Malta Citizenship Program Been Canceled?

No. The Maltese Individual Investor Program has not been canceled and is still accepting new
applications from reputable investors across the world. If Maltese economic citizenship interests
you, we encourage you to act quickly since the opportunity will not be around forever.

Should I Buy or Rent an Apartment in Malta?

Malta citizenship by investment program applicants have two options on how to meet the
program's residency requirement. The first option is to purchase an apartment on the islands for
a minimum price of €350,000. The second option is to rent or lease an apartment on the island
for a minimum annual rent of €16,000. There are pros and cons to both choices.

Buying a Malta Property

By far the biggest benefit to buying a property in Malta is that the investment is not a sunk
cost and can be recovered after the five-year commitment has been met. The Maltese
economy is growing by more than 3% per year, and the tiny size of the islands means that land is
in very limited supply. With an extremely healthy banking system and strong immigration
numbers, it is very likely that applicants who purchase real estate to meet the Malta IIP's
residency requirement will turn a profit on the home when they finally go to sell 5+ years later.
The biggest downside to making a Malta real estate purchase is that it increases the total
investment required to participate in the program. Depending on your current business situation,
the opportunity cost of this money could negate any appreciation of the property's value. It can
also be difficult to get a mortgage on a property in Malta as a foreign buyer, so the purchase may
have to be made with cash or financed in your home country.
Renting a Malta Apartment
The top reason to satisfy the Malta citizenship by investment programme's residency
requirement by leasing a property on the islands instead of buying one is that it requires a lot
less money. The minimum monthly rent required for the Malta citizenship scheme is only
€1333, and even if you paid for all five years upfront the total commitment would only be
€80,000 which is a fraction of the amount required to purchase real estate. Renting an
apartment in Malta is also quick and easy; there is much less paperwork involved compared to
buying a residence, and you do not need to be as meticulous when selecting a home since you will
not own it (many investors lease an apartment sight unseen). The biggest downside to renting a
house instead of buying one is that all the money you spend on rent is a sunk cost, and you will
not be able to recover any of these funds. Paying rent is an expense, but purchasing a property in
a strong real estate market such as Malta is an investment. This being said, the reason you are
paying this rent is to obtain an EU passport so in the end even though it is a sunk cost that cannot
be recovered it is still an excellent investment.

Is There a Language Requirement?

There are no citizenship tests included in the Malta investment program, and applicants are not
required to know Maltese or even English to be accepted into the financial citizenship
program. Dr. Anton Tabone has experience assisting non-English speaking clients
with Maltese immigration matters.

Voting Rights

People who acquire Maltese citizenship via the Individual Investor Programme can vote in
political elections provided they have been resident in the country for 6 of the past 18 months.

Can My Malta Passport Be Revoked?

European citizenship granted under the Malta Individual Investor Program can be revoked if an
applicant does not follow through with all the requirements of the citizenship by investment
programme. To be granted citizenship, applicants commit to retaining a residence in Malta for
five years and also keeping their Maltese bonds investment for a minimum of five years. If a
person does not comply with these requirements and stops renting an apartment or sells their
home in Malta before the five years is up, they can have their citizenship as well as their EU
passport taken away.

Malta Tourism

Malta is a tiny island country in the very middle of the Mediterranean Sea that is an immensely
popular tourist destination thanks to its beautiful architecture, many historical monuments, and
fantastic weather. Despite only having a current population of 423,500 the islands have been
inhabited for more than 7000 years and were home to one of the most sophisticated civilizations
on Earth. Today there are 7 UNESCO World Heritage sites on the islands, and people travel from
all across the world to visit the country making tourism one of the largest economic sectors in
Malta accounting for 15% of the nation's GDP.

European Union
Malta became a full member of the European Union in 2004. EU freedom of movement treaties
permit Maltese citizens to live, work, and study in any other European Union country
including Switzerland. This means that people with Malta passports are allowed to move to
Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France,
Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Poland,
Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom
(UK).

Schengen Area

Malta has been a member of the Schengen Area of Europe since 2007. This allows a Maltese
citizen to travel to 26 European countries without going through any border control.
Countries that make up the borderless area include EU members Austria, Belgium, Czech
Republic, Denmark, England (Great Britain), Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece,
Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia,
Slovenia, Spain, and Sweden, as well as the four European Free Trade Association (EFTA)
member states of Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland. Individuals that hold a
passport from any Schengen Area country can visit any other country in the borderless area
without the inconvenience of a border check.

Does Malta's Citizenship Program Accept Bitcoins?

The Maltese citizenship by investment program does not recognize Bitcoin as legal investment
currency for financial transactions related to their immigration program, and consequently, you
cannot use Bitcoins to make the Individual Investor Programme's compulsory investments.

How to Get Malta Citizenship

Many people interested in European citizenship by investment research the subject online,
determine they are a good fit for the Malta Individual Investor Program, but then are unsure of
the next step they should take to begin the process. Applying for Maltese citizenship on your own
is not possible. Under the requirements of the Malta IIP or MIIP, a prospective applicant is
obliged to use a concessionaire or Accredited Agent in order to get the application process
started. This means the ONLY way to apply for the Malta citizenship program is through an
Accredited Person, so contacting one of these exclusively certified individuals to learn more about
the program is the best way to initiate the Maltese citizenship application procedure.
Biometric Data

All Malta citizenship scheme applicants, with the exception of children under six years old, must
at some point visit in person a Maltese embassy or the Malta Passport Office in Valletta to give
their biometrics. Biometrics include facial features as well as the scanning of fingerprints for
applicants aged 12 and above. Biometric data that is given as part of the Malta citizenship by
investment application process can be stored for as long as six months.

Oath of Allegiance

All Malta immigration applicants that are at least 18 years old are required to take an Oath of
Allegiance in order to receive Malta citizenship, provided they have the capacity to do so. This
oath must be taken in person, so all successful candidates of the Malta citizenship scheme must
visit the country to finalize the process of becoming an EU citizen.

How Can I Verify If a Company or Person Is IIP Accredited?

A law firm, audit firm, intermediary firm, financial advisory firm, or other person or body that
has been officially authorized to help foreign nationals attain Maltese citizenship will advertise
their Identity Malta Accredited Agent number which can be independently verified on the
Government of Malta's website here. Dr. Anton Tabone holds Malta Individual Investor Program
Accredited Person license number IIP086.

Is Malta Safe to Invest In?

Malta is a republic with a parliamentary democracy system and is highly respected and
considered neutral on the international stage. Malta's banks have total assets worth more than
seven times the country's gross domestic product (GDP), making it a very economically
secure nation with the second largest banking sector in the eurozone. Unlike many neighboring
EU countries, Malta has an excellent credit rating (BBB+) and their government bonds are in
high demand amongst both professional and retail bond investors.
Malta withstood the "great recession" remarkably well with the country's housing price index
never dropping by more than 5% in a year including in 2008 and 2009 when other European real
estate markets were crushed. The country has also never imposed a tax on deposits in Maltese
banks, dissimilar to nearby Cyprus who imposed a one-time tax levy in 2013 which included
offshore bank accounts. As part of the former British Empire, Malta's financial system was built
from the ground up with a solid foundation and has proven to be both robust and stable even
while other European nations have faced major economic challenges. Not only did the Maltese
economy weather the European financial crisis exceptionally well, it is now one of the leading
economies in the euro zone. According to the country's National Statistics Office, the Malta
economy expanded by 4% in the fourth quarter of 2014 compared to Q4 2013, making it one of
the top economies in the entire EU during this period. Economists are currently predicting 2016
GDP growth of 3.6%, and every new high-net-worth individual (HNWI) that becomes a citizen of
Malta via the I.I.P. will help increase this number. The nation's safe and stable economy is just
one of the many reasons why the Malta Individual Investor Program is a secure and strategic
investment.

What is a "Malta Golden Visa"?

A "Golden Visa" is the name of a popular EU investor visa offered by a few Southern European
countries, such as Spain and Portugal, to foreign nationals who invest in their country's property
market. Many people refer to the new Malta Residence and Visa Program (MRVP) as a European
Golden Visa. If you are interested in an EU Residence Permit as opposed to European citizenship,
a Maltese investor visa may be right for you. Malta residency by investment can make doing
business in Europe easy by eliminating the need for a Schengen Visa in order to travel within the
European Union.

Maltese Nationality vs Residency

The Individual Investor Programme is much more than just a Malta investor visa; it offers
foreign investors full citizenship in Europe as opposed to just EU residency. While the Malta
residence scheme is an excellent way for non-EU investors to get a European Residence Permit,
obtaining a second passport in Malta is only possible through the IIP. In you want full European
citizenship and a Malta passport, the Individual Investor Program is for you.

What Does the Due Diligence Process Entail?

As a distinguished citizenship by investment program, the Malta Individual Investor Program

will only accept investor immigration candidates who are highly respectable and have no ties to
criminal activity. As part of the immigration Malta due diligence procedure, detailed background
verification checks are run to determine if candidates are of good repute and that all funds have
been derived from legal means. The due diligence fees paid when formally submitting a Malta
citizenship application cover the expenses incurred while verifying that an investor's money is
clean and that they are a credible person. The Malta investor citizenship program has an
immaculate reputation and the world's strictest due diligence standards and will
reject any aspirant who is unable to identify and prove the legitimate source of their cash.
Applications that contain false information or omissions will also be declined. The program has
an impressive four-tier due diligence system that is considered the most advanced in the industry
and any person deemed a potential reputational risk, national security risk, or currently subject
to a criminal investigation will be denied Maltese citizenship. Also, applicants who have been
denied a visa to any country with which Malta shares visa-free travel arrangements will not be
eligible for the program unless they have since successfully obtained a visa from that nation.

If I Make the Major Financial Contribution Am I Guaranteed a

Malta Passport?

Applicants for citizenship by investment in Malta are not required to make the sizable
contribution to the country's National Development and Social Fund until after they have passed
the due diligence stage of the program and have been approved in principle. Once a person has
been approved in principle, the only conditions that must be met before they will be made a
European citizen and given a Maltese passport are for them to satisfy all the remaining
Malta citizenship requirements laid out in the program such as the bonds investment and
residency stipulation. This means that you never have to worry about failing the due diligence
process after you have already invested the full amount of money required by the program.

Can My Children Study in Europe?

In additional to getting a second passport that makes traveling internationally very easy,

people who obtain Malta nationality through the immigrant investor program can go to
university in Europe without needing to qualify as a foreign student. Not only are the entrance
requirements at most top universities in Europe significantly lower for students from other EU
countries compared to students applying from abroad (especially Asia), often the tuition rates
charged by universities and colleges will be much lower for Europeans.

Which of the Maltese Islands Do I Need to Visit?

The Maltese archipelago consists of three main islands: Malta, Gozo, and Comino, and has a total
land area of 316 sq. km. Malta is the largest and most populated island and is the cultural and
commercial hub of the country. Gozo is the next largest of the islands and is more rural with a
booming tourist, fishing, and agriculture industry. Comino is a very tiny island located directly
between Malta and Gozo. Valletta, the capital city, is located on Malta island and is where all
business related to the Maltese citizenship program takes place. When IIP Malta candidates visit
the country to give biometrics, obtain a residency card, or take the Oath of Allegiance, they will
need to visit Valletta, which is located conveniently close to the Malta International Airport.
What Is the Difference Between a Citizenship by Investment
Program and an Immigrant Investor Program?

Also referred to as an economic citizenship or investor citizenship arrangement, citizenship by

investment programs enable foreign nationals to obtain citizenship in a country provided they
make a substantial fiscal contribution to that jurisdiction. Immigrant investor programs typically
only offer investors residency in a country in exchange for a hefty monetary contribution, not
citizenship, which is why citizenship investment programs are much more coveted by investors.
Because a financial investment is a requisite of the Individual Investor Program, some people
inadvertently think it is no different than a Malta passport for sale scheme; which is entirely
false! Although some media publications periodically use terms such as "Maltese passport for
sale" when discussing the island's citizenship programme, wealthy businessmen and
businesswomen expecting to instantly buy Maltese citizenship are going to be disappointed
because the IIP is not an EU passport for sale scheme it is a legitimate citizenship by
investment program recognized by the European Commission. Not only can you not go
out and buy a Maltese passport tomorrow, you cannot just instantly buy Malta citizenship
outright; the Individual Investor Program requires applicants to establish residency on the
islands and build a genuine link with the country. Truth be told, investor programs are not
actually very different from other forms of skilled worker immigration as both types of programs
have the simple goal of improving a country's society and economy. The fact is, global citizenship
facilitates innovation across borders, and educated business leaders who are the primary
demographic participating in citizenship by investment immigration bring tremendous value to
the communities they join.

Malta Global Residence Programme

In addition to Malta economic citizenship, immigration to Malta is possible via the country's
Global Residence Programme. The Global Residence Program Malta enables economically self-
sufficient individuals who rent or own a permanent address on the islands to be formally
recognized as a resident for tax purposes. If you are not interested in getting a Maltese passport
and simply wish to live in a warm Mediterranean residence while retired and collecting a
pension, the Malta Global Residence Program may be the ideal Malta immigration channel for
you.

Maltese Citizenship by Descent (How to Get an EU Passport)

Wondering how to get a European passport if you have Maltese ancestors? Amendments to the
country's Citizenship Act in August 2007 make it easy for direct descendants of Malta citizens to
obtain an EU second passport. Maltese citizenship by ancestry enables anyone with
documentation showing direct descent from an ancestor born in the country of a parent who was
also born on the islands to fill out a Malta citizenship application and obtain a European
passport. Even if you have no plans to ever invest in Malta, if you have Maltese parents,
grandparents, or great-grandparents, our Malta immigration team can assist you in attaining
dual citizenship in Europe as well as a second EU passport.

What Type of Health Insurance Do I Need?

The Malta citizenship investment program requires all entrants to hold a valid comprehensive
health insurance policy that covers all worldwide medical expenses up to at least 50,000 euros
per family member.

How Many Applicants Will Be Accepted for Economic Citizenship in

Malta?

The Individual Investor Programme Malta is strictly capped at 1800 applicants, making it the
most exclusive citizenship scheme available. While the country has secured a deal with the
European Commission to allow the member state to choose for themselves how many people to
accept into the program, there is no indication that the lifetime program cap of 1,800
applications will ever change.

Finding a Property in Malta

Citizenship by investment Malta candidates are required to have a registered functional address
in the country in order to apply for a residence permit under the program. Since it is impossible
to become a citizen of Malta by investing without first meeting the Individual Investor
Programme's residency requirement, applicants must present authorities with a copy of sale
agreement or lease agreement at least 12 months before they will officially be given a Malta
passport. There are no specific IIP requisites for the property other than satisfying the minimum
annual rent (16,000 euros) or purchase price (350,000 euros), although we recommend our
clients choose sensibly and not lease a tiny bachelor apartment for a large family.

Our Malta immigration team can assist clients with locating the ideal property on the islands that
will thoroughly meet their needs while also fulfilling all the investor program regulatory
requirements. Once power of attorney documents have been completed, we will also be able to
sign a lease on our client's behalf making the process of securing a sanctioned apartment even
easier and less time consuming. Clients can also complete the property transaction application in
advance, allowing us to email them properties that match their requirements and upon selection
secure the apartment, sign the lease agreement, and pay the landlord's deposit and first three
months of rent on their behalf without the client needing to return to the country. At
MaltaImmigration.com we treat every single one of our clients like a VIP!

Can I Invest in Malta Citizenship with a Company or Trust?

All funds for the Individual Investor Programme Malta must be transferred from the main
applicant's personal bank account. This means you can not make the financial contribution to the
National Development and Social Fund (NDSF) from a holding company or offshore trust. It also
means you cannot have a friend or family member wire the money to the islands on your behalf;
the name on the bank account sending the money must match the name of the primary applicant.

Citizenship by Investment Malta Application Process

The first stage of the Maltese Individual Investor Program is initial due diligence, during which
IIP Malta Ltd. conducts a preliminary background verification on the main applicant and their
family. As part of this process, the applicant must provide their personal details such as private
address as well as profession and name of employer. The main applicant must also provide
information about the number of residence cards he or she holds. All applicants need to provide a
copy of their passport, and the main applicant must additionally hand over some basic bank
account details such as the name of their bank, its address, and the SWIFT code.

After the preliminary due diligence stage, a client service agreement and power of attorney
document must be signed by the applicant as part of the preparation of a Malta resident permit
application. There are also several government forms that must be completed including Form K
and Form ID 1A for non-EU, EEA, or Swiss citizens. In addition to requiring a passport copy, the
Maltese resident permit application requires the main applicant to provide a bank reference as
well as bank statements from the last three months, a suitable certificate of global health
insurance coverage, and a cover letter detailing their reasons for applying for a Malta passport.
Spouses are required to present a copy of their passport, a marriage certificate, and a certificate
of their health insurance policy with global coverage of at least 50,000 euros. Documents
required for dependents include a passport copy, birth certificate, proof of sufficient international
health insurance coverage, as well as evidence of financial dependency on the main applicant for
dependents older than age 18. We work alongside clients throughout the entire Maltese passport
application process.

Can Documents Be Submitted in Your Native Language?

All documentation pursuant to the Malta economic citizenship program must either be in English
or accompanied by an authenticated translation. For example documents required by Identity
Malta that are in languages such as Russian, Arabic, or Chinese must be submitted alongside an
accurate English translation. Translated documents must also contain details about the
professional translator who was responsible for the language translation. When a “certified copy”
of a document is mandatory, a photocopy of the original document will suffice provided it is
certified to be a true copy of the original by a duly licensed lawyer.

For a confidential consultation regarding the Malta citizenship by investment

programme please phone us today or request a call back via our contact form.

IIP Malta

International Versions

Русский:
гражданство Мальты за инвестиции
中文:
投资移民马耳他
‫عربي‬:
‫الحصول على جنسية مالطا‬
Tiếng Việt:
quố c tịch Malta
Français:
nationalité Malte

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60A Melita Street (Britannia House)
Valletta
Malta
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 INDIA

| 2 min read

Lalit Modi Is Now a

Citizen of Malta, but ED
Still Wants Him Back 
Poonam Agarwal

March 16, 2016, 4:45 pm

 3.3k
Engagement
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The former IPL Commissioner Lalit Modi, who is on the run, has taken
citizenship of Malta, a small country in the central Mediterranean Sea.
According to sources in the Enforcement Directorate (ED), this information
was passed on to the agency by Interpol. However, there is no clarity yet on
whether Modi has already surrendered his Indian passport. In May 2010,
Lalit Modi fled from India after the ED registered a money-laundering case
due to financial irregularities in the Indian Premier League (IPL).
Recently, a Mumbai court passed an order to begin the process of
extraditing Modi. According to the agency, the process of extradition
doesn’t get affected even if Modi is not a citizen of India.
If the government of Malta turns down the request to
extradite Modi to India, then certainly it would be
difficult for us to bring him back.
Senior Official, Enforcement Directorate
Why Citizenship of Malta?
World Map representing distance between India and Malta (Photo: The
Quint)

The Republic of Malta, an archipelago in the central Mediterranean

between Sicily and the North African coast, is known for historic sites. As
per the law of the land, a person can get Malta citizenship by making
investments in the country. The Malta Individual Investor Programme
rules provide for affluent persons of impeccable standing and repute to be
naturalised and to receive Maltese citizenship on the basis of a contribution
to and investment in Malta.
In August 2015, the ED had sent a formal request to Interpol to arrest Modi
in Malta. The request copy also stated the address of Modi’s residence in
Malta. It also stated that given Modi’s history, the agency apprehended that
he might abscond from the requested country.
But Interpol didn’t pay much heed to the request, expressing dissatisfaction
with the evidence supplied by the agency against Modi. The Quint had
earlier reported that Interpol had been delaying the Red Corner Notice
against Modi. In a letter to Interpol, Modi’s lawyer conveyed that the case
against him was a political vendetta.
The agency has been dragging its feet in bringing Modi back to India for the
past several years. Though the Indian court is in agreement with the ED,
without the support of Interpol and the Malta government, the chances of
extraditing Modi are weak.
ontent
 Introduction
 Do I qualify to come to the UK to run my own business?
 EC Association Agreement countries
 What about my family
 What about extending my Visa?
 How do I apply?

Introduction
This visa category is for people wishing to come to the UK to start a business. You may start any
type of business, but you must work full time in the management of the business.

If you intend to be a passive investor investing at least GBP750,000 (about US $1.35 Million) then
please go to the UK investor’s Page.

If you intend to send someone else to the UK to run your business for you, then please  go to the
UK Sole Representative’s Page.

This sort of visa application is often called a "Business Status application".

Unless you are a national of Bulgaria, The Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Romania Slovakia,
Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania or Slovenia, entry to the UK as an investor will require you to invest
£200,000 in the UK. If the investment is considerably greater than the minimum £200,000 the
Home Office is likely to be less stringent with the other requirements of the rules and the
application may be processed more quickly.

Do I qualify to come to the UK to run my own business?

If you are a national of a country that is not covered by the EC Association Agreement, you will
need to show that you will:

 Invest £200,000 in a new UK business.

 Create full time employment for at least 2 EEA nationals
 Work solely in the business
 Have sufficient funds to accommodate and maintain yourself until the business is
profitable.
 Have a controlling interest in the business.
 Take a share of the business’s liabilities
 Be implementing a business plan that looks to be thorough and viable

The money to be invested in the UK should be your own and not from any other source (e.g. bank
loans). It can be held in the form of cash and share capital and the investment should give you an
equal or controlling interest in the business.

EC Association Agreement countries

If you are a national of one of the countries covered by the EC Association Agreement (Bulgaria or
Romania), you can gain entry to the UK to start a business without having to fulfill the £200,000
investment requirement or create employment. However you will still need to show that you have
a realistic business plan, and sufficient funds to cover living expenses until an income can be
derived in the UK. Please go to our Working in the UK under the EC Association Agreement
page for further details of this.

What About My Family?

You may apply for your spouse and children to accompany you as your dependants.

Education

Your children entering the UK as your dependants are entitled to the same free education as
British children. You may choose to send your children to a private school if you wish.

Health care

You and your family are eligible to free health care provided by the National Health Service. You
are not required to take out private health insurance, although you may choose so to do.

Work

Your spouse is entitled to take up any lawful employment.

What about extending my Visa?

You will initially get a visa valid for a period of 12 months. During this time you must usually make
the full investment and create the required 2 jobs. At the end of this first year, the visa can be
extended by applying to the Home Office. The extension application will need to be accompanied
by documentation showing the progress that your business has made; as long as the business
looks viable, the investment has been made, and the jobs have been created, then the Home
Office will normally grant a three-year extension to your visa. After a total of 4 years in the UK you
may apply for indefinite leave to remain (Permanent Residence). A year after being granted
indefinite leave to remain you may apply for naturalisation as a British citizen. Click here for
further details

How do I apply?
The visa application should be made to a British Consulate in the country of your usual residence
or the country of your nationality. If it is clear that you have a very strong case (for example,
where the sum to be invested is significantly more than £200,000), it may be approved quite
quickly by the consular officials. However, if your case requires more careful assessment, it will be
referred to the Home Office in the UK. Irrespective of the strength of the application, it will be
referred to the Home Office for security clearance if you are a citizen of Russia, North Korea,
Liberia, or Iraq. When applications are referred to the Home Office, processing will normally take 9
months.

The application should be accompanied by:

 Passports
 Visa fee of £50
 2 passport photos for each applicant
 Business plan which should include:
 Evidence of the funds to be invested
 The object of the business
  A detailed description of employment created.
 A projected balance sheet, including:
 The financial outlay
 Any loan to the company
 Assets
 Stock
 Profit and loss projection
 Overheads including:
 Establishment expenses
 Admin expenses
 Depreciation

You may be asked to justify the assumptions made in the business plan for example with market
research.

workpermit.com is able to help you with all areas of the application – including, if necessary, the
business plan.

If you would like to apply for entrepreneur visa , please fill out our on-line from.