Malta updated its Startup residency program

Maltа has updated а Startup visa program. Malta is a full member of the European Union and has the Euro as its official currency.
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The Malta Startup Residence Programme grants a 3-year residence permit, extendable for an additional 5 years, during which beneficiaries are able to reside in Malta while launching their startup venture. 

Intended for non-EU nationals, this competitive programme is specifically designed to facilitate the setting up of innovative startups and scale-ups in Malta whilst supporting the immigration process of their founders/co-founders, core employees and respective immediate family members. Beneficiaries of this programme need to have a tangible presence in Malta (including living and paying taxes locally).

The country's economic development agency Malta Enterprise promises to support startups and help with investments, loans, and grants.

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Who is eligible to apply?

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Third-country nationals, excluding EU, EEA and Swiss are eligible. Nationals from (or have close ties with) Afghanistan, North Korea, Iran, Democratic Republic of Congo, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria, Yemen and Venezuela are ineligible. 

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Main requirements

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👉 You has a concrete intention to develop and/or expand your business in Malta;

👉 Is the founder or the co-founder of an enterprise, which has been registered for not more than seven (7) years anywhere globally (including Malta), which fulfils the following:

• it has not taken over the activity of another enterprise,
• it has not yet distributed profit,
• it has not been formed through a merger;

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👉 A founder, co-founder or core employee applying under this programme must be 18 years and older;
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👉 The incorporated Startup in Malta is required to place a tangible investment and/or paid up share capital of not less than €25,000.  
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👉 In case where more than four co-founders apply for the Startup Residence Permit, an additional €10,000 needs to be placed per additional co-founder. 
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👉 In any case, the maximum number of co-founders eligible for the Startup Residence Programme is six;
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👉 The founder and/or co-founders benefitting from this programme need to have a physical and tangible presence in Malta not only from a business point of view but also in terms of living in Malta. Thus, those benefitting need to be living and paying their taxes in Malta;
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👉 Has recognised health insurance covering risks in Malta for himself/herself and dependants;
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👉 In possession of sufficient financial resources in own bank statement to support himself and any other dependents within existing regulations;
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👉 Has no criminal record or pending criminal charges and does not pose any potential threat to the national security, public policy, public health, or public interest;
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👉 Must not have previously had applications for a residence status or citizenship rejected in Malta or abroad.
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How to Apply

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✅ For application details please log in to the “Client Portal” 
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✅ Download the Startup Residence Eligibility and Requirements

✅ Submit an online application on the Malta Enterprise portal and await a decision

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For further information please contact us at  startupresidency@startinmalta.com