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Citizenship by Investment Malta
Introduced in November 2020, legislation granting Malta citizenship by naturalization for exceptional services offers citizenship in a highly respected EU member country to individuals and families worldwide who contribute to the nation's economic development. 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 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.
Eligibility for Malta Citizenship by Investment 2021
An amendment passed in 2013 to Chapter 188 of the Maltese Citizenship Act, as well as the enactment of Legal Notice LN437 in 2020, legally grant eligible persons Malta citizenship by investment under the country's "Citizenship by Naturalization for Exceptional Services by Direct Investment" regulations. Administered by Community Malta Agency, a federal government agency, in order to be considered eligible for investor citizenship a main applicant must be at least 18 years of age and must meet all the Malta immigration requirements outlined below.
Malta Citizenship by Investment Timeline
Malta Residency: Potential candidates who are not already resident in the country are strongly advised to begin the residency process immediately since Malta citizenship by investment has a residency requirement of at least 12 months. To be granted nationality 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.
Day 1
Once a Malta Residency Card has been issued, a citizenship by investment eligibility application can be formally submitted to Community Malta Agency by an Accredited Person. This eligibility pack will contain imperative supporting documents, and evidence of source of funds must also be presented at this stage giving a clear picture of how the applicant obtained his or her wealth over the years. A candidate should now indicate whether they are interested in obtaining Malta citizenship after 12 months of residency (€750,000 investment) or after 36 months of residency (€600,000 investment). Once a citizenship by investment candidate receives a Residency Card, they have 12 months to submit a citizenship eligibility pack. The following fees are now payable:
Due Diligence Fees
Principal applicant - €15,000
Spouse - €10,000
Dependents - €10,000 each
Benefactor (if applicable) - €15,000
Administrative Fee
Each person - €1,000
Day 5
Community Malta Agency will notify the concessionaire or Accredited Person within five business days of submission to confirm whether client's eligibility application has been accepted for review or requires additional paperwork. If accepted, the Agency will also send an Eligibility Payment Request Voucher (EPRV), which is how the above due diligence and administrative fees are to be paid to the Government.
Day 90
Confirmation from Community Malta Agency that the economic citizenship eligibility application and supporting documentation are formally in order. The candidate's eligibility is subject to a further 30 days of additional verification by the Government of Malta's regulatory body.
Day 120-150
Applicant is approved for eligibility by the Minister. This signifies official Malta citizenship by investment eligibility conditional only on the candidate fulfilling all their remaining obligations in accordance with the country's investor citizenship regulations.
After 12 Months or 36 Months
Once an investment citizenship candidate has held residency in Malta for more than 12 months or 36 months, depending on which option they previously selected, he or she is eligible to formally apply for citizenship. This involves filing further documentation with Community Malta Agency confirming details previously submitted and informing of any changes. All documentation is thoroughly vetted at this stage, and the Agency performs extensive due diligence on each applicant.
Approval in Principle
Once the Minister approves an investor citizenship application, an official Letter of Approval in Principle is issued by the Agency. The applicant now has four months to fulfill all the citizenship by investment requirements. At this time, the Agency will issue an Investment Request Voucher (IRV), which is a formal request for payment of remaining balance of National Development and Social Fund investment.
Evidence of Fulfillment
Within four months of being approved in principle, a Malta citizenship investment candidate must provide documented evidence of having satisfied all requirements of the legislation. This includes evidence of the following:
- Exceptional direct investment of €600,000 (€10,000 deposit + €590,000) if 36 months residency
- Exceptional direct investment of €750,000 (€10,000 deposit + €740,000) if 12 months residency
- Exceptional direct investment of €50,000 for each dependent included in application
- A copy of lease or purchase agreement for a property in Malta along with a declaration from applicant that property will be kept for a minimum of five years
- Receipt of donation to an appropriate non-profit organization in the country
- Proof that personal, commercial, and financial ties to the country that were committed to in residency proposal letter have been or are currently being honored
Final Review
Once an applicant's "post-approval pack" is received, final citizenship by investment Malta compliance is performed by the Government. At this point, the entire National Development and Social Fund monetary contribution (exceptional investment) must have already been made in full.
Oath of Allegiance
When the Agency has finished their final review of a Malta citizenship by investment application and determined all obligations were fulfilled in their entirety, a Letter of Invitation will be issued to the applicant and dependents so they can schedule an appointment to take the Oath of Allegiance. Malta immigration candidates aged 18 or older must physical travel to the country to take this oath, and it should be taken within six months of receiving Approval in Principle from the Minister.
Issuance of Naturalization Certificate
Once a citizenship through investment candidate has taken an Oath of Allegiance, they will be issued a Certificate of Naturalization and given a Malta Passport.
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