Identity Malta’s steady return to normal services

Last Updated on Wednesday, 17 June, 2020 at 10:44 am by Andre Camilleri

In the wake of the coronavirus outbreak, Identity Malta devised a business contingency plan which was primarily intended to protect the wellbeing of its employees and to safeguard public health, whilst continuing to provide the best possible service. The initiatives taken during the pandemic meant that 350 births and 100 deaths were registered by mail, 210 couples had their postponed marriage registration fee waived, 480 medical professionals, including healthcare professionals, had their single permit automatically extended by 3 months and 1,440 ID cards were automatically extended till 30th June 2020. Parliamentary Secretary for Citizenship and the Communities Alex Muscat held that these initiatives affirm Identity Malta’s commitment towards our community.

Anton Sevasta, Identity Malta’s CEO, explained how the agency had to bring forward its plans and that the recently launched online single permit platform and other similar initiatives are part of Identity Malta’s digital drive.

Parliamentary Secretary for Citizenship and Communities Alex Muscat and Mr Anton Sevasta thanked Identity Malta staff for their perseverance and determination in managing to materialise these initiatives overnight.   

Mater Dei Office reopening 

On Monday 8th June 2020 Identity Malta’s Mater Dei office reopened to the general public. In the coming weeks Identity Malta will enable online birth and death registrations.

Marriage Registration Fee Waiver

Couples postponing their marriage due to COVID-19 will not have to pay the administrative fee when registering their new marriage date.

Maltese citizens’ ID cards renewals

Legal Notice 143 of 2020 shall remain in force and all local ID cards which are soon to expire will remain valid until 30th June 2020. Those whose ID card has already expired or will soon expire can either renew their identification document now or thereafter.

Expatriates

  • New Single Permits

The Maltese Government’s decision to issue new residence permits for highly skilled workers (Key Employee Initiative) and healthcare professionals still holds until further notice.

  • Single Permit Online Platform

New single permit applications for highly skilled workers (Key Employee Initiative) and healthcare professionals, renewals and change in jobs should be submitted online (https://singlepermit.gov.mt/), once the employer has successfully registered for the online application service.

  • Healthcare Professionals

Healthcare professionals, whose single permit is about to expire should now apply for a one year renewal on https://singlepermit.gov.mt/, once the employer has successfully registered for the online application service.

Healthcare professionals who had their single permit automatically extended by a further 3 months should apply online for a one-year renewal once their extension elapses.   

Live-in carers who are submitting a new or renewal single permit application should send an email to singlepermit.ima@gov.mt to set an appointment and submit the application in person. 

  • Interim Permits

Applicants who need to extend their interim permit should continue to send their request to extensions.ima@gov.mt and should ask for a confirmation email. Single permit applicants who need to extend their interim permit should forward their request to singlepermit.ima@gov.mt and ask for a confirmation email.

  • TCN Family Members & Temporary Residence Permit

Family members of third-country nationals and applicants for temporary residence permits should continue to send their request for a new application or renewal to noneu.ima@gov.mt. Requests for such extensions should also be sent to noneu.ima@gov.mt.

  • EU, EEA & Swiss Nationals

EU, EEA, Swiss nationals, and their family members should continue to send their request to register their residence or renew their residence document to eu.ima@gov.mt

  • UK nationals

The process of issuing a new residency documents to UK nationals residing in Malta will recommence from 1st July 2020 and a revised scheduled of zones will soon be issued. Beneficiaries of the Withdrawal Agreement will be notified by post on their registered address. Enquires about this changeover should be sent to brexit.ima@gov.mt

  • Expatriates’ Ħal Far Office Reopening

On Monday 8th June 2020 Identity Malta’s Expatriates Office in Ħal Far resumed with normal operating procedures. Queries in connection with the service offered at Ħal Far Office should be sent to intl.protection.ima@gov.mt or call +356 2590 4841/2.

  • Expatriates Customer Care

The Expatriates’ Customer Care desk can be reached on +356 2590 4800 or ereseidence.ima@gov.mt.

Queries relating to single permits should be sent to singlepermit.ima@gov.mt.

Central Visa Unit

As from Monday 8th June, the office resumed with normal working hours, opening Monday to Friday between 8:00hrs and 14:00hrs.

The Central Visa Unit will resume full operations once Malta lifts its travel restrictions on 1st July 2020.

The public is still requested to book an appointment beforehand on visa.ima@gov.mt. The Central Visa Unit can be contacted on +356 2590 4550 or visa.ima@gov.mt.

Interviews of foreign spouses for Maltese citizenship resume

Interviews in relation to applications for Maltese citizenship based on marriage by a foreign spouse of a Maltese citizen have resumed.

Other Services

The Passport Office, Public Registry Office and eID Card Unit are operating as usual.

Finally, the general public is advised to take the necessary precautionary measures in keeping social distancing and to wear face masks or visors and to use hand sanitizers when visiting our offices.  

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