COMMON QUESTIONS
TIME FRAMES
1. How long does the Individual Investor Programme (IIP) process take?
This process can take a minimum of six months and a maximum of two years. This will need to include a period of residency for at least one year, established in Malta.
2. How long will the Maltese citizenship be valid for?
Once all requirements are fulfilled and certificate of Naturalisation has been issued, the Maltese citizenship granted would be considered as permanent.
3. When will the concessionaire or accredited person/agent receive notification on submission of the application?
The concessionaire or accredited person/agent will receive notification within five working days of submission from Identity Malta Agency to confirm whether accepted for review or further information is required and application is sent back.
APLICATION AND PROCESS
1. What are the requirements to be eligible for the IIP?
Candidates will need to meet all relevant requirements as highlighted in the Legal Notice L.N.47 of 2014 (CAP. 188) Clause 2 (a) to (g).
2. What government body is in charge of the IIP and who do I need to contact should I have any questions?
The IIP is regulated by Identity Malta Agency working in line with the Malta Financial Services Authority (MFSA) regulations. The Programme is fully compliant with the European Union Commission.
Queries should be directed to the concessionaire or the respective accredited person, Dr. Joe Cila.
3. What is the fee structure for the IIP?
The fees are available in the Legal Notice L.N.47 of 2014 (CAP. 188) B354 Contribution requirements and schedule of fees;
National Development and Social Funds Contribution
Principal Applicant €650,000
Spouse €25,000
Dependant aged <17 €25,000
Dependant aged 18+ €50,000
Government Due Diligence Fees
Principal Applicant €7,500
Spouse €5,000
Dependant aged 0–17 €3,000
Dependant aged + 18 €5,000
Passport Fees/Person €500
Bank fees/Application €200
4. Are there any initial fees prior to approval and are these refundable?
The initial fee is of €10,000 which is considered a non-refundable deposit fee.
5. Can the Maltese citizenship be revoked once it has been approved?
The Maltese citizenship granted under the IIP can be revoked should an applicant fail to comply with the requirements as highlighted in the Legal Notice L.N.47 of 2014 (CAP. 188) B352 Deprivation of Citizenship.
6. Do I need to know Maltese and do I need to take a citizenship test during the process?
The Maltese language is not a requirement for Naturalisation and no citizenship tests will be carried out at this time.
7. Am I obliged to go through the concessionaire or to the accredited person/agent?
Under the requirements of the IIP, a prospective applicant is obliged to go through either the concessionaire or an accredited person/agent.
8. How can I tell if Dr. Joe Cilia or any other concessionaire/agent is accredited?
An accredited person/agent would be an Audit Firm, a Law Firm, a Financial Advisor Firm, an Intermediary Firm or any other person or body which in all cases has been authorised to act as an authorised intermediary firm by Identity Malta Agency for the purposes of the IIP. Authorised number and a certificate is issued by Identity Malta Agency. A list of accredited persons and agents will be available on www.iip.identitymalta.com
9. When will a passport be issued and how is this issued?
Upon certificate of Naturalisation you may request your passport by providing a complete application Form for a European Union Malta Passport Form OLA A-Form A obtained from;
10. What are the checks made on the applicants?
Due diligence checks shall be of a four tier nature and Identity Malta Agency shall in any case be responsible for the proper carrying out of due diligence tests and shall also carry out due diligence tests independently of the concessionaire. The type of checks to be carried out will include, but are not limited to:
- Public information checks
- Background verification reports
- Global government agency checks
11. Where will this passport be recognised?
The Maltese passport is recognised for Visa-free travel to more than 160 countries in the world including. This also gives the right of establishment in all 28 European Union countries.
12. Are naturalised citizens authorised to participate in political elections or political engageme
Citizens of Malta are entitled to vote if they have been resident for 6 months during the 18 month period preceding an election.
13. Will the applicant be able to obtain an E-Residence Card?
This will be obtained on application for residency in Malta. The Concessionaire, Accredited Person or Approved Agent will be able to guide you with regards to this requirement.
14. Can I hold dual citizenship if I have been Naturalised as Maltese citizen?
Yes, you can hold more than one citizenship after having been naturalised as a Maltese citizen. Malta recognised dual citizenship, however your current country or citizenship may have restrictions.
15. How old does a child/dependant have to be in order to take the Oath of Allegiance?
A child of the main applicant or of the spouse of the main applicant who is at least eighteen years of age and who is living with and is fully supported by the main applicant, provided that such person has the capacity to take an oath of allegiance.
16. How old does a child/dependant have to be for biometric data to be taken? Where can biometric data be taken?
Applicants aged six years and above must attend in person at the Malta passport office in Valletta or at an Embassy, High Commission or Consular Office which has the necessary facilities to capture biometric data which include facial features. The scanning of fingerprints will also be undertaken on all children aged twelve years and above. Biometric data can be given and stored for a period of up to six months.
DOCUMENTS
1. Can documents be submitted in the Jurisdiction’s native language?
The application forms and other accompanied documents shall be completed in English or, if the original language is not English, the document shall be accompanied by an authenticated translat
2. Who can translate documentation for the IIP process?
An authenticated translation is to be done by either a professional translator who is officially accredited to a court of law, a government agency, an international organisation, or a similar official institution. If this is done in a country where there are no official accredited translators, a translation is to be done by a company whose role or business is professional translation.
3. Where can I obtain the application from?
The application forms can be obtained through the concessionaire or the accredited person/agent. Alternatively, this can also be downloaded from the Identity Malta website www.iip.identitymalta.com.
4. What is an Apostille document?
If a certified document has been completed by a Lawyer / Notary in a jurisdiction for which the Hague Convention applies these documents require “Apostille”.
The apostille itself is a stamp or printed form consisting of 10 numbered standard fields. On the top is the text APOSTILLE, under which the text Convention de La Haye du 5 octobre 1961 (English: Hague Convention of 5 October 1961) is placed. In the numbered fields the following information is added:
1. Country … [country name] This public document
2. has been signed by … [name]
3. acting in the capacity of … [function]
4. bears the seal/stamp of … [authority] certified
5. at … [location]
6. the … [date]
7. by … [name]
8. No … [apostille registration number]
9. Seal/stamp … [of the authority giving the apostille]
10. Signature … [signature of authority giving the apostille]
The information can be placed on the (back of the) document itself, or attached to the document.
If not part of a jurisdiction which the Hauge Convention applies a validation of the certificate of the lawyer, Notary public by the appropriate government department or validation of certificate by a Maltese consular or diplomatic representation of a jurisdiction.
5. What is a certified copy?
A certified copy means a photocopy of an original document certified by a duly licensed lawyer, Notary public, a Maltese consular or diplomatic officer or a senior officer of the concessionaire to be a true copy of the original.
6. If original documents cannot be obtained such as Birth/Marriage certificates, what is the alternative?
Certified copy on application submission. On an exceptional basis “the original” must be brought with the applicant and a copy will be taken and certified by Identity Malta for the Public Registry. However, where this process is followed, Identity Malta Agency is required to confirm with the local Embassies in the country of origin, to verify that it is not possible to obtain an original extract of birth or marriage certificates.
RESIDENCE REQUIREMENTS
1. Does the Main Applicant have to give proof of residence prior to taking the oath of allegiance?
According to Legal Notice LN47/2014, the applicant must give proof of residence in Malta for up to 12 months prior to taking the oath of allegiance. This requirement is also provided for in Part C containing declarations in FormN
2. Are the dependants of the Main Applicant required to give the same undertaking with regards to residence?
The residence requirement is for the Main Applicant. In this regard reference can be made to article 7(12) of the regulations re the IIP
3. What documents will be required by the Main Applicant to apply for a residence permit for the purposes of the IIP?
Identity Malta is currently preparing a set of guidelines regarding residence conditions. And relative to residence permit applications. The guidelines will contain the list of documents which Identity Malta feels would be relevant in processing the the applications for the said residence permit.
4. When is the best time for the Main Applicant to apply for a Residence Permit?
The guidelines will specify when it applications for residence can be accepted from the Main Applicant. However, it is to be noted that in order that a residence permit may be issued, in view of biometric capture requirements, the prospective applicant will need to be in Malta. It is up to the IIP Main applicant to determine when best to apply for a residence permit. The date of issue of the residence permit will impact on his/her ability to prove that he/she was a resident of Malta for 12 months prior to the issue of the certificate of naturalisation.
5. Can a Residence Permit granted for the purposes of the IIP be withdrawn if the IIP application is rejected?
Residence Permits granted solely for the purposes of the IIP may be withdrawn if the IIP application is rejected.