Identità expressly allows students with a student D-visa to change schools, with the new school notifying the Central Visa Unit. The published guidance does not establish the same transfer process for C-visas or visa-free stays. Residence-permit holders may need approval or a new application—not just a notification.
| Situation | What to know |
|---|---|
| You hold a Maltese student D-visa | Identità says you may change schools. Ask the new school to inform the Central Visa Unit at studentvisa.identita@gov.mt. |
| You hold a C-visa or entered visa-free | Ask the Central Visa Unit whether your current permission covers the new school and course before switching. The published school-change answer specifically addresses student D-visa holders. |
| You hold a non-EU residence permit based on study | Contact Identità for approval before changing institution. Its study-permit FAQ says a different course or institution typically requires a new application; reporting the change alone may not be enough. |
| You are an EU, EEA or Swiss student | Do not assume the third-country D-visa process applies. Identità has a general “Other Changes” option for residence cards, but its form does not specifically say how to report a school change. Ask Identità which update, if any, is required. |
What to do before you leave your current school
Contact the new school before cancelling your current enrolment. Get written confirmation of acceptance, course dates, fees, attendance expectations and what the school will do about any immigration notification. If you hold a student D-visa, Identità says you can change schools and asks you to have the new school inform the Central Visa Unit.
Speak with your current school about leaving, unused lessons and any accommodation booking before you cancel. Ask both providers for their written terms: the official guidance reviewed does not establish a general refund entitlement or a standard way to transfer accommodation. The ELT Council’s student guide, an older practical guide, advises students to speak to a group leader or Director of Studies promptly about course changes.
Check that the school is on the ELT Council’s official list of licensed English-language schools. Confirm the course dates, fees, attendance arrangements and accommodation directly with the school before agreeing to the move.
The process depends on your immigration status
For a student D-visa, ask the new school to email the Central Visa Unit at studentvisa.identita@gov.mt about the change. Identità’s answer is specifically about a student holding a student D-visa; it does not say that this same notification process applies to every other visa or status.
If you have a C-visa or entered Malta visa-free, contact the Central Visa Unit before changing schools or relying on your current permission for the new course. Identità describes C-visas for short courses, but its published school-change answer does not settle whether an existing C-visa or visa-free stay remains valid after a transfer.
Check the visa requirement for your exact course dates and circumstances rather than relying on a simple day-count rule. Identità’s dedicated student-visa pages distinguish courses of up to 90 days from courses exceeding 90 days, while its general Visa FAQ refers to student D-visa applications for courses of at least 105 days. These official pages do not state the same threshold, so confirm the applicable requirement with Identità or the Central Visa Unit.
If you hold a non-EU Maltese residence permit, the rights-and-obligations leaflet says changes to details relating to acquiring the permit, including school, must be reported within three days. That leaflet’s three-day rule applies to non-EU permit holders covered by it. If your permit is based on study, do not treat notification alone as approval: Identità says you must notify it and get approval before enrolling at a different institution, which typically requires a new application. Contact Identità about the steps for your specific permit.
If you are an EU, EEA or Swiss student
Identità’s study guidance says EU nationals staying in Malta for more than three months must register their residence; its study route refers to enrolment at a licensed and accredited education establishment, comprehensive health insurance and sufficient resources. Identità describes EEA and Swiss nationals as having similar favourable conditions, but the cited study page is specifically about EU nationals. Identità’s Changes to Application form applies to EU, EEA and non-EU nationals and includes an “Other Changes” option for residence cards. It does not specifically identify a school change, so ask Identità whether to use it or take another step.
Changing from English lessons to university study
An English-language course and university study are not interchangeable immigration categories. Identità describes a separate study-residence-permit route for qualifying third-country nationals taking full-time higher-education courses that meet the applicable qualification and institution requirements. If you are moving to university study, ask the university and Identità which route and documents apply; do not assume your English-school enrolment or visa process carries over.
For a broader overview of residence routes and documents, see Malta residence permit requirements.
Could the change affect work permission?
Possibly. Student status alone does not give every third-country national permission to work. Identità describes category-specific work rules, including Jobsplus conditions and a work permit for some eligible students. Before changing schools, ask Jobsplus and Identità whether your existing work authorisation remains valid for your new course and status.
Questions people ask
Does my new English school have to be licensed?
Check the ELT Council’s official list of licensed English-language schools before enrolling, then confirm your course details directly with the school.
Can I switch schools first and sort out the visa later?
If you hold a student D-visa, Identità says you may change schools and the new school should notify the Central Visa Unit. If you hold a C-visa or entered visa-free, check with the Central Visa Unit before switching; the published guidance does not confirm that your current permission automatically covers the new course. If you hold a study residence permit, contact Identità for approval before enrolling elsewhere.
Will I get a refund for lessons or accommodation I do not use?
The official guidance reviewed does not establish a general refund entitlement. Check the written terms with your school and accommodation provider before cancelling.
Does changing schools automatically cancel my work permission?
The guidance reviewed does not establish a universal outcome. Work permission depends on your category and applicable conditions, so ask Jobsplus and Identità whether yours remains valid after the change.
Sources
- Identità, Visa FAQ
- Identità, Central Visa Unit Student Visa – Courses Not Exceeding 90 Days
- Identità, Central Visa Unit Student Visa – Courses Exceeding 90 Days
- Identità, Rights and Obligations for Residence Permit Holders
- Identità, Non-EU Study FAQ
- Identità, EU Nationals – Study
- Identità, EU Nationals and Residing in Malta
- Identità, Changes to Application Form
- Identità, Study, Research, Trainees, Volunteers and Interns
- Identità, Central Visa Unit Student Visa – Employment
- ELT Council, List of Licensed ELT Schools in Malta
- ELT Council, Student Guidebook
Rules, fees and eligibility can change. Confirm current requirements with the named authority or institution before applying or paying.