Short stays generally count toward a 90-day limit across the Schengen area. For longer English courses, Identità’s published instructions do not align on when a D visa is required, so confirm your specific route before booking.
| Situation | What to know |
|---|---|
| Third-country national taking a course of up to 90 days | Identità describes a Schengen short-stay C visa for third-country nationals who need a visa. Visa-exempt students are outside that C-visa procedure, but their short stay still counts toward the 90 days in any 180-day period across Schengen. |
| Third-country national taking a course lasting 91–104 days | Identità’s page for courses exceeding 90 days says third-country nationals, including visa-exempt nationals, are to be issued a D visa. Its study FAQ instead sets a threshold of 105 days or more. Because these official instructions do not align, check your course and application route with Identità and your school before booking. |
| Third-country national taking a course of exactly 105 days | Identità’s FAQ says courses of at least 105 days require a study D visa before travel, while ELT Council guidance updated 5 March 2025 says courses of more than 105 days require one before arrival. Identità’s separate over-90-day page also says a D visa applies. Confirm the current process directly before booking. |
| EU, EEA or Swiss national staying more than three months | Residence registration or documentation is required for longer stays. The study basis has provider, enrolment, insurance and resource requirements; confirm that your English course qualifies for that basis. |
The 90-day limit applies across Schengen
For a third-country national, a short stay is generally limited to 90 days in any 180-day period across the Schengen area—not 90 fresh days just for Malta. Days spent in other Schengen countries count too. Check your travel history and whether your nationality requires a visa before planning the course. Identità describes the short-stay limit in its visa guidance.
For courses that do not exceed 90 days, Identità describes a Schengen short-stay C visa for third-country nationals who need a visa. If approved, it may cover the course plus a seven-day grace period, but the total must not exceed 90 days. That course-specific C-visa procedure does not apply to visa-exempt nationals; they still need to stay within their permitted short-stay limit.
For courses over 90 days, official visa instructions conflict
Identità’s page for student courses exceeding 90 days says applicants, including third-country nationals who are visa-exempt for 90 days, are to be issued a national long-stay D visa. That instruction covers courses of 91–104 days as well as longer courses.
Other published guidance does not match that threshold. Identità’s study FAQ says non-EU students taking a course of at least 105 days must apply for a D visa before travelling; it advises applying at least eight weeks before the course starts and no more than six months in advance. The FAQ separately says visa-exempt students studying for more than 105 days need a D visa. ELT Council student guidelines, last updated 5 March 2025, say students taking courses of more than 105 days must apply before arrival. The sources therefore do not give one consistent threshold, including for courses of 91–104 days and exactly 105 days. Confirm your specific course and application process with Identità and your school before booking or travelling.
EU, EEA and Swiss students staying longer
EU nationals may stay for up to three months without residence registration. For a longer stay based on study, Identità says they must register and provide evidence of enrolment at a licensed and accredited education establishment, comprehensive sickness insurance and sufficient resources. Identità says EEA nationals have similar conditions; its applicant notes say Swiss nationals staying more than three months should apply for residence documentation. An English course does not automatically qualify for registration on the study basis, so check with Identità which residence basis applies to you.
An English course is not automatically a higher-education study permit
Identità describes its non-EU study residence route primarily for qualifying full-time higher-education courses at MQF Level 5 or higher, offered by an appropriately licensed institution. Students on courses below MQF Level 5 may study after obtaining a one-year national D visa, or may have another specified residence route depending on their circumstances. Ask your school for the course’s official level and confirm which visa or residence process applies.
A longer stay or extension is not automatic. Identità describes a D-visa extension route for many courses over 90 days, with a maximum of 365 days from initial entry into Schengen under that route; some course categories instead require a residence permit. Extension applicants must provide evidence of satisfactory performance and attendance. For below-MQF-Level-5 course extension documents, Identità lists at least 15 contact hours per week, an enrolment or acceptance letter, a timetable and a monthly lesson schedule. Check the current requirements for your course with your school and Identità.
A student visa does not by itself give permission to work
For students covered by Identità’s rule for courses over 90 days who do not qualify under the separate higher-education provisions, work may be permitted for up to 20 hours a week after the first three months of study, subject to Jobsplus conditions and an employment licence. Identità describes a separate rule for third-country nationals on full-time courses leading to MQRIC-recognised higher-education qualifications: they may work up to 20 hours a week from their first year, with a work-permit application after a residence permit is issued. Check which rule applies and obtain the required Jobsplus authorisation before accepting work. Our guide to part-time jobs in Malta for students covers what to check before you start.
Questions people ask
Do days spent in another Schengen country count toward my Malta stay?
Yes. The short-stay limit is generally 90 days in any 180-day period across Schengen, so days in other Schengen countries count too.
What visa applies to an English course lasting 91–104 days?
Identità’s page for courses exceeding 90 days says a D visa applies, including to visa-exempt third-country nationals. Its FAQ gives a different threshold of 105 days or more. Because the official instructions do not align, confirm the current route with Identità and your school before booking.
Can I extend an English-course stay in Malta?
Do not assume an extension will be granted. The process depends on your course duration and level, and Identità lists attendance, performance and course-document requirements for relevant extensions. Confirm your case with your school and Identità.
Can I work while taking an English course?
A student visa alone is not work authorisation. For the relevant student category, Identità says work may be permitted up to 20 hours a week after the first three months of study, subject to Jobsplus conditions and an employment licence. A separate rule applies to qualifying higher-education students.
Sources
- Identità — Central Visa Unit: National Visa, Visa Code
- Identità — Student Visa: Courses Not Exceeding 90 Days
- Identità — Student Visa: Courses Exceeding 90 Days
- Identità — Visa FAQs
- ELT Council — Student Visa Guidelines, updated 5 March 2025
- Identità — EU Study Residence Route
- Identità — Working and Residing in Malta
- Identità — EU and Swiss Applicant Notes
- Identità — Non-EU Study FAQs
- Identità — Student Visa Extension of Stay
- Identità — Extension of Stay in Malta: Requirements
- Identità — Student Visa: Employment
Rules, fees and eligibility can change. Confirm current requirements with the named authority or institution before applying or paying.