New e-residence card for foreign nationals residing in Malta
The Department for Citizenship & Expatriate Affairs has announced that as from January 2013, all non-Maltese nationals who legally reside in Malta and who hold identity cards and/or residence permit stickers in their passport are required to replace such documentation with the new e-residence document. Such document will consist of a plastic card format which will contain the information of the current Identity Cards and Residence Permits.
Applicants are required to personally visit the offices of the Department when applying for such e-residence document in order to be photographed by officials of the Department. In the case of Third Country Nationals, biometric data (two index fingers) of the applicant will also be captured.
Persons who are EU, EEA, Swiss nationals, their family members and children under the age of 12 are exempt from the biometric capture (finger prints).
Requirements
- These depend on the individual’s nationality and residence status
Benefits
- Access a number of electronic services provided by the Government and other parties
- May opt to vote at the Local Council Elections and/or EU Parliament Elections
- Obtain an e-lD subscription
- Discounted public transport fares
Duration of process
Applications for e-residence cards are only accepted by prior appointment with the department and take between 4-8 weeks to be processed.
Chetcuti Cauchi may assist you with the e-residence card process
Current Residence Documents
- Residence permit in the sticker format will remain valid until their expiry or until the 30the June 2013 whichever is the earlier
- lD Cards will remain valid until their expiry date or until 31st March 2013 whichever is the earlier
