What is this website for? +
This website gives information for non-EU / non-EEA / non-EFTA nationals who want to work in Malta. It explains the Pre-Departure Course and the Skills Pass.
Who must use this website? +
All foreign workers who want to apply for a first work permit in Malta must use this website to obtain the necessary information on the Pre-Departure course.
What is the Pre-Departure Course? +
The Pre-Departure Course is a mandatory online course. You must complete it before applying for a work permit.
Is the Pre-Departure Course mandatory? +
Yes. All non-EU / non-EEA / non-EFTA nationals must complete it.
What is a claimed sector? +
A claimed sector is a sector that needs special training or assessment by law. Tourism and Hospitality is currently the only claimed sector.
Do tourism and hospitality workers need more than the Pre-Departure Course? +
Yes. Tourism and hospitality workers must also complete the Skills Pass.
What do I learn in the Pre-Departure Course? +
You learn about living in Malta, local rules, culture, transport, health services, and work rights and duties.
How is the course given? +
The course is online through Coursera, with videos and reading material.
Are there exams? +
Yes. There are online exams with simple questions. Each exam takes about 30 minutes.
Who must do Phase 2? +
All candidates applying for their first work permit and not working in Malta.
What happens after I pass Phase 1 and Phase 2? +
You receive your Pre-Departure Certificate and can apply for the Single Permit.
What is the Skills Pass for Tourism and Hospitality? +
The Skills Pass shows that you are ready to work in hotels, restaurants or tourism businesses in Malta.
When do I do the Skills Pass? +
You do the Skills Pass after completing the Pre-Departure Course.
What does the Skills Pass include? +
It includes customer care, the Maltese tourism product, online learning, exams and an interview when required.
How do I register on the portal? +
You create an account, enter your details, upload documents and accept the terms and conditions.
What happens if I give false information? +
Your account will be suspended and no refund will be given.
Can I use expired documents? +
No. Using expired documents will permanently suspend your account.
How do I receive my certificate? +
Certificates are issued digitally weekly through Blockcerts.
Which jobs are excluded from the need to have the Tourism & Hospitality Skills pass? +

All persons who will be working within the Tourism & hospitality Sector in Malta need to have the skills pass, but there are some roles which are excluded as from the 5th January 2026.

The following is a non-exhaustive list of these jobs:
- Employees working in Accounts
- Employees working in Marketing
- Employees working in HR
- Employees working in Stores
- Cleaners & Kitchen Porters

In cases where jobs are not listed above, please send an e-mail to [email protected].

What is the difference between the Pre-Departure Course and the Full Skills Pass in simple terms? +

The Pre departure is a Mandatory step that needs to be done by everyone as this is Mandatory by Law.

Kindly note that if candidate will be working within the Hospitality Industry or with an establishment that has an MTA licence you would need to do the Skills Pass also, with the exception of certain occupations. If unsure of this, do not be afraid to contact us.

Is the Skills Pass a training course, an exam, or a certification process? +
Both the Pre-Departure & the Skills Pass although there are exams to be completed both are certified (candidates needs to have this process in order to obtain their documentation from Identita’).
Who issues the Skills Pass certificate – ITS, Identita’, or another entity? +
Certificates for both PDC & Skillspass are solely issued from ITS (candidates needs to have these documents to obtain their documentation from Identita’).
Does passing the Skills Pass guarantee a work permit, or is it only one requirement? +

With the Skills Pass you can apply for the Work permit. (Newcomer to Malta)

If the candidate is already in Malta & holds a valid Maltese work permit, they will be exempted. This exemption is temporary only and not permanent. Kindly check with Identita’ Malta for how long this exemption is valid.

How long are the certificates valid once issued? +
Once the Whole PDC & Skills Pass process is completed there is no expiry for it. This remains valid.
Why is everything still called Phase 1 when there are clearly two different sets of courses? +

The newly implemented system is made up of two parts:

  • The Pre Departure Course (PDC)
  • Skill Pass

The Pre Departure Course (PDC) is made up of two sections:

Part 1: Four Online Exams which are:

  • Living & Integrating in Malta
  • Rights & Obligations at the Workplace
  • English Proficiency Exam

Following this the Candidate needs to do an exam which relates to the occupation he/ she is/ will be working in.

After this is done there is the Second part of the Pre Departure Course (PDC), this is an onsite interview which the candidate has to physically attend at a VFS Centre this will take 30 minutes in which the candidate will be asked more to follow up questions related to the questions they were asked in the previous online exams.

If this part of the Pre Departure Course (PDC) is passed the candidate will receive Pre Departure Course (PDC) certification of completion.

The Pre departure is a Mandatory step that needs to be done by everyone coming to work in Malta as this is Mandatory by Law.

Regarding the skills Pass this has remained as it knows there were no changes in this portion of the exam.

In conclusion an individual who will be working within the Hospitality Industry or with an establishment that holds an MTA licence they would need to do the whole Process (PDC & Skills Pass.

What exactly is covered in the single Phase 2 interview? +
With regards to the Phase 2 interviews in both the PDC & the Skills Pass it will be a continuation of what was asked in the phase1 online exams, additionally the candidate will be tested on their English language proficiency skills as well how he/she works in their role/ occupation. This is done by being given a scenario that may arise during the operation & their way of dealing with said scenario.
Is the English Proficiency Test assessed online, during the interview, or both? +
This is assessed in Both online as well as during the interview.
If someone fails one assessment, do they need to repeat the entire phase? +
Candidates have 2 free trials. If they fail both times they would need to pay for the third, try. If they also fail on the third attempt they will be blocked from the system for a month. After this, the candidate would need to pay the same fee again.
Can Phase 2 be done before completing all Phase 1 assessments? +
Phase 2 must be done after the Phase 1 is completed. Bookings for the Phase 2 are not open yet. Booking for Phase 2 will commence on Monday 16.02. Candidates are not currently able to book before this date.
Why are there two different fees (€245 and €230)? +

Pre Departure is for the Price of € 245 + €5 second interview fee total € 250.00

Skills Pass is for the price of € 225.00

If an individual will be doing both part total amount is of €475.00

What does the €5 second interview fee apply to, and who pays it? +
This needs to be paid by every candidate as this is part of the PDC section.
Are fees refundable if a candidate fails or withdraws? +
If a candidate fails no refunds will be issued, in regard to withdraws this is up to senior management discretion as well as on the instance that leads to these circumstances.
If someone is already in Malta, do they still need the Pre-Departure Course? +
If the candidate has an active work permit, they should not need the Predeparture Course. Currently they should be able to apply for their renewal or change in employer application without the Skills pass, but this will likely change in the future.
Do renewal applicants ever need to redo the Pre-Departure Course? +
If the individual holds a valid Maltese work permit, they will be exempted. This exemption is temporary only and not permanent. Please check with Identita’ Malta for how long this exemption is valid.
Are summer students required to complete both phases? +
The Summer Students applicants have their own registration to use. Summer Candidate accounts are only valid for 6 months & can be used for Part time Jobs Only. There are no exams to be undertaken in this account. Following the 6 months the certificate will not remain valid & cannot be extended further.
Do qualified candidates with EU/Maltese qualifications still need the Skills pass and need to do both phase 1 and phase 2? +
If the Individual will be working within the Hospitality Industry or with an establishment that has an MTA licence they would need to do the Skills Pass also (Both Phase 1 & Phase 2).
What proof is required to show someone is a “qualified candidate”? +
The copy of the certificates uploaded must be signed by either a notary or a lawyer as a certified true copy or submitted alongside an MQRIC statement. Also for the qualifications to be accepted they need to be from a local institution or a European/UK institution. Otherwise, they will be rejected.
If someone changes from an exempt role to a front-facing role, do they then need the Skills Pass? +
If the individual holds a valid Maltese work permit, they will be exempted. This exemption is temporary only and not permanent. Please check with Identita’ Malta for how long this exemption is valid.
Do existing Skills Pass holders need to register on the new portal? +
Existing Skills Pass Holders who finalised the whole Skills Pass or are in the process to finish (waiting to do phase 2) do not need to do the whole process again.