Malta
Malta joined the EU in 2004, but under the terms of a seven-year transitional agreement, it is entitled to give priority to Maltese workers over other EU nationals. As part of a safeguard against an influx of foreign workers, Malta kept its work permit scheme. EU nationals still have to apply for work permits and need to have an offer of employment to work in the country. To gain a role, you must have a skill or training that is lacking in Malta.
It can take quite a long time to find a job in Malta and it may be several months before you hear back about a job application or a speculative query. Sometimes you will not hear back at all. It is easier to find opportunities if you are in the country but, generally speaking, it is extremely difficult for foreigners to find work.
As in the UK, work experience counts for a lot when an employer is recruiting a graduate so you are unlikely to impress if you do not have work experience listed on your CV. Around a third of Maltese graduates return to work full time for employers they have already worked with, often in the public sector.
Your CV should be up to two pages in length and should be similar to the standard European format, focusing on personal details, education, work experience, languages, computer skills, particularly areas of competence and hobbies. The covering letter should be no more than one page.
Interviews are the most important part of the application procedure in Malta and employers will want examples of achievements.
If you wish to compare your professional, vocational or technical qualifications with Maltese qualifications, you can consult ENIC-NARIC . You may also want to check with the UK National Europass Centre (UK NEC) for information on how to make your skills and qualifications easily understood in Malta.
If you are planning to live and work in Malta, check your UK tax and National Insurance position with HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) to ensure that you are not losing any UK pension rights.
Be aware that the overwhelming majority of job vacancies in Malta are geared towards Maltese nationals.
See also the Kidon Media-Link for access to other Maltese newspapers.
Seasonal jobs in bars and restaurants are usually advertised only in the venues themselves.
Acting as a tour rep or English teacher is a possibility, but most jobs in these areas go to Maltese citizens.
Many vacancies are filled by word of mouth. Most foreign workers in Malta spend a few weeks mixing with local people and then obtain jobs through their networking.
There are plenty of organisations who do need qualified, hard-working staff. The job search in Malta is not as easy as other destinations, but persistence will pay off.
IAESTE (The International Association for the Exchange of Students for Technical Experience) provides a number of traineeships for overseas science, engineering and applied arts undergraduates. Students receive practical training experience relevant to their studies. Students can register their interest from the September prior to placement and potential placements are notified in February of each year.
AIESEC (Association Internationale des Etudiants en Sciences Economiques et Commerciales) offers graduates the opportunity to experience living and working in another country.
Teaching English as a foreign language offers a lot of opportunities in Malta. Visit Maltese Association of Teachers of English as a Foreign Language (MATEFL) for information about what is available.
A list of organisations offering opportunities for volunteers can be found through the European Youth Portal .
You can try contacting the recruitment agencies listed in the Yellow Pages (Malta) , but word of mouth is more likely to be effective.
Malta has only one higher education establishment - the University of Malta , which traces its origins back to 1592. There are around 10,000 students at the university with over 750 foreign and exchange students from nearly 60 different countries.
Further information about education in Malta is available from the Government of Malta website.
Research degrees are offered only in areas of study where expert supervision is available.
Postgraduate diplomas/certificates take one year, MA courses typically take 12-18 months, MSc courses 6-18 months, MPhil programmes 15 months, and PhD programmes three years. All MPhil and PhD degrees are by research.
All courses are taught in English.
There is only one university in Malta - the University of Malta. The academic year consists of two semesters: October to January; and February to July.
The European Institute of Education (EIE) offers a small range of programmes including MBAs in banking, business and tourism, as well as diplomas in management.
Check with the University of Malta or the European Institute of Education (EIE) for details of the requirements for the programme of study you are interested in.
Applications for academic year 2011-2012 will be accepted from November 2010. See the International and EU office at the University of Malta for more information.
Application dates for the European Institute of Education (EIE) may vary.
An application form can be downloaded from the University of Malta website.
For the European Institute of Education (EIE), contact the institution.
There is an annual enrolment fee of €400 and tuition fees can range from €350 per semester for a part-time course to over €4,000 for some full-time Masters courses. See the University of Malta for more details.
For the European Institute of Education (EIE), contact the institution.
The University of Malta is not in a position to offer any scholarships to students from overseas.
UK students on undergraduate degree programmes or postgraduate Masters and some PhD programmes may be interested in spending time studying in Malta through the Erasmus scheme. This programme is open to all subject areas, but check with your institution's Erasmus coordinator first (usually based in the international office) to see which countries they have links with and in what subject areas.
Malta is a member of ENIC-NARIC , which is a network of national centres that aims to improve academic recognition of diplomas and periods of study in European Union (EU) member states, EEA countries and associated countries in Central and Eastern Europe.
UK NARIC (National Recognition Information Centre for the United Kingdom) provides information and advice on vocational, academic and professional qualifications from over 180 countries worldwide, including Malta.
Visas: For visits to Malta of three months or less, nationals of Australia, Canada, New Zealand or European Union (EU) member states do not require a visa. Nationals of these countries may remain in the Maltese Islands for a period of three months from their date of entry.
Work permits: Employment licences (work permits) are a requirement for all non-Maltese people who wish to work in Malta. This applies even to EU citizens under the terms of an agreement obtained in 2004 when Malta joined the EU, which will remain in place till 2014.
Employment licences are issed by the Government of Malta . An application form is available from the government website, but you must have an offer of employment before you can apply. Licences are difficult to obtain and are only issued when no Maltese national is available to do the job, or when the applicant has a specialist skill or qualification lacking in Malta. Licences are generally issued for one year and may be renewed.
Foreigners who hold a 40% stake in a Maltese company may be granted an employment licence on an indefinite basis.
Further information is available from Legal-Malta .
If you are not a citizen of Australia, Canada, New Zealand or the EU, contact your nearest Maltese embassy for information. Links to embassies around the world are available at Embassies Worldwide .
Conditions for permanent residence are quite complex and largely dependent on your income. Information is available from Legal-Malta as well as from the Government of Malta website.
The The Employment and Training Corporation is Malta’s state employment service. The website includes an online vacancy database that can be searched by industry, professional area, job title and region and also provides contact details of the local employment offices.
You can also get contact details for European Employment Services advisers in Malta through EURES - European Job Mobility Portal . EURES advisers are trained specialists who provide information and guidance to jobseekers interested in working in Malta.
The University of Malta has a careers service for its own student population.
If you are a UK citizen, the British High Commission - Malta can help if you are a victim of crime, if you need a local lawyer, if you need a doctor, if someone dies or if you are arrested, as well as with issues such as child abduction and missing persons. Check the High Commission website for details of the assistance available.
The emergency telephone number is 112 for all the emergency services.
Find the latest travel advice and a traveller’s checklist on the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) .
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