Central Visa Unit
Government Visa and Residence Office · Identità, Triq il-Wied, Msida MSD 9020, Malta
Enquire through VisitMalta.co.ukServices, hours and details last checked against Central Visa Unit's own published information.
The Central Visa Unit is the part of Identità, Malta's government identity and migration agency, that issues visas under national policy and the Schengen rules. The agency is based on Triq il-Wied in Msida and also issues residence documents and permits through its Expatriates Unit. Send your enquiry through the VisitMalta.co.uk form on this page and we will pass it on.
The Central Visa Unit is the visa office of Identità, the Maltese government agency responsible for identity management and migration. It issues visas according to national policy and the provisions of the Schengen Acquis, the set of shared rules that govern short-stay visas for the European countries in the Schengen area. For a UK reader planning a longer stay, a study period or a move to the island, it is one of the offices that sits behind the paperwork.
Identità is based on Triq il-Wied in Msida. This page explains what the unit handles and how the agency is organised, and it is not legal or immigration advice. The unit appears in our directory of immigration consultants in Malta so that readers can find the official body alongside private advisers.
What Identità is
Identità was established in 2013 under Subsidiary Legislation 595.07 and is governed by the Public Administration Act. It brings together several functions under one corporate identity: e-ID cards, e-Passports, visas, residence documents, acts of civil status and public deeds. It aims for the highest level of service excellence without compromising security.
The agency is organised into units. The Identity Cards Unit issues e-ID cards to Maltese citizens, the Passport Office issues e-Passports to Maltese citizens, and the Public Registry records civil status certificates for births, marriages and deaths. The Searches Unit deals with wills, hypothec and privilege notes and searches on individuals and firms in connection with property transfers. The Central Visa Unit and the Expatriates Unit cover the two areas that matter most to people arriving from abroad. Other units work from different addresses: the Identity Cards Unit offices are at Gattard House in Blata l-Bajda and the Passport Office is at Onda Building on Aldo Moro Road in Marsa, so check which office your appointment is at.
What the Central Visa Unit handles
The unit's site sections cover National Visa, Student Visa and Schengen Visa, together with a page for applicable fees and applications. Each visa type has its own section, so a visitor, a student or a longer-stay applicant should start with the section that matches their purpose and then follow the instructions given there.
Identità also runs a dedicated visa booking system, one of several online booking pages. The agency's appointment system lets you book online rather than turn up unannounced. Because requirements depend on nationality and purpose of stay, check the official visa pages or ask the unit before you travel.
Residence documents and the Expatriates Unit
Residence is handled by a sister unit. The Expatriates Unit issues residence documents to EU nationals and residence permits to nationals of third countries, and it is responsible for implementing migration policies. Its pages are divided into EU nationals, non-EU nationals and British nationals, and there is an Expatriates Portal for online services.
Booking pages are set out separately for single permits, EU nationals and non-EU nationals. If you are weighing up a move, our guide to relocating to Malta and our digital nomad guide explain the wider picture, and a professional firm such as CLA Malta can support residence applications for clients who prefer an adviser.
Getting in touch and planning your visit
The agency's contact page asks you to choose the right support section from a drop-down menu, enter your details and submit your request. Separate contact points exist for Malta and for Gozo, covering areas such as passports, ID cards and expatriate residency cards.
If you are travelling from Britain, our guide to flights to Malta will help you plan the journey. When you are ready, use the VisitMalta.co.uk enquiry form on this page, tell us whether your question is about a visa or residence, and we will pass your message on to the Central Visa Unit.
Questions about Central Visa Unit
What is the Central Visa Unit?
It is the visa office of Identità, the Maltese government agency responsible for identity management and migration. It issues visas according to national policy and the provisions of the Schengen Acquis.
Where is it based?
The unit forms part of Identità, whose offices are at Triq il-Wied in Msida, Malta. The agency also has contact points for Gozo, covering services such as passports, ID cards and expatriate residency cards.
Which visa types does the unit cover?
The unit's pages cover National Visa, Student Visa and Schengen Visa, with a section for applicable fees and applications. Check the page that matches your purpose of stay before you apply.
Who handles residence permits?
Residence is handled by the Expatriates Unit, which issues residence documents to EU nationals and residence permits to third-country nationals. It has separate sections for EU nationals, non-EU nationals and British nationals.
Can I book an appointment online?
Yes. Identità runs an online appointment system with separate booking pages for visas, EU nationals, non-EU nationals, single permits, passports, ID cards and public registry services, so you can choose the one that matches your need.
How do I ask a question from the UK?
Use the VisitMalta.co.uk enquiry form on this page and say whether you are asking about a visa or about residence. We will pass your message on. This page is general information, not legal advice.
Practical information
The Central Visa Unit forms part of Identità, whose offices are at Triq il-Wied, Msida MSD 9020, Malta. Identità runs an online appointment system, with separate booking pages for visas, EU nationals, non-EU nationals, single permits, passports and the public registry. The agency's support request form asks you to pick the right section before you send your question. To ask about visas or residence, send your details through the enquiry form on this page and VisitMalta.co.uk will pass your message on.
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The details on this page were correct on 25 October 2026, as published on the Central Visa Unit website. Services, prices and hours can change, so please confirm when you enquire.