Malta
Pre-Departure
Course

Generally no. Identità's guidance describes applicants who hold or have previously held a Single Permit (with limited exceptions), and third-country nationals who have been resident in Malta for eight years or more, as exempt from the requirement. If you're unsure whether an exception applies to you, the official Identità page is the authority — this guide only summarises it.

Official sources consistently describe the mandatory course as totalling €250 — shown on the Skills Pass site as "€245 + €5 (Phase 2 booking fee)" and on the Identità site simply as "€250". If your role also requires the Tourism & Hospitality Skills Pass, budget for an additional amount on top — see the cost section above for how the official figures for that add-on differ slightly between pages.

According to the official Skills Pass FAQ, no refund is issued if a candidate fails an assessment. Refunds for withdrawals are described as being "up to senior management discretion" — there is no published automatic-refund policy for withdrawals.

Identità's guidance states that candidates have up to 42 days to complete Part 1 (the two mandatory online modules) once they start. Build in extra time before any visa or travel deadline, since the live interview also needs to be scheduled and attended.

Only if you're entering a role in the tourism and hospitality sector — specifically, the official FAQ describes it as required "if candidate will be working within the Hospitality Industry or with an establishment that has an MTA licence." Everyone else completing a first-time Single Permit application needs only the Pre-Departure Course itself.

Official registration guidance asks for a passport copy and a recent passport-size photograph when creating your account. You'll also need your employer's details — the Skills Pass process requires your employer to register you before you can enrol as a candidate. Have that information ready before you start. For the most current list of required documents, the official Skills Pass portal is the authority; requirements can change.

Identità's guidance describes candidates as having up to 42 days from when they begin the online modules — meaning the timer starts when you actively start Part 1, not when you register or create your account. If you're working close to a visa or travel deadline, start earlier than you think you need to: Phase 2 (the live interview) still needs to be booked and attended after Part 1 is confirmed, and scheduling slots can take time.

The Phase 2 interview is described officially as assessing two things: your English-language proficiency and your understanding of the module content covered in the two online courses. The official Skills Pass FAQ notes that English proficiency is assessed at a basic level. It is not a professional competence or technical skills assessment. For a closer look at what to expect and how the interview is conducted, see the interview guide.

The Pre-Departure Course certificate is described as having no expiry date once issued. From 1 March 2026, Identità formally verifies this certificate as part of Single Permit applications — you do not need to renew it. If your circumstances change significantly (such as a gap of many years before applying), confirming directly with Identità that the certificate remains sufficient for your application is the safest approach.