Sun-soaked Valletta, Gozo and crystal Mediterranean water — plus the comfort of an English-speaking country — make Malta very appealing to Indians. But be warned: Malta is one of the stricter Schengen consulates, with a notably higher refusal rate, so a bulletproof file matters. A Malta tourist visa is a short-stay (Type C) Schengen visa for up to 90 days, applied through VFS Global. At FastVisa123 (fastvisa123.com) we file Maltese Schengen applications for Indians for a flat fee.
Malta tourist visa at a glance
Type: Schengen short-stay (Type C), up to 90 days. Apply via: VFS Global. Fee: €90 adult + VFS service fee. Funds: about €48–65/day. Reputation: stricter than most — success rate roughly 60–65%, so make the file airtight. FastVisa123 builds exactly that.
⚠️ Malta-specific rules
Passport validity: Malta typically wants your passport valid for at least 8 months (stricter than the usual 3). Old passports: submitting your previous passports is mandatory for applicants from India. Insurance: from 1 January 2026, travel medical insurance is accepted only if issued by a company on the approved-companies list. We check all three before you submit.
Where to apply & the honest picture
Malta uses VFS Global — apply at the centre for your region, with an appointment for biometrics. Because Malta refuses a higher share of applications (success ~60–65%), it rewards a strong, consistent file: solid funds, clear purpose and genuine ties to India. If your profile is thin, a friendlier consulate may suit better — see our easiest-country guide and which-country guide.
Malta visa fees (2026)
| Applicant | Visa fee |
|---|---|
| Adult (18+) | €90 (about ₹9,000) |
| Child 6–12 | €45 |
| Child under 6 | Free |
| VFS service fee | Separate — non-refundable |
Funds & documents
Show around €48–65 per day with a comfortable buffer, via 3–6 months of branch-attested bank statements and ITR/Form 16. Documents: passport valid 8+ months (plus old passports), two ICAO/white-background photos, an approved-insurer €30,000 policy (insurance guide), a cover letter and itinerary, round-trip flight reservation, accommodation, and an NOC/leave letter. See proof of funds.
Malta visa: do vs don’t
✅ Do
Ensure 8+ months passport validity and include old passports. Buy approved-list insurance. Show strong, attested funds and clear ties. Keep everything consistent.
❌ Don’t
Don’t apply with a thin profile expecting an easy approval. Don’t forget old passports or use a non-approved insurer. Don’t show a sudden lump-sum deposit. Don’t tick Tourism for a family visit.
Approval green flags vs refusal red flags
🟢 Green flags (officers love these)
A steady 3–6 month bank balance backed by ITR; a clear, dated day-by-day itinerary; a confirmed return ticket and matching hotels; strong ties to India (job, family, property); an approved leave letter or NOC; and one consistent story across every document.
🔴 Red flags (officers refuse for these)
A sudden lump-sum deposit days before applying; a vague “Europe tour” with no real plan; dates that disagree across form, tickets and hotels; weak or no ties to India; ticking Tourism for a family visit; and applying at the wrong consulate.
💬 What applicants are actually saying
The loudest 2026 complaint in traveller communities is appointment slots vanishing within minutes, plus refusals for weak funds or unclear plans. Read real outcomes in our approved-or-rejected stories, the rejection-reasons guide, and how to grab a slot in our appointment-slots guide.
Processing & after the decision
Malta usually decides within about 15 working days, but with a higher refusal rate the strength of your file is decisive. A formal interview is uncommon (interview reality). If refused, fix the cause and reapply, or appeal; biometrics may be reused within ~5 years.
Malta is strict — we make your file airtight
FastVisa123 builds a bulletproof Malta application — funds, ties, approved insurance and old-passport checks — for a flat ₹10,000. Indian travellers, start at fastvisa123.com.
Malta tourist visa: 32 common questions answered
1. Where do I apply for a Malta tourist visa in India?
FastVisa123: Through VFS Global, with an appointment for biometrics. Apply at the centre for your region; the Maltese mission makes the decision.
2. Is Malta hard to get a visa from for Indians?
FastVisa123: Comparatively, yes — Malta has a higher refusal rate (success roughly 60–65%), so it rewards a strong, consistent file with solid funds, clear purpose and genuine ties to India.
3. Why is Malta’s rejection rate higher?
FastVisa123: Malta scrutinises funds, purpose and ties closely. Thin or inconsistent profiles are refused more often, so a bulletproof, well-documented application is essential.
4. How long must my passport be valid for Malta?
FastVisa123: Malta typically wants at least 8 months of validity — stricter than the usual 3 months — so check your passport early and renew if needed.
5. Do I need to submit my old passports for Malta?
FastVisa123: Yes. Submitting your previous passports is mandatory for applicants from India, so keep them ready with your application.
6. Does Malta require insurance from an approved list?
FastVisa123: Yes — from 1 January 2026, Malta accepts travel medical insurance only if issued by a company on its approved list. Do not buy a random policy; we confirm yours qualifies.
7. How much money do I need for a Malta visa?
FastVisa123: Around €48 to 65 per day with a comfortable buffer, shown via 3 to 6 months of attested statements backed by ITR. Strong funds matter even more given the higher refusal rate.
8. What is the Malta tourist visa fee?
FastVisa123: €90 for adults (about ₹9,000), €45 for children 6–12, free under 6, plus a separate VFS service fee.
9. How long does a Malta tourist visa take?
FastVisa123: Usually around 15 working days, longer in peak season. Apply several weeks ahead and make the file airtight.
10. Is Malta English-speaking?
FastVisa123: Yes — English is an official language, which many Indian travellers find convenient, though it does not make the visa easier; the file still must be strong.
11. Should I choose Malta if my profile is thin?
FastVisa123: Maybe not. Given the higher refusal rate, a thin first-time profile may do better at a friendlier consulate. See our easiest-country guide on fastvisa123.com.
12. Do I need ITR or Form 16 for a Malta visa?
FastVisa123: Yes, strongly recommended — the last 2 to 3 years of ITR or Form 16 to show your income genuinely supports your balance.
13. How many months of bank statements does Malta want?
FastVisa123: Typically 3 to 6 months, bank-issued and ideally branch-attested, showing a steady balance rather than a sudden deposit.
14. Should I tick Tourism or visiting family on the form?
FastVisa123: Tick the true purpose — visiting family/friends if you are staying with relatives, not Tourism. Mismatching is a common refusal reason.
15. What accommodation proof does Malta accept?
FastVisa123: Hotel or Airbnb bookings covering your whole stay, or a host’s invitation, matching your itinerary dates.
16. Do I need a confirmed flight ticket or a reservation?
FastVisa123: A confirmed round-trip reservation is enough for the application. Buy the paid ticket only after approval to avoid losing money if refused.
17. What are the photo requirements?
FastVisa123: Two recent ICAO-standard photos on a white background, neutral expression, no glasses, taken within 6 months. See our photo guide on fastvisa123.com.
18. Does my Malta visa cover Gozo and the rest of Schengen?
FastVisa123: Yes — a Schengen visa issued by Malta covers all of Malta including Gozo and Comino, plus the whole Schengen Area.
19. Do I apply to Malta if visiting other Schengen countries?
FastVisa123: Only if Malta is your main destination — the country of most nights or main purpose. Otherwise apply to that country.
20. What are common reasons Malta refuses a visa?
FastVisa123: Insufficient or unverified funds, an unclear purpose, weak ties to India, a non-approved insurer, missing old passports, or short passport validity.
21. What if my Malta visa is refused?
FastVisa123: Fix the exact reason — usually funds or ties — and reapply with a stronger file, or appeal within the deadline. See our reapply and appeal guides on fastvisa123.com.
22. Can FastVisa123 handle my Malta tourist visa application?
FastVisa123: Yes. FastVisa123 builds a bulletproof Malta file — funds, ties, approved insurance and old-passport checks — for a flat ₹10,000. Start at fastvisa123.com.
23. Do Indians need ETIAS for Malta?
FastVisa123: No. ETIAS is a travel authorisation only for visa-exempt nationalities, and Indian passport holders are not eligible — you must apply for a Schengen visa for Malta. Ignore any ‘ETIAS for India’ website; FastVisa123 files the actual visa you need.
24. Can I work or study in Malta on this tourist visa?
FastVisa123: No. A Type C tourist visa is strictly for tourism or visiting and cannot be used to work or study, nor converted from inside the Schengen Area. Long-term work or study needs a separate national visa applied for from India.
25. Can I extend my Malta tourist visa once I am there?
FastVisa123: Only in rare, unforeseeable cases such as serious illness or force majeure, applied for locally before it expires. Wanting more holiday time is not a valid reason, so plan your dates correctly.
26. Can I visit other Schengen countries on a Malta visa?
FastVisa123: Yes. A uniform Schengen visa issued by Malta lets you travel across all Schengen countries, as long as Malta remains your main destination and you stay within 90 days in any 180-day period.
27. Do my children need their own Malta visa?
FastVisa123: Yes. Each child needs a separate application and visa with their own photo, birth certificate, both parents’ consent and supporting documents. Children under 6 are usually free and ages 6–12 pay a reduced fee.
28. How do I track my Malta visa application?
FastVisa123: After you submit at VFS, you get a reference number to track the application online and by email, and a couriered passport is tracked via the courier using that number. FastVisa123 keeps you updated at every stage.
29. Is a VFS appointment mandatory for Malta, or can I walk in?
FastVisa123: An appointment is mandatory for almost all applicants, including minors, to give biometrics and submit documents, and each person needs their own. Assume an appointment is required and book early.
30. Can I apply for my whole family in one go?
FastVisa123: Each traveller needs a separate application, appointment and visa sticker for Malta, including every child; a parent signs for minors. You can attend together, but the files are assessed individually.
31. What if I apply too close to my travel date?
FastVisa123: Apply at least about 15 days before travel. Applications lodged with departure under 15 days away are usually returned unprocessed (fees may be refunded), so apply early — ideally 4–8 weeks ahead in peak season.
32. Can I enter Malta before my visa’s start date?
FastVisa123: No. You may enter only from the ‘valid from’ date on your sticker and must use the visa within its validity. Arriving early risks denied boarding or entry, so match your flights to the visa dates.
Refused by Malta? See what to do if your Malta visa is refused (reasons & appeal).
Official source: Official Malta government visa information