Malta Golden Visa/Passport

Why Apply For The Malta Golden Visa Citizenship

The power dynamics of the world, in contemporary times, relies greatly on perception. The influence an individual has on the society is measured largely upon how widely recognized a person is in different circles.

For anyone who wishes to seek out business, academic, professional or even recreational opportunities beyond the borders of one’s own country, the perception of a passport becomes the most crucial factor. Having more than one citizenship goes a long way in enabling access to a wide array of bonuses which would otherwise not be available. Just like an honorary degree or a designation, a person may acquire the citizenship of a select group of nations by making certain investments. The most tangible boon of acquiring citizenships of certain countries is having the luxury of visa-free travel to a larger number of countries. Besides, a powerful passport can positively impact the perception of an individual in matters related to business, education or even leisure travel.

Fortunately, acquiring citizenships no longer entails stressful paperwork or long periods of wait. With citizenship by investment programmes becoming more accessible, a person can easily get an influential passport by simply making the required investments. According to recent trends, amongst the most popular and globally successful programs of its kind is the Malta citizenship by investment program option. The beneficiaries of the Malta Individual Investor Program vouch for its numerous advantages and takers for the Malta golden visa citizenship is growing by the day.

Benefits of the Malta Golden Visa Citizenship

There are two very feasible routes to the Malta Golden passport program; citizenship by investment, also called the Malta Individual Investment Program, or the citizenship by residency which allows indefinite residency in Malta. While the former, which is positioned to attract individuals with a high net worth, entails a larger monetary contribution, the latter involves a relatively lower processing fee. The end result is highly worthwhile with the possession of the Malta golden passport and the Malta golden visa citizenship within a period of a year. As a member of several important global organizations, such as the European Union (including the Eurozone and European Free Trade Association), United Nations and the International Monetary Fund, Malta provides its citizens the advantage of visa-free travel as well as the right to settle anywhere in the Schengen area.

Here is a list of the benefits of the Malta Golden Visa program:

• Access to as many as 165 destinations on a visa free or visa on arrival basis
• The right to stay, earn, and pursue education across all 28 member states of the European Union, including Switzerland
• Malta follows a strict due diligence process to vet out applicants, thus ensuring only credible and genuine applicants get the citizenship
• Citizenship of an economically and politically influential EU country
• Reasonable contribution and fast-track application process
• A pleasant place to reside or own a second home in a strategically located Central European country which further benefits from excellent transport links across the sea and air
• Flexible taxation policies
• Malta allows dual citizenship – by acquiring the Maltese citizenship, applicants need not forgo their native citizenship or passport but rather enjoy the benefits of both citizenships, as long as the applicant’s home country allows dual citizenship planning as well.

Eligibility requirements to apply for the Malta golden visa

• The individual must be a minimum age of 18 years;
• All necessary requirements as outlined in the application must be met;
• The applicant must have a primary citizenship and be in possession of valid travel documentation;
• A relevant policy for health insurance must be taken out by the applicant;
• The applicant must have an annual income of at least €100,000 arising outside of Malta or owns capital of not less than €500,000; and
• The individual’s application is not against Malta’s public interest and has been made on legitimate means.

Over and above the aforementioned eligibility criteria, there are a further two requirement categories which must be met by applicants on the Malta golden passport program; these cover those which are financial in nature as well as more general requirements. In terms of the non-financial conditions, the applicant must provide certification from valid sources which evidence a clear criminal history and record, good physical health and proof they are a minimum age of 18 years. Meanwhile, the financial requirements have to do with various options for the required investment contributions.

However, the overall application process requires that applicants make payment only once they have received the Maltese government’s precursory approval. Financial requirements for Malta Citizenship can be split further into the three following categories:

• A contribution payment made to the country’s National Development and Social Fund.
• A minimum €150,000 investment amount which is made in any stocks, bonds, securities or debentures which are approved by the Maltese government and listed on the stock exchange.
• A real estate investment in local Maltese property, which comes with a minimum five year commitment from the candidate to retain immovable property, and no option to let or sublet the property during that time.

Additional costs may also be incurred during the application process. These include €7,500 in due diligence fees submitted by the primary applicant, alongside fees related to their dependents. A €5,000 cost applies to the candidate’s spouse, parents or adult children, while this fee reduces to €3,000 for any children ages between 13-17 years. These investment amounts vary depending on the applicant’s need and the citizenship route one opts for.

Malta Golden Passport

The Malta Golden Passport program is generally classified under two heads: these include the IIP (Individual Investor Program) and IRVP (Indefinite Residency Visa Program).

The latter option provides successful applicants with the benefit of indefinite leave to live and stay in the country, which extends to all advantages afforded to EU Schengen nation citizens. A €250,000 contribution in any government bonds or equities for at least a 5 year duration is required from applicants pursuing the Maltese citizenship by residency route. Furthermore, a €30,000 investment must be made to Malta’s State of Funds, in addition to a compulsory property purchase or tenancy investment within Malta. A €40,000 processing fee may also apply.

With its fast processing time, fair costs and the many advantages available through this route, it is no wonder that it is becoming increasingly popular as a way to secure a secondary citizenship and gain access to an impressively ranked passport. Through the Malta Golden Visa, individuals can gain lifelong permanent EU citizenship, allowing the beneficiaries to work, settle, travel to or even build an establishment across all the 28 different member states of the EU, such as Switzerland.

The Individual Investor Program requires a €650,000 investment to the country’s government maintained National Development Fund, along with a contribution worth €150,000 in financial instruments which are approved by the Maltese government, and a commitment to reside in Malta for a minimum of 5 years, albeit not permanently. Applicants are advised that their property investment in local Maltese real estate should be of a minimum €350,000 value.

Candidates are able to pass on the Citizenship by Investment to their immediate family and any future descendants. However, if they wish to include this option in the application process, they must make further payments in the form of a €25,000 contribution per additional dependent to the National Development Fund. Through this program, candidates can receive a citizenship of Malta and access to the Malta golden visa in a 12 month period.

Regardless of which program you opt for, successful applicants are eligible for a tremendous number of benefits. You will receive certification, serving as a permit for residency and which entitles both you and any of your registered dependents to stay and reside in the country indefinitely after the citizenship by investment program, and for five years, renewable indefinitely within the citizenship by residency program.

Due to the country being involved in the Schengen Area Agreement, Maltese citizens from the program can travel through much of Schengen Europe without the need to obtain a permit for travel. This also opens up candidates to a wealth of professional and educational opportunities available exclusively to citizens of the European Unions. Within the first five years from the issue date from the Maltese government, this identity certificate is subject to an annual review, and is subject to reviewal every five year period after this time.

There are numerous benefits that are made available through the Malta Golden Passport, making it amongst the best ranked passports across the globe, according to several global passport indexes.

• Visa-free travel in as many as 124 different nations, with a further 41 countries being accessible through a visa on arrival basis, such as theS. and Canada
• The Malta Golden Passport provides candidates with citizenship to the EU, which is permanent and lifelong. This allows candidates to travel, work and settle in any of the EU’s 28 member nations, including Switzerland.
• There is no requirement to permanently reside in Malta in order to be eligible for the passport.
• There are also no compulsory language or citizenship tests which must be completed as part of the Malta Golden Passport program (in fact, English is a common language across the country), and no military service is compulsory either.
• The entire application process is quick, and approval can usually be granted in just a short 3-4 month period, with full citizenship being finalised in the span of a year.
• Applicants can incorporate their entire family within a single citizenship application, including their spouse, children and parents.
• Citizenship of Malta can be inherited by immediate descendants who in turn can pass them onto their descendants.
• Malta benefits from an affordable taxation system, with candidates not being obliged to pay taxes until they have held residence in the country for more than six months. Moreover, taxes are based on domicile and remittance
• Malta has a beautiful location with advantageous transportation connections across both the sea and air, as well as excellent connectivity with the rest of the globe.
• An exceptional quality of life, owing to its stunning landscape and pleasant climate, along with its booming economy, stable politics and affordable living costs.
• Assuming the country of origin permits, Maltese citizenship also allows candidates to hold dual citizenships should they wish.

Life in Malta

Located in the Mediterranean Sea, with close proximity to Europe and North Africa, Malta is blessed with luxuriant landscapes and pleasant weather throughout the year. Since its independence from the British rule in 1964, Malta has maintained a steady and prosperous economy and has consistently had efficient governance, rated by the Economic Intelligence Unit as a “full democracy” in 2016. During the recent global economic meltdown, Malta and Germany were the only two countries to have recorded growth. Therefore, not only does Malta enjoy enormous popularity as a tourist destination but also is increasingly becoming an ideal choice for settling down for many.

In recent years, Malta has maintained an open door policy for prospective citizens through its citizenship by investment and citizenship by residency programs. These programs filter in only the highly respectful and deserving applicants from the rest and have significantly increased the high-income group population of Malta. There has been a 12 percent rise in the ultra-rich population of Malta due to the individual investment and the indefinite residency programs. With the rise in the stakes of various high-net-worth individuals in a comparatively smaller country like Malta, the global wealth has now been disseminated across different topographies and it has enabled a steady influx of business and career opportunities in Malta.

For all the above reasons and more, the power of the Malta golden passport has heightened in the recent past. With most passport indexes ranking Malta among the top ten countries, Malta’s stable political climate and deeply-linked international associations make it a lucrative destination for politically influential individuals as well. Moreover, the citizenship process conducts a rigorous background check on the individuals to ensure that only an exclusive group of people gain access to the benefits of the program. Having said that, the Malta golden visa citizenship does not discriminate on the basis of race, class or gender. The eligibility criterion are fairly straightforward and hassle-free.

Besides the apparent travel perks that the Malta golden visa ushers, the investment towards citizenship can lead to profitable gains for any beneficiary in the foreseeable future. This can be demonstrated on the basis of two categories. Firstly, the taxation laws in Malta depend on the pro-rata domicile and residence. For citizens residing outside Malta, the tax will only be levied on the basis of remittance. This means any capital gain made outside the country will not be taxed by the Maltese government, in spite of the citizenship. On the other hand, the purview of regular taxation will be applicable if there has been a physical presence of 183 days in the country.

The second factor that makes the Malta citizenship appealing to investors is the significant return on investment within a short period of time. Since 2009, the real estate market in Malta has shrunk in terms of value addition. While this has reduced the cost of the current properties, current economic trends predict a reasonable surge in the price of the country’s real estate assets in the upcoming years. This means, the candidates who invest in property in Malta are likely to reap profits on the current investment in the next few years. This further makes the investment in the Maltese citizenship a judicious one.

With a wide array of benefits and a reasonable cost, which in turn has its own foreseeable returns, acquired citizenships in Malta have become largely sought after. Further, the completion of the Malta Golden Passport / Visa program directly renders the applicant a de facto citizen of the European Union, making prospects of travel for work, education, diplomatic or even recreational pursuits infinitely more convenient. All of this without having to revoke one’s original citizenship! Appreciated and recognized globally, the program brings in immense gains for the beneficiaries and the time is rife to gain an empowered passport by making an informed investment in one of the top ranking citizenships in the world.