Candidate FAQs

Registration & Account

1. How do I register? You create an account, enter your details, upload documents, and accept the terms.
2. What happens if I give false information? Your account will be suspended, and no refund will be given.
3. Can I use expired documents? No. This will result in account suspension.
4. I registered as a Summer candidate. What do I do now? - After registering as a summer candidate, you must wait 5 to 7 working days to receive a free skills pass, valid for 6 months, that can only be used to work part-time.

General Questions

1. What is this website for? - This website gives information for foreign workers who want to work in Malta. It explains the Pre-Departure Course and the Skills Pass.
2. Who must use the Skills Pass website? - Third-Country Nationals who are required to complete the Pre-Departure Course or Skills Pass must use the Skills Pass website. This includes applicable candidates submitting a Single Permit application under New in Malta or Still Abroad, as well as candidates who are required to complete the Tourism and Hospitality Skills Pass. Different requirements may apply depending on the candidate's nationality, residence status, application type and occupation. Candidates registered with i Belong must also use the skills pass website.
3. When registering, I cannot find Malta in the list of countries, and I am currently living in Malta. What do I choose? - You must select the country of residence the same as your country of origin.
4. I am unable to start the exam due to camera access. What do I do? - Allow camera access from the browser or phone permissions through settings and then refresh the page and try again.
5. My phase 1 progression is stuck at 86%, what do I need to do? - You don't need to do anything. You must wait for a confirmation email, which will contain a link that directs you to the booking page of phase 2.
6. My progress is stuck at 57%, what do I do? - You must proceed to the catalogue page and select an occupation, then wait 5 to 7 working days to receive the confirmation email, which will contain a link that directs you to the booking page of phase 2.
7. How do I change my country of origin or country of residence? - To change your country of origin or country of residence, you must contact the Administrative Support Team. They will update it for you in the system.
8. How can I get a payment receipt? - To get a payment receipt, you must contact the Administrative Support Team. They will send the receipt to you by email.
9. I have a valid skills pass from last year. Do I need the pre-departure course? - No, if you hold a valid and complete skills pass certificate, you are not required to do the pre-departure course.
10. My Summer Student Skills Pass is expiring. Can I renew it? - No. Once your Summer Student Skills Pass expires, it cannot be renewed after 6 months. You must create a new account under Non-EU / Still Abroad and complete the course process under either the Pre-Departure sector or the Tourism sector, including payment.
11. My name is incorrect. How do I change it? - You must contact the Administrative Support Team. They will make the necessary changes in the system.
12. How do I change my profile picture? - You must contact the Administrative Support Team. They will update your profile picture in the system.
13. When will i get my phase 2 result? - The result for the phase 2 interview will be available on the portal 24 hours after completing your phase 2 interview, however the certificate will be issued 5 to 7 working days after successfully passing your phase 2 interview.
14. I want to work as a cleaning attendant, what do i need? - Cleaning attendants do not require the Tourism and Hospitality Skills Pass. However, the Pre-Departure Course is required where the candidate is submitting an applicable Single Permit application under New in Malta or Still Abroad.
15. When will I receive my final certificate? - The final certificate will be issued 5 to 7 working days after passing your phase 2 interview.
16. Which jobs in the tourism sector only require the pre-departure course and not the skills pass course? -  Janitor/ custodian (Cleaners) , Kitchen helpers, Marketing, accounts, stores and HR; working in the tourism sector, only require the pre-departure course and not the skills pass course.
17. How do I change my sector from Pre-Departure to Tourism? - To change the sector, the candidate must contact the administration team to make the changes to the account. The same applies if the candidate needs to change the account from tourism to pre-departure.
18. What happens if my phase 2 booking is rejected? - If the appointment is rejected, the candidate must proceed to the dashboard and rebook your appointment.
19. How can i cancel my phase 2 booking? - To delete a booking, the candidate must contact the administrative team to cancel the booking for them. Cancellation of appointments can only be done 48 hours before the date of the exam.
20. I completed my phase 1, when will I receive the confirmation email? - The confirmation email will be sent 5 to 7 working days after selecting your occupation and completing phase 1.
21. I get the error "Method not allowed" when I upload my proof of occupation. How can I fix it? - You must take a screenshot of the document you are trying to upload and upload the screenshot instead of the original document. Also make sure that the file size is less than 3 MB and that the file is in PNG or JPEG format.

Pre-Departure Course

1. What is the Pre-Departure Course? -  The Pre-Departure Course is an online course and assessment required for applicable Third-Country Nationals (TCNs) submitting a Single Permit application under New in Malta or Still Abroad. The course is not automatically required simply because a person intends to work in Malta. The requirement depends on the type of permit application being submitted. Candidates who already hold a valid and complete Skills Pass certificate are not required to complete the Pre-Departure Course again. That last paragraph preserves the existing exemption already stated elsewhere in the Candidate FAQs. 
2. Is the Pre-Departure Course mandatory? - Yes, where applicable. The Pre-Departure Course is required for Third-Country Nationals submitting a Single Permit application under New in Malta or Still Abroad. Where no Single Permit application is being submitted, the Pre-Departure Course is not required for that purpose. Candidates who already hold a valid and complete Skills Pass certificate are not required to complete the Pre-Departure Course again.
3. What do I learn in the course? - You will learn about living in Malta, rules, culture, transport, health services, and work rights.
4. How is the course given? - The course is online, with videos and reading material.
5. Are there exams? - Yes, exams for phase 1 are done from the candidate's device, while phase 2 is done at the nearest VFS centre.
6. How much does the Pre-Departure course cost? - The total fee is €245, plus a booking fee for Phase 2 of €5.
7. I chose the wrong occupation, what do I do? - If you selected the wrong occupation, under pre-departure, during registration, please contact the Skills Pass. Our team will review your case and determine whether you are eligible for an exemption letter. If an exemption applies, you will be informed accordingly. If an exemption does not apply, you will be provided with instructions on the next steps to correct your registration.

Skills Pass (Tourism & Hospitality)

1. What is a claimed sector? A claimed sector is a sector that needs extra training or assessment. these include luggage porter, receptionist, line chef, line waiter and bar waiter
2. Do tourism and hospitality workers need more than the Pre-Departure Course  - Yes, where the Tourism and Hospitality Skills Pass requirement applies, candidates must complete the applicable Skills Pass requirements. Where the candidate is also required to complete the Pre-Departure Course, the applicable Pre-Departure requirements must also be completed. Certain occupations, including cleaners, kitchen helpers, HR, marketing and accounts, only require the Pre-Departure Course.
3. What is the Skills Pass? - It shows that you are ready to work in tourism and hospitality in Malta with a certificate as confirmation.
4. When do I complete the Tourism and Hospitality Skills Pass? - Where both the Pre-Departure Course and Tourism and Hospitality Skills Pass are required, the candidate must complete phase 1 of both courses.
5. What does the Skills Pass include? - It includes learning courses, exams, and the phase 2 interview.
6. How much does the Skills Pass cost? - €475 and also a €5 booking fee.
7. Why were my qualifications rejected? - We only accept certificates from EU, EEA and EFTA countries and before submitting, these must be passed through MQRIC. Certificates obtained in Malta must only be signed and stamped by a notary/Lawyer before submitting to the website.

Phase 1 and Phase 2

1. What is Phase 1? - Phase 1 is the online learning courses and exams.
2. What is Phase 2? - Phase 2 is a short interview at a VFS centre.
3. Who must do Phase 2? - Everyone needs to do phase 2 as it is the final step of the pre-departure course.
4. When will I receive the confirmation email after completing phase 1? - After completing phase 1 exams and selecting an occupation from the catalogue page, you must wait 5 to 7 working days for the confirmation email.
5. What happens after passing Phase 1 and Phase 2? - You receive a certificate and can apply for a work permit.
6. How many attempts do I have for phase 1? - The first exam is free. One resit is included in the bundle. If the candidate still does not pass, they can take two more resits, each for €100.
7. What time should I arrive for my phase 2 appointment? - You need to be at the VFS centre 30 minutes before the start of the exam.
8. What do I do if i am late to my phase 2 appointment? - You may arrive up to 15 minutes late for your Phase 2 appointment. After 15 minutes, the assessment cannot be started. You  must then rebook the assessment after 24 hours including a 100 euro rebooking fee.
9. What do I need to bring for my phase 2 appointment? - You must bring your passport and your appointment confirmation letter.
10. What happens if I forget my passport for my phase 2 appointment? - We also accept a national ID issued by the government. If none of these is presented, the phase 2 appointment cannot be done, and you must then book a resit after 24 hours at an additional fee of €100.
11. How many attempts do I have for phase 2? - If registered under pre-departure, you are allowed 1 resit for phase 2, at the cost of €100. If you fail the resit, you will not be able to obtain the pre-departure certificate, and therefore you will be unable to obtain a work permit in Malta. If registered under Tourism, you are allowed 1 resit at the cost of €100 and failed phase 2 twice, the previously selected occupation cannot be chosen again.

Certificates

1. How do I receive my certificate? - Certificates are issued digitally through the system and also sent by email.
2. When will I receive my final certificate? - After completing phase 2, and receiving a pass mark, you must wait 5 to 7 working days for your certificate to be issued.