Malta long-stay (Type D) visa
Required documents, fees and processing time for a Malta long-stay (Type D) Schengen visa when you apply from United States.
SCHENGEN · VISA C✈ DOCUMENTS
🇲🇹 Malta·····✈·····🇺🇸 from United States
To
Malta
Type
D · LONG STAY
Apply at
USA
Centre
VAC
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Action neededLong stay — national (Type D) · applying from United States.
Documents ready00 / 11
Competent authority
Central Visa Unit, Identita (Malta) - decided centrally/online; not covered by short-stay representation agreements
Application centre
VFS Global 'Malta Extended Services' centres in the USA (e.g. Washington DC and other MES centres) for intake; decision by the Central Visa Unit, Identita
Recommended — commonly expected even when not on the official list
Cover letterA letter of introduction stating who you are and why you are travelling.
Fees
Consular (Type C)
€90
Service fee
$0
Est. total (adult)
$100
Long stay (Type D)
—
The short-stay (Type C) consular fee is harmonised at €90 for adults across all Schengen states; collected in USD · centre: direct_consulate.
Fee notes
Direct at Embassy of Malta DC by appointment. No VFS/BLS VAC. D not confirmed.
Timeline
medium confidenceProcessing
15–45 days
End-to-end
3–8 weeks
Centre
VAC
Appointment wait
Roughly 1-3 weeks in normal periods; longer in peak summer (Jun-Aug).
Application centre
VFS Global (US); no US consulate network of its own. Centres in NY, SF, LA, Houston, Chicago, Boston, Washington DC, Miami; forwarded to Maltese consular authorities. Jurisdiction by nearest VFS centre.
Timeline notes
Harmonised baseline applies. VFS service fee ~$105 plus Schengen visa fee.
Funds to show
high confidenceThe figures below are the short-stay (Type C) means of subsistence. A long-stay (Type D) visa sets its funds requirement nationally by purpose (study, work, family reunification, income) — check the consulate for the amount that applies to your case.
Per day
€48
Minimum
—
In EUR ≈
as shown
Notes
Practice is to ensure persons entering Malta have a minimum of EUR 48 per day for the duration of their visit.
Consulates apply discretion and may expect a buffer above this figure — treat it as a floor, not a guarantee.
Funds source ↗⚠ Special cases & caveats
- Employment purposeAdd Approval in Principle (AIP) letter, VFS appointment letter, Skills Pass if tourism/hospitality.
- Study purposeAdd MFHEA-registered enrolment letter + payment proof; funds >=75% national minimum wage/month; apply >=9 weeks before course start.
- Family reunificationAdd family-reunification certificate (Expatriates Unit), sponsor invitation, legalised/translated marriage & birth certificates, host's Maltese residence card.