About this guide
India is one of the largest sources of Single Permit applicants to Malta. VFS Global — the organisation that operates the Pre-Departure Course interview centres — has an extensive network of centres across India, including in Mumbai, Delhi, Chennai, Kolkata, Hyderabad, Bengaluru, Chandigarh, and other major cities.
This page explains what the Malta Single Permit Pre-Departure Course means for Indian applicants. The course requirements are the same for all Third Country Nationals regardless of country of origin — this guide provides that information with the practical context most relevant to applicants from India.
What the Pre-Departure Course requires
The Pre-Departure Course is a requirement for non-EU nationals applying for a Malta Single Permit who do not already hold a permit or have eight or more years of continuous residence in Malta. It applies regardless of job sector.
The course runs through the official Skills Pass portal in two phases:
- Phase 1 — online modules (42 days): Two e-learning modules covering Malta civic life and workplace expectations. Can be completed from India.
- Phase 2 — live interview: An in-person or video interview assessing English language skills and comprehension of the course material.
The certificate is issued after passing both phases and submitted as part of the Single Permit application.
Where to sit the interview — from India
VFS Global operates the physical interview centres for this process. VFS Global has a presence in India, which means Phase 2 candidates based there can typically book their interview at a local centre rather than needing to travel to Malta first.
Your Phase 2 booking confirmation from the official Skills Pass portal will state the exact centre location and appointment details. Use that document — not general location listings — as the authoritative guide to where your interview takes place.
Completing Phase 1 from India
Phase 1 (both online modules) can be completed from India or from anywhere with a reliable internet connection, at any time after registering on the official Skills Pass portal. Many applicants complete Phase 1 before their travel or permit arrangements are finalised.
The 42-day Phase 1 window begins when you register — not when you first access the modules. Completing it promptly after registration avoids timing complications later in the process.
Frequently asked questions
- Which VFS Global centre in India handles the Pre-Departure Course interview?
- VFS Global operates across India in major cities including Mumbai, Delhi, Chennai, Kolkata, Hyderabad, Bengaluru, and Chandigarh. When you book your Phase 2 interview through the official Skills Pass portal, your booking confirmation will state the specific centre — check that, not general city lists, as availability can change.
- Can I do the course while I am still in India before travelling to Malta?
- Yes — Phase 1 (the two online modules) can be completed from anywhere with an internet connection, including from India. Phase 2 (the live interview) is an in-person appointment, and for candidates in India, this would typically be at a VFS Global centre. Many applicants complete Phase 1 in India before their travel arrangements are finalised.
- Does the Pre-Departure Course certificate expire before I travel?
- Official materials do not describe a short expiry window that would make a certificate earned in India become invalid by the time you arrive in Malta. The certificate is issued and then verified by Identità as part of the Single Permit application process. If there is a significant gap between certification and your travel, raise this with Skills Pass directly.
- Is the course and interview available in Hindi or other Indian languages?
- Official materials describe the course as conducted in English, and English proficiency is one of the things the Phase 2 interview assesses. There is no published alternative-language option described in the materials we have reviewed.