About this guide
Many workers moving to Malta from the UAE are themselves third-country nationals — for example Indian, Filipino, Pakistani, or Bangladeshi workers already living in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, or Sharjah on a UAE visa. The Malta requirements are based on your nationality and permit type, not on the fact that you are currently in the UAE. VFS Global — the organisation that operates Maltese interview centres — has a presence across the UAE.
This page explains what the Malta Single Permit Pre-Departure Course means for UAE-based 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 the UAE.
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 the UAE.
- 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 the UAE
VFS Global operates the physical interview centres for this process. VFS Global has a presence in the UAE, 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 the UAE
Phase 1 (both online modules) can be completed from the UAE 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
01I live and work in Dubai but I am not an Emirati national — does the Pre-Departure Course apply to me?
The Pre-Departure Course is a Malta Single Permit requirement for non-EU nationals who do not already hold a Maltese permit or qualify for an exemption. It is tied to your nationality and your Malta application — not to where you currently live. If you are an Indian, Filipino, Pakistani, or other third-country national applying for a first Malta Single Permit from the UAE, the requirement applies in the same way it would if you applied from your home country.
02Can I sit the Phase 2 interview in the UAE instead of travelling to Malta?
VFS Global operates centres in the UAE, so candidates based there can typically book the Phase 2 interview locally rather than travelling to Malta first. Your booking confirmation from the official Skills Pass portal states the exact centre and appointment details — treat that document, not general centre listings, as authoritative.
03Can I complete Phase 1 online while still working in the UAE?
Yes — Phase 1 (the two online modules) can be completed from the UAE or anywhere with a reliable internet connection. Many applicants finish Phase 1 before their travel or permit arrangements are settled. The 42-day Phase 1 window starts when you register on the official portal, so completing it promptly after registration avoids timing problems later.
04Does my UAE work experience reduce the course requirement?
No — the Pre-Departure Course is a fixed Single Permit requirement and is not waived on the basis of prior work experience in the UAE or elsewhere. The course and interview are the same for all third-country nationals regardless of where they have previously worked.