Do I need to be in Malta to do the course?

Phase 1 (the online modules) can be completed from anywhere with an internet connection. Phase 2 (the interview) is described by official sources as an in-person appointment — at ITS Malta or authorised centres, per Identità, or at VFS Global centres, per the Skills Pass FAQ. Your own booking confirmation will confirm the specific venue.

What language is the course in?

Official materials describe the course as being in English, and English-language proficiency is one of the things the Phase 2 interview assesses. There is no published alternative-language option.

Can I pause and restart Phase 1 partway through?

The 42-day window is not paused by logging out — it runs continuously from registration. You can return to the portal and continue modules within that window, but the clock keeps running while you are away.

Who runs the course — Identità or Skills Pass?

The course is delivered through the Skills Pass portal (skillspass.org.mt), but the requirement itself — and the verification against permit applications from 1 March 2026 — is set and enforced by Identità. Official materials from both sources are consistent on the overall structure.

How the Pre-Departure Course works — the full process from registration to certificate

Step 1 — create your account on the official portal

Everything happens through the official Skills Pass portal. You create a single account that you use throughout the entire process. Official materials describe the registration form as collecting personal details, passport information, and contact details. See the registration page for a full list of what the portal needs and how to avoid delays at this stage.

Step 2 — Phase 1: the two online modules (42-day window)

After registering, you have a 42-day window in which to complete two online modules:

“Living and Working in Malta” — covering practical information about daily life, services, and culture.
“Rights and Obligations in the Workplace” — covering employment rights, obligations, and what you should know as a worker in Malta.

Both modules have content to work through and then an assessment. The 42-day window runs from registration, not from your first login — so starting the modules promptly after registering is the right approach. A 14-day extension is available at €50 if you need more time.

Step 3 — Phase 2: the live interview

Once both modules are completed, you book a Phase 2 interview. Official sources describe this as a live, in-person interview of roughly 20 minutes. Two things are assessed:

English-language proficiency — the official FAQ notes it is assessed “in both online as well as during the interview.”
Understanding of the module content — via short workplace-scenario questions based on what you covered online.

Identità’s guidance places the interview at “ITS Malta or authorised Global Assessment Centres”; the official Skills Pass FAQ instead describes “a short in-person interview at their closest VFS centre.” Both descriptions are reproduced here as published. Your own booking confirmation is the definitive word on where to go.

Step 4 — your certificate

Passing Phase 2 completes the course. The certificate is issued through the Skills Pass portal. From 1 March 2026, Identità began verifying this certificate as part of the Single Permit application process — meaning the certificate is now a genuine gatekeeping document, not an administrative formality. See the certificate page for what the document contains and how verification works.

The Single Permit connection

The Pre-Departure Course is a requirement for the Single Permit — but it is not administered by Identità directly. You complete the course through Skills Pass and bring the certificate to the permit process. Identità’s published guidance sets out which applicants are exempt (existing Single Permit holders, those with 8 or more years of continuous residence in Malta) — if in doubt about whether the course applies to you, see who needs the course before registering.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need to be in Malta to do the course?: Phase 1 (the online modules) can be completed from anywhere with an internet connection. Phase 2 (the interview) is described by official sources as an in-person appointment — at ITS Malta or authorised centres, per Identità, or at VFS Global centres, per the Skills Pass FAQ. Your own booking confirmation will confirm the specific venue.
What language is the course in?: Official materials describe the course as being in English, and English-language proficiency is one of the things the Phase 2 interview assesses. There is no published alternative-language option.
Can I pause and restart Phase 1 partway through?: The 42-day window is not paused by logging out — it runs continuously from registration. You can return to the portal and continue modules within that window, but the clock keeps running while you are away.
Who runs the course — Identità or Skills Pass?: The course is delivered through the Skills Pass portal (skillspass.org.mt), but the requirement itself — and the verification against permit applications from 1 March 2026 — is set and enforced by Identità. Official materials from both sources are consistent on the overall structure.

Official sources for this page

Identità (opens in a new tab)
Primary description of the Single Permit Pre-Departure Course requirement for non-EU nationals.
Source last checked: 8 June 2026
Identità (opens in a new tab)
Operational notice on verification of the Pre-Departure Course requirement from 1 March 2026.
Source last checked: 8 June 2026
Skills Pass (Tourism & Hospitality) (opens in a new tab)
Sector-specific Skills Pass operational details for tourism and hospitality.
Source last checked: 8 June 2026