A side-by-side look at two related but distinct requirements — what each one is for, who needs which, how they're sequenced, and how their costs compare.
Two requirements, two different purposes
It’s easy to conflate these because they run through the same portal and share the word “Skills Pass” in places — but official materials describe them as separate requirements: the Pre-Departure Course concerns integration and work in Malta, while Skills Pass adds tourism and hospitality assessment. Applicability depends on the published exemptions and occupation exclusions.
Side-by-side comparison
Pre-Departure Course vs. Tourism & Hospitality Skills Pass
Legal status
- Pre-Departure Course
- Described in the official FAQ as “Mandatory by Law”
- Tourism & Hospitality Skills Pass
- An additional sector-specific requirement layered on top
Who it applies to
- Pre-Departure Course
- Identità describes a first-time Single Permit requirement; its 28 February 2026 notice lists exemptions for certain current or previous permit holders and TCNs resident in Malta for eight years or more
- Tourism & Hospitality Skills Pass
- Hospitality work or work with an MTA-licensed establishment, subject to the occupation exclusions in the official FAQs
Cost
- Pre-Departure Course
- Identità and Home Affairs state €250; the main Skills Pass pages state €245 plus €5. The tourism pages list PDC at €245 and include a €5 interview fee in their €230 tourism charge. The published fee allocations differ — see the cost breakdown.
- Tourism & Hospitality Skills Pass
- The main Skills Pass FAQ states €225; its process page and the tourism pages state €230 including €5. The tourism process page also contains a €250 interview-payment instruction alongside a step saying no additional interview payment is required. Confirm the charge with Skills Pass before paying.
Where you complete it
- Pre-Departure Course
- Online learning and assessments through the Skills Pass portal, followed by an interview. Identità describes ITS Malta or an authorised Global Assessment Centre; the Skills Pass FAQ and process page describe attendance at a VFS centre. Check your booking instructions and ask Skills Pass to clarify any conflict.
- Tourism & Hospitality Skills Pass
- Online courses through the Skills Pass platform. Official tourism guidance describes an interview, when required, online or in Malta; its process page describes video conferencing attended at a VFS centre or ITS Malta. Official tourism information is published at tourism.skillspass.org.mt.
Sequencing
- Pre-Departure Course
- Generally completed first
- Tourism & Hospitality Skills Pass
- Described as completed “after” the Pre-Departure Course
How official materials draw the line
The main Skills Pass FAQ uses broad mandatory wording for the Pre-Departure Course. Identità’s notice published on 28 February 2026 lists specific exemptions, so the broad wording should not be treated as an exception-free rule. For tourism and hospitality applicants, that notice requires two separate certificates: the Pre-Departure Course certificate, replacing Phase 1, and the Tourism & Hospitality Skills Pass certificate.
The official tourism site says Skills Pass is governed by legislation. Its sector scope does not make it optional when applicable. The main and tourism FAQs also list occupation exclusions, so check both your applicant circumstances and your role rather than relying only on the sector name.
Working out which applies to you
- Check the course requirement and exemptions. Identità describes the Pre-Departure Course as a first-time Single Permit requirement, and its 28 February 2026 notice lists exemptions — see who needs the Pre-Departure Course.
- Then check your sector and occupation. The official FAQs describe hospitality work and MTA-licensed establishments, with exclusions for certain roles. Their non-exhaustive list includes accounts, marketing, HR, stores, cleaners and kitchen porters. Ask your employer about the establishment and confirm an unclear role with Skills Pass before paying.
- When in doubt, ask before you pay. The main Skills Pass FAQ says no refund is issued after failure; withdrawal refunds depend on senior-management discretion and the circumstances. Confirm which requirements apply to you and ask Skills Pass about any unclear charge or refund term.
Common questions
Could I need the Skills Pass but not the Pre-Departure Course?
Do not decide this from first-time status or sector alone. Identità's notice published on 28 February 2026 lists Pre-Departure Course exemptions, including eight years' residence in Malta and a qualified exemption for current or previous Single Permit holders. Skills Pass has its own scope and occupation exclusions. Ask Identità about your PDC exemption and Skills Pass about your sector requirement before assuming you need both or neither.
Do I register for both at once, or separately?
The official tourism site says only candidates who successfully complete the Pre-Departure Course can continue to the Tourism Skills Pass step. Its portal instructions say to select tourism and hospitality after passing the PDC. The official sources reviewed for this page do not explain whether purchases can be queued at initial registration; follow the official portal's instructions or ask Skills Pass before paying.
Is the Skills Pass only for hotel jobs?
No — the official FAQ includes hospitality work and establishments with an MTA licence, with exceptions for certain occupations. The main and tourism FAQs give a non-exhaustive exclusion list: accounts, marketing, HR, stores, cleaners and kitchen porters. Ask your employer about the establishment and confirm your specific role with Skills Pass.
Official sources for this page
These are the official pages this guide depends on. Open them directly before acting on a time-sensitive requirement.
- 01Ministry for Home Affairs, Security and Employment (opens in a new tab)
Ministry-level description of the Pre-Departure Course: the two-part structure, the two Part 1 modules, the learning hours, the interview, the 42-day completion window, the fee, and the rollout dates.
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- 02Skills Pass (opens in a new tab)
Official guidance on how to obtain the Skills Pass.
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- 03Skills Pass (opens in a new tab)
Official Skills Pass frequently asked questions.
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- 04Skills Pass (Tourism & Hospitality) (opens in a new tab)
Sector-specific Skills Pass portal for tourism and hospitality roles.
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- 05Skills Pass (Tourism & Hospitality) (opens in a new tab)
Sector-specific Skills Pass operational details for tourism and hospitality.
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- 06Skills Pass (Tourism & Hospitality) (opens in a new tab)
Sector-specific Skills Pass frequently asked questions.
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For the tourism-specific Skills Pass requirements in detail, the official sector portal is the authority — see Malta Pre-Departure Course’s sources page for direct links to it.
We never collect official login details, documents, or payment data. Use this guide for context, then take action only on the official portal. Full citations are listed at the end of this page.
Read the official Identità Pre-Departure Course guidanceOpens the official website