Work Permit for Malta: Rejected

Last time, I talked about how to go about getting a work permit in Malta-and all the work it took to fill out several applications, a special CV format and numerous copies of your passport, visa and a hefty fee-almost 100 Euros. That's $130 as of today. (I'm applying to be a freelance writer and American-English language consultant/teacher.)

Then there was the ordeal of bringing the application in person to the Employment and Training Corporation (ETC), located in a remote part of Malta. You need to take two buses, one of which runs only once an hour on an unpredictable schedule. Once there, you wait in line, sit down with the paper pusher (who did happen to be a nice person). Then you're told the process will take three months, including your file sent to the Interpol (the international police) to check you out.

About a week after submitting my application, it was rejected through the mail-with no reason given. The only instruction was to email a certain guy at the ETC. I did and this is what I got back:

Persons from non-EEA countries are only entitled to self-employed status under the following conditions:

a) Investors intending to establish a business in Malta in which they will invest at least €100,000 without a Maltese partner, or a shareholding equivalent to €40,000 with a Maltese partner.

b) Highly-skilled innovators (who would otherwise qualify under the Highly-Skilled Route) with a sound business plan who commit to recruiting at least three Maltese nationals within eighteen months of establishment and at any time in future, no less than three Maltese/EEA employees for every non-EEA national.

c) Sole representative of an established overseas company that wishes to establish a branch in Malta.

The only good news in this whole thing is that the man in charge and I emailed back and forth a bit--which was a pleasant surprise--and he told me I could submit a very detailed letter of reconsideration to apply under the status of a freelancer. He said this was hardly ever granted. But he told me the specific areas to cover in the letter. And I'm going to try. Plan B means going to a school and asking them to file for a work permit for me--which is also very hard to do for a non-EU person in Malta. But it's easier to get than a freelance permit.

Well, folks, I feel like I wrote the letter of my life. It was eight pages long, single spaced, covering the following issues:

1. My personal history

2. My employment history

3. Why did I want to work in Malta?

4. Why did I want to freelance instead of work by contract to a school?

5. What are my qualifications?

6. Do I have job references?

7. What can I offer Malta?

I also submitted about 20 supplemental pages, including updated visa information, PDF copies of my two website homepages, letters of references from a few people in Malta (including the teacher who trained me to teach English in Malta), a list of references from the US and PDF copies of some of my published articles. Now the reconsideration will go to the ETC Board of Directors-again.

As of this moment, I don't know what will happen. I still have Plan B-asking a school to apply for me, but this has many disadvantages.

However, should you find yourself in a similar situation-and get a rejection letter for your first permit attempt-try these things:

-Read the letter carefully, noting the exact reason for rejection so you can counter or appeal it.

- If given an opportunity to appeal the decision, do it.

- Follow the instructions exactly as to who to contact. Don't go over the person's head at this moment.

- Email or call the person and go about it in a concerned but friendly manner. Ask for the person's help. Treat the individual like he/she is the god of bureaucracy.

- Express frustration at this point-but not anger.

- See if you can tease out some additional information from the person you contact, such as: what exactly is the Board looking for; is there any hope at all; can you tell me what I need to do to increase my chances?

- Ask what recourse you have if your second attempt doesn't work.

- Ask if you can see the individual in person (I haven't managed that yet).

- The best yet (another thing I'm hoping will work) is to find out who's on the board and find a local person-Maltese, in my case-who may know someone and put in a good word for you.

I hope the next time you hear from me will be what I tell you do after you get your permit. If not, then it's on to
Plan B.

Resources

An-American-in Malta.com-the author's own blog

Employment and Training Corporation, Malta