As the most popular immigration program of 2017, the recent amendments to the Malta immigration legislation have undoubtedly provided a significant boost to the market, greatly increasing the confidence of investors who were previously hesitant due to the policy. So, what changes have been made in the new immigration policy compared to the old one?
I. New Legislation:
1. Minor children and adopted children of the main applicant or their spouse;
2. Children of the main applicant or their spouse who were not born or adopted at the time of application, as well as children born or adopted after the application;
3. Unmarried, economically dependent children and adopted children of the main applicant or their spouse who are over the age of eighteen;
Interpretation: In almost all programs, age requirements for accompanying children are very strict. This adjustment removes the age limit, meaning that older, economically dependent children are also eligible to accompany, significantly relaxing the requirements for accompanying children.
II. Adding Dependent Applicants and Clarifying Additional Application Fees
1. The new policy explicitly states that after the main applicant has successfully applied, they can directly apply for status for newborn or newly adopted children;
2. Spouses or children who were not included in the initial application can be added after the main applicant's successful application, provided that each family member pays a government application fee of 5,000 Euros and passes due diligence.
3. Accompanying children who form a family after a successful application can apply for status for their spouses and children. Each family member must pay a government application fee of 5,000 Euros and pass due diligence.
4. Other accompanying family members who form a family after a successful application can apply for status for their spouses and children. Each family member must pay a government application fee of 5,000 Euros and pass due diligence.
Interpretation: The original legislation did not cover subsequent applications, and children of applicants could not retain their immigration status once they reached the age of 27. Under the new legislation, not only can children's status be retained indefinitely, but clear instructions are provided on how to add new applicants, allowing for the addition of accompanying persons and extending benefits to the spouses and children of accompanying children.
III. Adjustment of Government Application Fees
The application fee is adjusted to 30,000 Euros per family. If parents or grandparents accompany, an additional 5,000 Euros per person is required.
Interpretation: The original legislation required a family to pay an application fee of 30,000 Euros. Now, it has been adjusted so that if parents or grandparents are included in the application, an additional fee of 5,000 Euros per person must be paid.
IV. Cancellation of Residency Restrictions
The departure requirement is cancelled, and the requirement to leave Malta within 5 years is removed; applicants can reside continuously. After obtaining long-term status through long-term residence in Malta, applicants can enjoy free public healthcare and education in Malta.
Interpretation: The original legislation restricted the applicant's residence in Malta and also limited the applicant's ability to further apply for EU long-term residency. With this restriction removed in the new legislation, applicants can reside in Malta continuously, and upon meeting certain residency durations and other conditions, they can apply for EU long-term residency.
V. Adjustment of Age for No Criminal Record
The new policy stipulates that all applicants over the age of 14 need to provide a certificate of no criminal record. The original legislation required applicants over the age of 12 to provide such a certificate.
Interpretation: Compared to the original legislation, the new legislation relaxes the age requirement for minor children to provide a certificate of no criminal record, which is more favorable for applicants by saving them the trouble of obtaining the certificate and reducing some notarization and authentication fees.
The introduction of this new policy has dispelled many investors' concerns about the status of adult children, which is crucial good news for many families. At the same time, positive changes have been made regarding the issues and costs of adding applicants, and the departure requirements are now more in line with investors' wishes. Such changes represent a milestone and bold innovation for the Malta Individual Investor Programme.