Malta Residency Concessionaire

June 04 08:35 2018 by The Editor Print This Article

What is a Malta Residence Concessionaire?

2015 saw the launch of a Residency by Investment Programme in Malta, the Malta Residency & Visa Program (MRVP).  In 2017, the Government launched a competitive tender for the marketing of the Maltese residency by investment in various regions.  

Marketing Concessionaires were appointed with the sole responsibility of promoting the Malta Residency program in specific regions.

The word concession is misleading as, in fact, the Maltese Government granted no exclusivity and no special rights to the chosen concessionaire in respect of applications for residency under the Malta Residency & Visa Program.  The concession is focused on the international promotion of the program.  Contrary to common misunderstanding, the concessionaire is not involved in the handling, processing or of the conduct of due diligence in respect of any Maltese residency applications.  This process is fully conducted by an autonomous governmental agency, Malta Residency & Visa Agency, that is vested with the sole authority and function of processing applications Minister for the grant of residency.

In fact, the Malta residence concessionaire, as concessionaire, doesn't hold any authorization to handle applications under the pre-established residency programs and has not had to comply with the rules for eligibility for residency agents laid down in the laws implementing the Maltese residency program.

What's the role of Malta Residency Agents?

Under the MRVP Regulations, an applicant must be represented by a duly authorised Malta Residency Agent.  Applicants cannot apply for Maltese residency directly with Identity Malta.  Maltese Law emphasises the importance of the accreditation of Malta Immigration Agents to represent applicants under the Malta Residency by Investment Programme.  The MRVP regulations impose a number of qualitative and precautionary measures to ensure appropriate due diligence is performed pre-application by experienced immigration law specialists, and that residence application files are prepared within the quality guidelines issued from time to time by Identity Malta.

How are Malta Residency Agents accredited?

The first accreditation level granted by Identity Malta to handle applications and represent investors under the Malta Individual Investor Program, is the level of Accredited Person.  Qualified persons are accredited by Identity Malta Agency and need to meet the minimum of at least 3 successful applications per year.  Currently over a 100 consultants are accredited but only a handful are really active and experienced in what is a very specialised and niche sector.

Successful accredited persons progress to Approved Agent status. Malta Citizenship Agents obtain Approved Agent status in accordance with the Malta Residency & Visa Programme Regulations, 2015. 

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