Malta Visa Requirements & Fees from Dubai 2026

The following is the complete document checklist for a Malta Schengen visa from Dubai. Every document is mandatory. A missing or inconsistent document can trigger an additional document request — adding 1-3 weeks to your processing time — or result in outright refusal. All documents must be submitted in English; Arabic originals require certified English translations.

1. 1Valid passport — minimum 3 months' validity beyond planned return date from the Schengen Area, at least 2 blank side-by-side pages, issued within the last 10 years. Submit originals plus photocopies of biographical page, all previous visas, and entry/exit stamps.
2. 2Completed Schengen visa application form — every field filled in English, printed on A4 paper, signed by hand. No blank fields.
3. 3Two biometric passport photographs — 35mm x 45mm, white background, taken within 6 months, ICAO compliant (neutral expression, eyes open, no glasses).
4. 4Valid UAE residence visa — at least 3 months' validity beyond intended return. Original plus clear colour photocopy.
5. 5Emirates ID — original for VFS verification plus colour photocopies of both sides.
6. 6Schengen travel medical insurance — minimum EUR 30,000 coverage for medical emergencies, hospitalisation, and repatriation. Must cover all 27 Schengen states for the full trip.
7. 7Round-trip flight reservation — confirmed itinerary showing Schengen entry and exit. Do NOT purchase non-refundable tickets before visa approval.
8. 8Hotel bookings — covering every single night of stay in Malta and any other Schengen country. Refundable bookings accepted. No gaps permitted.
9. 9Bank statements — last 3-6 months from primary UAE bank, stamped by the bank. Must show consistent salary credits. Closing balance of AED 10,000-15,000 minimum recommended.
10. 10Employment letter — company letterhead, stamp, authorised signatory. Must state full name, job title, monthly salary, joining date, and approved leave dates for the Malta trip.
11. 11Salary slips — last 3 months, consistent with employment letter and bank statement salary credits.
12. 12Cover letter — stating travel purpose, specific Maltese destinations (Valletta, Mdina, Gozo), UAE ties, and intention to return before visa expiry.
13. 13Day-by-day itinerary — daily plan listing cities, hotels, and planned activities. Must match all other documents exactly.

The Malta Schengen visa fee follows the EU-regulated uniform schedule that applies across all 27 Schengen member states. VFS Global charges an additional mandatory service fee for processing your application in Dubai. All consular fees are non-refundable regardless of the visa decision outcome.

Biometric photographs for a Malta Schengen visa must meet strict ICAO standards. Non-compliant photos are a frequent cause of applications being rejected at the VFS counter before they even enter processing.

• Size: 35mm wide x 45mm tall — standard Schengen photo dimensions
• Background: white or very light grey — no patterns, no colours, no shadows on the face or background
• Recency: taken within the last 6 months — must reflect your current appearance
• Expression: neutral face, mouth closed, no smiling, eyes open and clearly visible looking directly at the camera
• Glasses: not permitted in current Schengen visa photos
• Head covering: only for documented religious reasons — face must be fully visible from forehead to chin and ear to ear
• Print quality: high-resolution on matte or semi-matte photo paper — no selfies, no phone photos, no digital-only submission
• Quantity: 2 identical photographs required

Professional passport photo services experienced with Schengen requirements are available throughout Dubai. VFS Global also offers an on-site photo service at approximately AED 35-50 per set, which is convenient but slightly more expensive than external studios.

OraVisa consistently sees the same preventable mistakes causing delays and refusals for Malta Schengen visa applications from Dubai. Each of the following errors can add 1-4 weeks to your process or result in an outright refusal that affects your future Schengen visa record.

• Travel insurance covering only Malta instead of the entire Schengen Area — the policy must explicitly cover all 27 Schengen member states
• Bank statements with large unexplained cash deposits made shortly before the application — the most common financial red flag
• Accommodation bookings with gaps — every single night must be covered with a confirmed reservation
• Flight dates that do not exactly match hotel booking dates and the travel dates on the application form
• Employment letter that does not mention specific approved leave dates for the Malta trip
• Cover letter that is too brief (one paragraph) or generic without mentioning Malta specifically
• Passport with insufficient validity — must have at least 3 months beyond your return date from the Schengen Area, not from Malta alone
• Forgetting to submit photocopies of previous passports containing old Schengen visas and stamps

Standard processing for a Malta Schengen visa is 15 calendar days from submission at VFS Global. During the peak Mediterranean summer season (June-September), processing may extend. Malta generally processes efficiently due to moderate application volumes from the UAE compared to larger Schengen countries.