About this guide
India is one of the largest sources of Single Permit applicants to Malta. VFS Global — the organisation that operates the Pre-Departure Course interview centres — has an extensive network of centres across India, including in Mumbai, Delhi, Chennai, Kolkata, Hyderabad, Bengaluru, Chandigarh, and other major cities.
This page explains what the Tourism & Hospitality Skills Pass means for Indian workers coming to — or already working in — Malta’s hospitality sector. The requirements are the same for all Third Country Nationals: this guide provides the same information with the practical context most relevant to workers from India.
What the Skills Pass requires
The Tourism & Hospitality Skills Pass is a two-phase process for Third Country Nationals working in covered roles at MTA-licensed establishments in Malta:
- Phase 1 — online assessments (42 days): Two mandatory courses (Basic Customer Care and Basic Maltese Tourism Product) plus an occupation-specific assessment. Can be completed from India before you travel.
- Phase 2 — interview: A live assessment of English proficiency and occupation-specific competency. Bookable via video conference in many cases.
- Certificate: A digital credential issued through Blockcerts after passing both phases. Issued to the individual, not the employer.
Completing the process from India
Phase 1 is entirely online and can be completed from India before you travel to Malta. Phase 2 (the interview) may be available via video conference, which would also allow completion from India.
Completing both phases before your employment begins means your certificate is in place before your first shift — which is the simplest outcome for both you and your employer.
VFS Global: VFS Global — the organisation that administers interview centres for Maltese processes — has a presence in India. Whether your specific Phase 2 interview is at a VFS Global centre or via video conference depends on your booking options at the official portal.
Covered occupations
The five covered occupations are: Luggage Porter, Receptionist, Bar Waiter, Commis Chef, and Commis de Rang. If you are not in one of these roles at an MTA-licensed establishment, the Skills Pass requirement may not apply to you. Confirm with your employer and the official Skills Pass portal.
See the role-specific pages on this site for guidance tailored to your occupation: Chef, Waiter, Receptionist, Bar Staff — or browse all role guides.
Frequently asked questions
01Do I need a Skills Pass before I travel to Malta or after I arrive?
Phase 1 (the online assessments) can be completed before you travel. Phase 2 (the video-conference interview) can also potentially be completed from India depending on your booking options. Completing the Skills Pass process before arrival means you have a certificate in hand and your employer can verify it on day one — which is the simplest outcome for both you and your employer.
02I already have hospitality experience in India — does that reduce what I need to do?
Prior hospitality experience, however extensive, does not exempt you from the Skills Pass requirement. Official materials describe it as a sector-wide requirement for workers in MTA-licensed establishments, regardless of experience. The assessment checks against the Tourism & Hospitality Skills Pass standard, not against your work history.
03Can my employer start the Skills Pass registration on my behalf while I am still in India?
Official materials describe the employer as registering the candidate through the employer portal at tourism.skillspass.org.mt. The specifics of whether a candidate can be pre-registered before arrival are not described clearly in the materials we have reviewed — raise this directly with Skills Pass before making travel plans that depend on it.