About this guide
Workers relocating to Malta's hospitality sector from Saudi Arabia are frequently third-country nationals already employed in the Kingdom — for example Indian, Filipino, Bangladeshi, or Pakistani workers in Riyadh, Jeddah, or the Eastern Province. The Malta Skills Pass requirement depends on your Malta role and your employer's licence, not on your current location. VFS Global operates centres in Saudi Arabia.
This page explains what the Tourism & Hospitality Skills Pass means for Saudi-based 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 Saudi Arabia.
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 Saudi Arabia 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 Saudi Arabia
Phase 1 is entirely online and can be completed from Saudi Arabia before you travel to Malta. Phase 2 (the interview) may be available via video conference, which would also allow completion from Saudi Arabia.
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 Saudi Arabia. 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
01I work in hospitality in Saudi Arabia and have a Malta offer — does the Skills Pass apply?
If your Malta role is a covered occupation at an MTA-licensed establishment, the Tourism & Hospitality Skills Pass requirement applies regardless of your experience in Saudi Arabia. Prior work in a Saudi hotel or restaurant does not exempt you from the assessment, which checks against the Skills Pass standard rather than your employment history. Confirm your specific role with your Malta employer and the official Skills Pass portal.
02Can I complete the Skills Pass from Saudi Arabia before moving to Malta?
Phase 1 (the online assessments) can be completed from Saudi Arabia. Phase 2 (the interview) may be available via video conference depending on your booking options. Completing both phases before relocation means your certificate is in place when your Malta employment starts.
03Where would I sit the Skills Pass interview if it has to be in person?
VFS Global operates centres in Saudi Arabia, so an in-person Phase 2 interview could typically be booked locally rather than requiring travel to Malta first. Your official booking confirmation states the exact centre and appointment — use that, not general listings, as the authoritative detail, as operational arrangements can change.