Overview
Cleaning and housekeeping roles may be excluded from the Skills Pass requirement. The official excluded-roles list published at the Skills Pass portal describes the exclusions as non-exhaustive, and housekeeping/cleaning roles are not among the five occupations on the covered list. Confirm your situation at the official portal before drawing any conclusions from this page.
Coverage status — verify before relying on this page
Cleaning and housekeeping roles are not listed on the published covered-occupations list.
The five published covered occupations are: Luggage Porter, Receptionist, Bar Waiter, Commis Chef, and Commis de Rang. Cleaner and housekeeper roles do not appear. If your role primarily involves cleaning or housekeeping, you may not be subject to the Skills Pass requirement — but confirm directly with Skills Pass and your employer before acting on this.
If your employer has told you that you need the Skills Pass, contact Skills Pass at tourism.skillspass.org.mt to confirm whether your specific role and establishment are covered.
Frequently asked questions
01Do hotel cleaners and housekeeping staff need the Skills Pass?
The five occupations on the published Skills Pass covered list are: Luggage Porter, Receptionist, Bar Waiter, Commis Chef, and Commis de Rang. Cleaners and housekeeping staff do not appear on this list. The official excluded-roles page states that the exclusion list is non-exhaustive, but the coverage list is also published — housekeeping is not on it. Confirm your specific role and establishment with Skills Pass directly rather than relying on this guide alone.
02My employer told me I need the Skills Pass — could they be wrong?
Possibly. Employers are responsible for knowing which roles in their establishment are covered, but misunderstandings do occur. If your role is in housekeeping or cleaning and your employer says you need the Skills Pass, the most direct clarification route is to contact Skills Pass (tourism.skillspass.org.mt) and ask specifically whether your role at your employer's MTA-licensed establishment is covered. Official confirmation from Skills Pass is more reliable than either your employer's instruction or this guide.
03If I am not covered, do I need anything else for my permit?
The Pre-Departure Course (for the Single Permit) and the Skills Pass are separate requirements. Even if your role is excluded from the Skills Pass, you may still need the Pre-Departure Course for your Single Permit application if you are a first-time applicant. Check the Pre-Departure Course eligibility page or visit maltapredeparturecourse.org for that guidance.
04What if my job involves both cleaning and a covered role?
If your duties span both a covered occupation (for example, you assist with reception or service) and a non-covered one (cleaning), the key question is which role your employment contract primarily describes. Contact Skills Pass directly with your job description — they are the authoritative source on whether a mixed role triggers the requirement.