The two courses, the published occupation list, and how the sector track sits inside the wider Skills Pass framework — from official T&H sources.
The short answer
If you are not an EU, EEA or Swiss citizen and you are coming to work in a hotel, restaurant, bar or other tourism business in Malta, you need two things: the Pre-Departure Course and the Tourism & Hospitality Skills Pass. You do the course first. Then you do the Skills Pass: two short online courses, one occupation assessment and an interview. If you already hold a valid Maltese work permit, you are exempt for now; ask Identità how long that lasts.
Some jobs in the sector do not need the Skills Pass, such as accounts, marketing, HR, stores, cleaners and kitchen porters. See excluded roles and who needs it.
Step 1: two courses everyone takes
Every tourism candidate takes both of these online, each with a test at the end:
- Basic Customer Care
- Basic Maltese Tourism Product
You have 42 days to finish Phase 1. If you run out of time, you can buy a 14-day extension for €50. Your first re-sit is free; after that each re-sit costs €100. See what Phase 1 and Phase 2 assess.
Step 2: choose one occupation
After you pass both courses, you choose one occupation and take its test. The options are:
There is also Other. If your job is not on the list, email info@skillspass.org.mt before you choose. For chefs, waiters, receptionists, bar staff, housekeeping and other common jobs, see the role-by-role guides.
Step 3: the interview
When you pass Phase 1, you get a Phase 1 Confirmation and can book your Phase 2 interview. It takes about 30 minutes. You answer true-or-false questions about the courses, then open questions that show your English and how you do your job.
If you need a visa to enter Malta, you choose your nearest VFS centre. If you do not need a visa, you choose the Institute of Tourism Studies (ITS) in Malta. Pass the interview and you get the Certificate of Full Skills Pass Achievement. You need it, with your Pre-Departure Course certificate, to apply for a Single Permit.
What it costs
On the Skills Pass portal you pay €245 for the Pre-Departure Course, then €230 for the tourism Skills Pass. The €230 includes the €5 interview booking fee, so the portal says there is nothing more to pay when you book the interview. You pay by credit card.
Other official pages say €250 for the course and €225 for the Skills Pass. Check the amount on your payment screen. Details: what it costs.
If something goes wrong
You fail a test: your first re-sit is free, then €100 each. If you fail the second re-sit, you are locked out for one month. See failed: what now.
The portal or payment does not work, or you are unsure which job to choose: use the live chat on the Skills Pass website or portal, or email info@skillspass.org.mt. See troubleshooting.
Common questions
What if my job title is not on the occupation list?
Choose "Other" only after you ask. The official list says to email info@skillspass.org.mt if your occupation is not listed, and they will tell you what to do. Do this before you register or pay. Do not pick the name that sounds closest and hope it counts.
Do I take the two courses before or after choosing my occupation?
Before. You pass the Basic Customer Care and Basic Maltese Tourism Product assessments first. Then you choose one occupation and take its assessment. You have 42 days for all of Phase 1.
Is this the same thing as the general Skills Pass?
In practice, yes. Today the Skills Pass exists only for tourism and hospitality: the official FAQ calls it the only "claimed sector". You do it after the Pre-Departure Course, which first-time Single Permit applicants need (some people are exempt).
Official sources for this page
These are the official pages this guide depends on. Open them directly before acting on a time-sensitive requirement.
- 01Skills Pass (opens in a new tab)
Official guidance on how to obtain the Skills Pass.
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- 02Skills Pass (opens in a new tab)
Official Skills Pass frequently asked questions.
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- 03Skills Pass (Tourism & Hospitality) (opens in a new tab)
Sector-specific Skills Pass operational details for tourism and hospitality.
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- 04Skills Pass (Tourism & Hospitality) (opens in a new tab)
Sector-specific Skills Pass frequently asked questions.
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We never collect official login details, documents, or payment data. Use this guide for context, then take action only on the official portal. Full citations are listed at the end of this page.
Visit the official Tourism & Hospitality Skills Pass websiteOpens the official website