New I.D. card rules

Emails,  at least some,  are being answered, in 2-4 weeks

Thanks rooikat and george

Get a lawyer to set up everything up for you. Rough costs are about 500eur I think.

At the beginning of this discussion people alluded to the fact that these changes were making money for the government, now it's the layers. We can't win, we can but pay!

Hi Michael,

did you use a lawyer yourself? Was he able to 'speed' things up ?

You will still have to attend the appointment yourself, with or without lawyer, as your photo is taken during the interview and you give your electronic signature.

When I was there a lawyer without appointment trying to get in with a client was sent away after a big fight!

And you will also have to collect the new e-residence card in person.

So I'm not sure whether it is worthwhile using a lawyer for 'normal' cases.

Cheers
Ricky

I agree Ricky - the only thing a lawyer can potentially help with is jumping the queue in terms of getting an appointment, and I don't know if thats possible

On a slightly different note, my new e-residence card has printed on the back in bold characters +60. Does that by any chance mean it is also a Karteanzjan? We are surely old enough to qualify, but have received nothing so far.

popro wrote:

On a slightly different note, my new e-residence card has printed on the back in bold characters +60. Does that by any chance mean it is also a Karteanzjan? We are surely old enough to qualify, but have received nothing so far.

yes

georgeingozo wrote:

popro wrote:

On a slightly different note, my new e-residence card has printed on the back in bold characters +60. Does that by any chance mean it is also a Karteanzjan? We are surely old enough to qualify, but have received nothing so far.

yes

Ah, thanks for that George. I will try it out tomorrow, but would not be surprised if the bus driver knows nothing about it.

Info from the BRA regarding e residency:

eResidence Card - this document is a Residence Document and Identity Document in law
 Application for an appointment should be made as soon as possible. It is then the
responsibility of the Department to process your documentation when they are able.
 If you have already requested an appointment, please do not send another email or
letter to chase. Your residency status is not affected by any delays on the part of the
DCEA.
 The Department is now prepared to accept requests for appointments either by
ordinary mail or email. Write to: eResidence Section, Department of Citizenship and
Expatriate Affairs, 3 Castile Place, 2nd Floor, Valletta OR email eresidence.mfa@gov.mt
If you know you will be away from Malta over the summer and early autumn months, please
indicate this in your request.
 If you are unable to attend personally to present your documents for medical
reasons, apply for an appointment and, meantime, arrange to obtain a letter from your
doctor confirming your medical situation, and, in addition to your application form and Form
ID 1A, complete Form ID2 and organize 2 passport size photos. When you have obtained
an appointment date, provide the person taking your documentation to Valletta with a letter
of authority to act on your behalf.
 Acknowledgement of receipt of appointment request - DCEA is unable to send
acknowledgements for receipt of emails or letters other than when your appointment is
advised to you.
 Any EU/EEA citizen holding a registration certificate issued by the DCEA now only has
to produce their existing residency documentation, passport and ID together with the
appropriate forms for the purpose of the re-registration.
 Anyone registering as a member of the special schemes (under Residence Scheme
Regulations controlled by annual review by the Commissioner of Inland Revenue) must
produce all the documentation shown on Form S since your original residency records and
ongoing annual documentation are held by and remain the responsibility of the Inland
Revenue.
Mellieha Messenger 10 March 2013
 Acceptable documentation prior to issue of eResidence Card - Before you get an
appointment and after the expiry of your ID at end of March, your existing residency
document or passport are acceptable in law for identification purposes.
 All Government Departments have been advised of the documentation changes so
that they can adapt their relative procedural requirements. Each Government Department
handles these issues in their own way
 The DCEA is in touch with Arriva and the Gozo Ferry to work with them to assist staff to
recognize the variety of documents that will exist as proof of residency until all eResidence
Cards have been issued
 Transport Department advise anyone who is experiencing difficulties in processing driving
licence issues etc to get in touch with their Customer Care Section on 25560000 or email
any query to info.tm@transport.gov.mt Website is www.transport.gov.mt
 Other commercial operators have been advised of changes.
 Kart Anzjan are being incorporated into the new eResidence Card at age of “60+” and
“75+” with status in bold print. Do not dispose of your current Kart Anzjan until all Maltese
nationals have had their IDs replaced by new biometric cards (which will also include Kart
Anzjan detail) and the ongoing document change exercise for non-Maltese nationals is
completed.
 The eResidence Card cannot be used as a travel document when entering or exiting
Malta nor within the EU/EEA.
 The new eResidence Cards have a validity of 5 years - this is so that any information
stored on the card and its biometric facility can be regularly updated
 Requirement on forms to indicate previous address and where you intend to go after
living in Malta - this enables the Maltese Government to comply with a specific EU
requirement for member States to feed in statistical data relating to migration trends. No
personal information is transferred in this process.
 An approach has been made by the Association to the Public Registry in connection with
documentation needed for the registering of a death post end March 2013. The DCEA
will be following this up urgently now and we will keep you informed.
 Please do not destroy your ID at the end of March (when it ceases to be a valid
document) since, if you have not had an appointment by then, you have to hand it in at your
interview.
 To remind - existing ID numbers are being transferred over to the new eResidence
Cards for a variety of administrative reasons. This should make life easier for our recall
faculties!


Terry

Very good info...so is there a site where was published pls?

It is published by the British Residence Association, I think you need to be a member to see it but try looking on the web site
http://britishresidentsinmalta.org

Terry

tearnet wrote:

It is published by the British Residence Association, I think you need to be a member to see it but try looking on the web site
http://britishresidentsinmalta.org

Terry

Aaaa ok i see...thanks Terry

STILL ALIENS THEN

toonarmy9752 wrote:

STILL ALIENS THEN

Looks like it!

"he eResidence Card cannot be used as a travel document when entering or exiting Malta nor within the EU/EEA."

not saying thats wrong, but the new card doesn't have the "not for travel" that the A ID cards have

georgeingozo wrote:

"he eResidence Card cannot be used as a travel document when entering or exiting Malta nor within the EU/EEA."

not saying thats wrong, but the new card doesn't have the "not for travel" that the A ID cards have

That is probably because for EU citizens the new card IS a valid travel document? Even the UK accepts a national ID card for EU citizens at the border controls as far as I know. I know some Dutch people who only have an ID card and not a passport because of the difference in cost. The Maltese card would be have the same validity I think.

popro wrote:

[I know some Dutch people who only have an ID card and not a passport because of the difference in cost. The Maltese card would be have the same validity I think.

not necessarily - an ID card is valid for travel if you are a citizen of the issuing country. I've not heard of any country where the one issued to foreigners has the same validity. I suspect the one issued to foreigners in Malta isn't valid for travel, its just that it doesn't say so, and other than a very little A at the end of the ID number there is no indication this is an ID card issued to a foreigner (unless the Maltese version will say "Valid for Travel")

georgeingozo wrote:

popro wrote:

[I know some Dutch people who only have an ID card and not a passport because of the difference in cost. The Maltese card would be have the same validity I think.

not necessarily - an ID card is valid for travel if you are a citizen of the issuing country. I've not heard of any country where the one issued to foreigners has the same validity. I suspect the one issued to foreigners in Malta isn't valid for travel, its just that it doesn't say so, and other than a very little A at the end of the ID number there is no indication this is an ID card issued to a foreigner (unless the Maltese version will say "Valid for Travel")

OK see where your reasoning is going. I wonder if the officials in other countries will notice the difference with that "A". Well I will only find out when I present it I guess. If asked I will present the ID card first and see what will happens. Keeping my passport close as backup of course.

popro wrote:

I wonder if the officials in other countries will notice the difference with that "A". Well I will only find out when I present it I guess. If asked I will present the ID card first and see what will happens. Keeping my passport close as backup of course.

will they notice ? - if the A is an EU wide thing, and the new cards are some sort of EU wide standard, them probably yes. If not, unlikely

what happens at the end of the first 5 years - is it automatically renewed or does it mean a further re-application. and does it still include for conversion to a sort of permanent ordinary residency.

After 5 years you can apply for the permanent version - I could have applied this time, but didn't want to complicate matters.

According to EU rules, a residency doc is supposed to be undated for EU citizens anyway, so I'm not sure why this has 5 year validity. Maybe the Maltese version will also be 5 years

guess its suck it and see....when and if i apply

just been told they have received 80,000 emails

georgeingozo wrote:

just been told they have received 80,000 emails

this makes me wonder what is the percentage of expats in Malta. because we know a lot of people are not applying by email

80000.......are you sure....

must be frmmthe early days then......and potentially repeats

one day alone they received 4,000 !

I suspect more like 10,000-20,000 people each sending an average of 4-8 emails. In fact although I got an appointment on my first email, I then sent at least 5 more clarifying a few issues (getting replies to each one)

elinabio wrote:

georgeingozo wrote:

just been told they have received 80,000 emails

this makes me wonder what is the percentage of expats in Malta. because we know a lot of people are not applying by email

There are, I believe, about 15-20,000 registered, but clearly many who aren't. I'd say between 25-35,000 in total

Oh my goodness, how complicated would someone be kind enough to clarify my personal situation and what I would require for documentation?  I am British with UK passport married to a Maltese(maltese passport). My husband has a ID number but no ID card. We own an apartment in Malta but have been living in UK.  We are moving in 3 weeks to reside in Malta permanently.  I thought we had the situation under control as I had downloaded all relevant forms etc and now a complete change! any advice gratefully appreciated :rolleyes:please help!!

So if an email asking for an appointment has already been sent, do we just wait for a reply?  Are they intending to catch up with the email appointments or will these be overtaken by people who are sending in letters or are willing to spend all day at the office waiting for an appointment to be given out? I dont mind waiting for an answer to my email if I know it will happen eventually but am not sure if that is what I should be doing.

rainbow3 wrote:

So if an email asking for an appointment has already been sent, do we just wait for a reply?  Are they intending to catch up with the email appointments or will these be overtaken by people who are sending in letters or are willing to spend all day at the office waiting for an appointment to be given out? I dont mind waiting for an answer to my email if I know it will happen eventually but am not sure if that is what I should be doing.

Well I can only give you my personal experience. I pushed it from the beginning as hard and as fast as I could. Went there, emailed them immediately after the program started in the beginning of the year. Got an appointment on 23rd of January and we received our e-cards on February 22nd. I probably managed to get in just before the stampede.

For you I imagine it depends on how soon you need those cards. If it is really urgent I suggest you will have to line up in Valletta very early to get an appointment. If not, just wait for things to develop by email. I also mailed them with some general questions about the program, but those were never answered.

popro wrote:

rainbow3 wrote:

So if an email asking for an appointment has already been sent, do we just wait for a reply?  Are they intending to catch up with the email appointments or will these be overtaken by people who are sending in letters or are willing to spend all day at the office waiting for an appointment to be given out? I dont mind waiting for an answer to my email if I know it will happen eventually but am not sure if that is what I should be doing.

Well I can only give you my personal experience. I pushed it from the beginning as hard and as fast as I could. Went there, emailed them immediately after the program started in the beginning of the year. Got an appointment on 23rd of January and we received our e-cards on February 22nd. I probably managed to get in just before the stampede.

For you I imagine it depends on how soon you need those cards. If it is really urgent I suggest you will have to line up in Valletta very early to get an appointment. If not, just wait for things to develop by email. I also mailed them with some general questions about the program, but those were never answered.

Well , i think you were quite lucky , since we also applied that day ans STILL no cards

In one of the posts here above, it was mentioned by the BRA:

Anyone registering as a member of the special schemes (under Residence Scheme
Regulations controlled by annual review by the Commissioner of Inland Revenue) must
produce all the documentation shown on Form S since your original residency records and
ongoing annual documentation are held by and remain the responsibility of the Inland
Revenue.

Does anyone here know if this also applies if you fall under the HNWI rules?

Thanks.

Yep HNWI is one of the special schemes.

ps you are a rarity ! last I heard only 10 people had utilised the HNWI scheme

A rarity...hmmm. Well, I seem to run into that often
Thing is, I only receive the HNWI this year and consequently I do not yet have two of the required documents for the FORM S.
I do not yet have a receipt of income tax return, nor the Declaration of Residence, issued by the Inland Revenue.

A rarity again, I guess? What to do? Call in the professionals?

Just an update, sent couple of emails in February, sent a letter on Monday and received an appointment by email today for end of July so looks like things are being moved along, hope others receive their appointments soon too.

still beyond both expiry dates though!!!!

georgeingozo wrote:

Yep HNWI is one of the special schemes.

Thanks George, that would mean I have to use Form S.
Given that I am not in possession (yet) of 2 of the required documents, it would seem that going on Form J (economic self-sufficient) is the easier approach.
Any downsides to that?

Thanks

rainbow3 wrote:

Just an update, sent couple of emails in February, sent a letter on Monday and received an appointment by email today for end of July so looks like things are being moved along, hope others receive their appointments soon too.

Wow good news