Bringing non-EU GF to Malta

Hi,

you will have to apply for her to be granted residence as your (non-EU) partner. If the residence permit is granted she will not be allowed to work in Malta. One case I know of is the Russian girlfriend of a Maltese citizen . She has been in Malta for 8 years now and is still not allowed to work. There might be some problems along the way as the Maltese authorities use the term of durable relationship which they define as living together in Malta for more than two years. It is difficult to have them accept proof of a 'durable' relationship outside of Malta.

You should contact the relevant authority in advance to get advice on details and documentation.

http://mhas.gov.mt/en/MHAS-Information/ … dence.aspx

Cheers
Ricky

Thanks Ricky. Awesome. I assume that if she is coming over as my GIRLFRIEND, I would use Form O, and if she is married to me, I would use Form E (Exempt persons status) right?
So basically how this works is, in reality it would be so much easier for us to be married for her to be able to work, right?

I have always hated living in Canada, so the deal I made with my parents was I would go to uni in Canada and then I would be moving to Malta, and my GF agrees and wants to move with me, we've been together twice on vacation (we stay with my Nana so sometimes not so much LOL), I have a cheap car over there too, so we've experienced "life" there I guess, and I have been alot since childhood (those vacations are what spawned my love for the place) so we are sure this is what we want to do.

We are both fresh out of uni, so we want to both be able to use these damn degrees we worked so hard for...  It would be kind of a waste for her not to be able to work/use her degree and us having to live off of one income, especially with the abysmal salaries in Malta for comparable Canadian jobs. But, as I have always said, thats the price of living in Malta over Canada, and i'll take lower salary by the beach, heat and the sea over huge salary and cold and snow any day.

But, with the Malta salaries being lower than Canadian salaries we are both going to need to work. I understand that'll be a bit harder, but I hope we'll get our way!

So basically when we fly over, I can fly over on a one way ticket because i'm a citizen with my Maltese passport and have the right to be in Malta permanently, but she has to have a return ticket to satisfy Schengen and get a 3-month tourist permit on arrival, and within that 3 months, either be granted a residence permit or leave on that return ticket. Correct?

Third thing. If you don't mind me asking, i've seen on other threads you commenting on you "fighting for your right to choose your partner and live with her, EU or non-EU", and winning. Maybe your experiences would help my situation? (Again, if you don't mind sharing)

Thanks again

Hi,

yes, most of my knowledge on the issue of non-EU residency comes from me (UK) moving to Malta with my non-EU girlfriend (US) 5 years ago. And it was not easy!

My advice in your situation ( both well qualified) would be as you say and for your girlfriend to find a job on her own merits and to stear clear of the partner visa as it will not allow for your girlfriend ever to work until you  get married.

Maybe she can find employment even before you arrive as the 3 months timeframe is short for her to find work and also receive the work permit ( the employer has to apply and there is a whole tame-taking process ).

After living together in Malta for two years in Malta I was able to get my girlfriend  to be registered as a family-member of an EU citizen but this does not apply to Maltese citizens in Malta. It would if you move to any other EU country except Malta !

When you are here you should discuss your situation with the residence department. You can talk to them about the requirements. As you say the Form would be O for you - for me it was Form G. And be aware that you will need your own residency before you can apply for her partner visa.

Returning to Canada after 3 months is,of course, the worst case. And she would have to be away for 3 months before returning to Malta.

Cheers
Ricky