How to Apply for a Malta Schengen Visa in Nigeria in 2026

How to Apply for a Malta Visa in Nigeria (Tourist, Visit & Business)

Europe's Mediterranean Gem Is Ready for Nigerian Visitors

There is something about Malta that captures the imagination in a way that few destinations can. It is simultaneously ancient and modern – Neolithic temples older than Stonehenge stand a short drive from a sleek, design-forward capital city. The harbour views in Valletta are among the most breathtaking in all of Europe. The water is the kind of clear, impossible blue that you think only exists in photographs until you’re standing at the edge of it.

Malta is also distinctly welcoming to Nigerian travellers: it is one of the few European countries where English is an official language, making navigation, communication, and daily life during your visit remarkably easy. For a first Schengen trip from Nigeria, Malta ranks among the most accessible and rewarding choices.

To get there, you need a Malta Schengen visa. Malta is a full Schengen Area and European Union member, and a valid Maltese visa gives you access to all 27 Schengen countries. This complete guide walks you through every document, every step, and every insight you need to apply successfully.

Most people know Malta from history books  the Knights of St. John, the Great Siege, the ancient temples. But Ifeoma, a Lagos teacher who visited Malta for a history conference, came home with a different description: ‘It is like somebody took 7,000 years of history and turned it into a beach resort.’ Malta’s turquoise waters, honey-coloured limestone architecture, and crystal-clear air make it unlike anywhere else in the Mediterranean. Her advice to anyone thinking of applying? ‘Start your documents early and don’t be intimidated. VFS makes it manageable.’

Malta Schengen visa tourism

Why Malta Is a Unique European Destination

Malta is the smallest country in the European Union – a trio of islands in the heart of the Mediterranean Sea. It is an English-speaking nation, making it particularly accessible to Nigerian travellers. Malta’s ancient history, UNESCO World Heritage sites, warm climate, and stunning coastline make it a favourite for both tourists and business travellers. It is also a growing hub for gaming, financial services, and maritime industries.

As a Schengen member, a Malta visa grants access to all 29 Schengen countries.

What Is the Malta Schengen Visa?

A Malta Schengen visa is a short-stay authorisation that permits Nigerian passport holders to enter Malta and all 27 Schengen Area member countries for up to 90 days within any 180-day period. It covers tourism, family visits, and business travel. The standard adult fee is €80. As Malta has no resident embassy in Nigeria, applications are typically processed through a designated partner embassy, often Italy, which represents Malta for consular purposes in many countries.

Malta’s Schengen membership means a single approved visa covers not just the island itself but the entirety of continental Europe — a powerful document for any Nigerian traveller planning a broader European itinerary.

Types of Malta Visa Available for Nigerian Applicants

Schengen Visa (Type C)

For stays up to 90 days within any 180-day period for tourism, visits, and business trips.

Long-Stay National Visa (Type D)

For stays exceeding 90 days for work, study, or long-term purposes.

Malta is primarily a tourism-driven economy, and the tourist visa is by far the most common application type for Nigerian visitors.

Where to Apply for a Malta Schengen Visa in Nigeria

Malta does not maintain a resident embassy in Nigeria. Consular representation for Malta is typically handled by a designated partner, most commonly the Embassy of Italy in Abuja, as Italy frequently represents Malta for visa purposes in countries where Malta has no embassy.

However, this arrangement is subject to change and must be confirmed before you begin your application.

Before preparing any documents:

  1. Visit the official Maltese Ministry of Foreign Affairs website (foreign.gov.mt) for the current designated submission point for Nigerian applicants
  2. Contact the Italian Embassy in Abuja to confirm whether they are currently handling Malta visa applications from Nigeria
  3. Or contact Mr Schengen Visa, we verify this for you and handle the logistics

Submitting to the wrong embassy is a common and entirely avoidable mistake that costs time and money.

Malta Schengen Visa Requirements for Nigerian Applicants

Core Documents (All Applicants)

  • Valid Nigerian international passport — Minimum 3 months validity beyond your planned return date; minimum 2 blank visa pages; must be in good condition (no significant damage, loose pages, or water damage)
  • Completed Schengen visa application form — Every field filled accurately, signed and dated; obtain the current version from the relevant embassy
  • 2 recent passport photographs — 35×45mm, white background, neutral expression, no glasses; taken within the last 6 months
  • Travel health insurance — Minimum €30,000 Schengen-wide coverage for your full trip duration; from a recognised international insurer; the policy document must state the coverage amount clearly
  • Return flight reservation — Your full name, departure and return dates, full routing; a booking reservation is sufficient — do not purchase a non-refundable ticket before approval
  • Proof of accommodation — Hotel booking confirmation (all nights), or a notarised invitation letter with your host’s proof of Maltese address and residency
  • Bank statements — Last 3–6 months, all pages, certified or stamped by your bank; demonstrating consistent income and sufficient funds accessible during your trip
  • Cover letter — A clear, personal letter explaining your purpose of travel, specific destinations and activities in Malta, your travel dates, and a genuine explanation of why you will return to Nigeria after your visit
  • Proof of employment or business — Employment letter on company letterhead stating your position, monthly salary, and dates of approved leave; plus 3 months’ recent payslips; or for business owners: CAC documents, tax clearance certificate, and active business evidence

For Tourist Applicants — Also Include

  • Day-by-day itinerary (which areas of Malta, which attractions, what you’re doing on each day)
  • Evidence of ties to Nigeria (property, dependent family, ongoing employment contract)

For Visit (Family/Friends) Applicants — Also Include

  • Notarised invitation letter from your Maltese host
  • Host’s proof of Maltese residency or citizenship (ID card, residence document, or Maltese passport)
  • Financial sponsorship affidavit and your host’s bank statements (if they are funding your stay)

For Business Applicants — Also Include

  • Official invitation letter from a Maltese company or conference organisers (signed, stamped, on headed paper)
  • Maltese company’s registration documents
  • Nigerian company registration (CAC extract)
  • Conference or event registration confirmation (if attending a specific event)

How to Apply for Your Malta Schengen Visa: Step by Step

Step 1 — Confirm your submission point
Check foreign.gov.mt or contact Mr Schengen Visa to identify the current designated embassy for Maltese visa applications from Nigeria.

Step 2 — Prepare your document pack
Collect originals and one copy of every document. Arrange them neatly in the order requested by the embassy. A clean, well-organised pack signals care and seriousness.

Step 3 — Complete the application form
Fill in every field. Inconsistencies between your form and your supporting documents — even small ones like name variations — can trigger additional queries or refusals.

Step 4 — Book your appointment
Contact the designated embassy and schedule your submission slot. Allow at least 8–10 weeks before travel given the indirect nature of the application process.

Step 5 — Attend, provide biometrics, and pay
Bring all documents to your appointment. Biometric data (fingerprints and photograph) will be collected if you are a first-time Schengen applicant or if your biometrics have expired.

Visa fees:

  • Adults: €80
  • Children aged 6–12: €40
  • Children under 6: Free
  • Additional embassy service charges may apply

Step 6 — Track and collect
Standard processing takes 10–15 working days from submission. Collect your passport at the embassy or by secure courier if that option is available.

Financial Requirements for a Malta Schengen Visa

Malta is more affordable than many Schengen destinations – accommodation, food, and transport cost notably less than in countries like Switzerland, Norway, or even France. This makes it attractive for Nigerian travellers who want to explore Europe without the most extreme costs.

Financial benchmarks for Malta:

  • Show an accessible bank balance of €60–€100 per day of your intended stay
  • Regular monthly income credited to your account
  • No large unexplained cash deposits in the weeks before applying
  • Account history spanning at least 3–6 months

For a 7-day trip to Malta, demonstrating €420–€700 in accessible funds is a solid baseline. Showing comfortably more strengthens your application without any downside.

What to See in Malta: Building a Genuinely Compelling Itinerary

The more specific and believable your itinerary, the stronger your application. Here’s what a well-rounded Maltese trip looks like:

Malta Island

  • Valletta — Europe’s smallest capital city and a UNESCO World Heritage Site; St John’s Co-Cathedral, the Grandmaster’s Palace, and spectacular harbour views
  • Mdina — The “Silent City”; a walled medieval capital perched on a hilltop; walk its narrow limestone streets for a genuine step back in time
  • Blue Grotto — A famous sea cave complex on Malta’s southern coast; best seen by boat in the morning light
  • St Peter’s Pool — A natural swimming pool carved into limestone cliffs; one of Malta’s most dramatic spots
  • Marsaxlokk — A fishing village famous for its Sunday market and traditional luzzu fishing boats painted in brilliant colours

Gozo (Malta’s Smaller Sister Island)

  • Azure Window Cliffs — Though the arch itself fell in 2017, the dramatic coastline remains extraordinary
  • Ggantija Temples — 5,500-year-old megalithic temples; older than Stonehenge and the Egyptian pyramids
  • Victoria (Rabat) — Gozo’s capital; the hilltop citadel offers panoramic views across the entire island
  • Ramla Bay — Gozo’s finest beach; a long stretch of reddish-gold sand

A 7-day itinerary covering Valletta, Mdina, a day trip to Gozo, and Malta’s southern coast is specific, credible, and rich enough to support a strong visa application.

Why Malta Is an Excellent First Schengen Destination for Nigerians

Malta offers several advantages that make it particularly well-suited to Nigerian first-time Schengen applicants:

  • English is an official language — No language barrier for Nigerian visitors; navigating daily life, transport, and services is effortless
  • Warm climate year-round — Malta averages 300 days of sunshine annually; it is one of the Mediterranean’s warmest and sunniest destinations
  • Compact and easy to navigate — The entire island is roughly 27km long; everything is accessible by bus, rental car, or taxi
  • Rich history — From Neolithic temples to Knights of St John fortifications, Malta’s layered history is extraordinary per square kilometre
  • Affordable by European standards — Meals, accommodation, and transport cost significantly less than in Western European capitals
  • Strong air connections — Malta International Airport connects directly to major European hubs including London, Rome, Frankfurt, Amsterdam, and Paris, making it easy to combine Malta with other Schengen destinations

Malta Delivers More Than You Expect

Malta is the kind of destination that converts first-time visitors into repeat visitors. Its history is extraordinary, its landscapes are dramatic, its people are warm, and its English-speaking environment removes the friction that many Nigerian travellers worry about in other European countries.

Your Malta Schengen visa is your entry point to this island and to the entire Schengen zone. Getting the application right is the difference between setting foot on those limestone streets and watching someone else’s Instagram from home.

At Mr Schengen Visa, we understand exactly what the Italian Embassy (and other designated processing centres) need to see from Nigerian applicants. We review every document, refine every cover letter, and make sure your file is as strong as it can possibly be before submission.

Frequently Asked Questions: Malta Schengen Visa from Nigeria

Which embassy handles Malta visa applications for Nigerian applicants?

Malta is typically represented by the Italian Embassy in Abuja for consular purposes in Nigeria. However, this arrangement should always be verified on the official Maltese Ministry of Foreign Affairs website (foreign.gov.mt) before you begin preparing your application, as designated representatives can change.

How long does Malta visa processing take from Nigeria?

Standard processing is 10–15 working days from the date of submission. Given the indirect application route, allow a total of 8–10 weeks between starting your document preparation and your travel date.

Is Malta a good country for a first-time Schengen visa application from Nigeria?

Yes. Many experienced visa consultants recommend Malta as a strong first Schengen destination for Nigerian applicants. English is official, costs are manageable, the country is compact, and the application is processed through the Italian Embassy - a well-established consular office. A clean, well-documented application has a good success rate.

Can I visit Italy and Greece on my Malta Schengen visa?

Yes. A valid Malta Schengen visa allows travel across all 27 Schengen member states, including Italy, Greece, France, Spain, and more. Malta is an excellent gateway for a broader Mediterranean itinerary.

What is the best time to visit Malta from Nigeria?

Malta is pleasant year-round. The best months for beach holidays are June–September (warm, sunny, busy). April–May and October–November offer fewer crowds, comfortable temperatures, and easier sightseeing. December–February is the quietest period — mild but occasionally rainy, and excellent for exploring history and culture without tourist pressure.

Can I study English in Malta on a tourist Schengen visa?

Short English language courses are available in Malta and are popular with international visitors. However, a Type C tourist Schengen visa generally allows only short-term recreational language study, not formal academic enrolment. For longer study programmes, a national long-stay visa (Type D) would be required. Confirm with the embassy whether your specific course type is permitted under a tourist visa.

Your Malta Adventure Starts with One Step

Valletta is one of the most beautiful cities you’ve never been to. Let’s change that.

Don’t risk a refusal on a technicality. Our experts at Mr Schengen Visa have helped hundreds of Nigerian applicants get their Schengen visas approved and we’re ready to help you too.

Let us take the stress out of your visa application.
📞 Book a Free Consultation | 📋 Download Your Malta Visa Checklist

Address: KM 4 Gbongan – Ibadan Rd, opposite Sterling Bank, Osogbo 230284, Osun, Nigeria.

Phone: +234 816 237 7613 | Email: mrschengenvisa@gmail.com

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