What is the Key Employee Initiative?
The Key Employee Initiative (KEI) provides a fast-track work
permit for highly specialised Third-Country Nationals (TCNs), who
are employed in Malta.
The scheme enables work permits to be issued to key prospective
employees, no longer than 5 working days from the date of
application, under normal circumstances.
Third-Country Nationals
Third-Country Nationals require a single work permit to be able
to obtain residence and be employed in Malta. This is because TCNs
are not members of the EU or EFTA, and are therefore not able to
move across borders, in the EU, without the proper
documentation.
However, TCNs who are high-skilled workers, are provided with a
fast-track work permit service by the Key Employee Initiative.
Under normal circumstances, the scheme will issue work permits in
not more than 5 days, as detailed above. In contrast non highly
specialised TCNs must wait for at least a couple of months.
