Challenges of moving from the Malta to the UK involve complex immigration laws and visa applications. Just one misstep — delay or even denial of entry could affect your personal and professional plans. Let an expert team of immigration solicitors help you with your relocation. Leave all your worries behind and rest assured regarding having every aspect of your move managed efficiently and in compliance with UK regulations. From securing an appropriate visa to enter the country to understanding the minutiae of residency in the UK, our services help you to move seamlessly.
The Success Story: Read about how A Y & J Solicitors helped this Malta client relocate to the UK and made the process easy, ensuring timely entry into the UK.
At A Y & J Solicitors in London, we've helped thousands of new and experienced business owners move to the UK from around the world. We understand the typical challenges that come along with your visa application for self-sponsorship UK and know how to mitigate them. We walk you through step by step, showing you how to self-sponsor a work visa in the UK. Instead of going it alone, let our lawyers take the weight off your shoulders, so you can rest easy knowing you'll be able to bring your business (and family) to the UK.
Kate Corey, Founder of 6 Degrees
We are specialists in immigration law and have supported more than 4,000 business owners and professionals around the globe to successfully navigate the British system. We work quickly, always responding to any queries within 24 working hours. And we work closely with the Home Office to pre-empt issues before they jeopardise sponsorship applications or breach compliance. We manage all United Kingdom immigration matters including visa applications under the new points-based immigration system, Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR), Spouse Visas, nationality, and more. We also handle complex cases of appeal, administrative reviews, judicial reviews and the many immigration challenges involving European Union law and human rights.
A Y & J Solicitors has more than 1,200 positive client reviews across Google and Trustpilot and is listed in The Legal top 500 best UK law firms, so you can rest assured your immigration challenges are in safe hands when you take these three simple steps:
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"I cannot recommend AY&J Solicitors enough for their outstanding services, and I must give special recognition to Aileen for her exceptional support throughout my UK ILR application process. From start to finish, the team demonstrated unparalleled professionalism, expertise, and care. Aileen was a true lifesaver! She guided me through every step of the complex application, ensuring that all my documents were in order and anticipating potential issues well in advance. Her attention to detail, patience, and clear communication made what could have been a stressful process feel seamless and manageable. Not only did Aileen handle my case with precision, but she also showed genuine compassion and understanding, which truly set her apart. She was always available to answer my questions, no matter how small, and her reassurance gave me immense confidence throughout the journey. Thanks to Aileen and the team at AY&J, my ILR application was successful without a hitch. I am incredibly grateful for their expertise and dedication, and I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend them to anyone seeking top-tier immigration advice. If you’re looking for a firm that combines professionalism with a personal touch, AY&J is the one to trust!"
"Outstanding Service. Specifically Thanks to Diana And Ikra Ahamed."
"We engaged with AYJ solicitors in summer to apply for Sponsor license followed by application for HSW visa. Our matter was handled by Raj Kaur who was very thorough in explaining us the process, providing us the complete list of requirements and clarifications if required. Whenever she didn’t have confirmed information she spoke to the seniors lawyers at the firm and provided us timely response. In the end, she helped us the prepare the application and CoS which was submitted and the application was granted. Raj also helped our employee submit their application and went beyond her role to support the application process as the applicant was for a family member and had other minor complications. I would highly recommend to use Raj and AYJ’s services."
There are many reasons for moving to the UK as a Maltese citizen. The UK has a thriving economy with many well-paid job opportunities. Maltese business people and entrepreneurs will appreciate the ease of setting up their businesses here and the minimal levels of administration and bureaucracy. The UK boasts a rich history and cultural heritage, with many museums, galleries, and historical sites, and the countryside is beautiful, with charming villages, mountains, hills, and lakes.
When it comes to education, the UK is home to some of the world’s most renowned educational institutions, including Oxford, Cambridge, Edinburgh, St Andrews, and University College London (UCL).
Another benefit of living here is the comprehensive transport network, including roads, railways, and airports, which makes it incredibly easy to travel within the UK and internationally.
The legal requirements that you need to meet will depend on whether you are applying for a work, study, business, or family visa. The following explains the main legal requirements for the most popular UK visas:
The UK Skilled Worker visa is an excellent option for Maltese nationals who wish to work full-time in the UK and ultimately gain permanent settlement and then citizenship. If your visa is granted, you will be able to stay for up to 5 years initially. To qualify for a Skilled Worker visa, you must have a job offer from a licenced UK employer with a salary of at least £38,700 per year or the ‘going rate’ for your occupation. You may have a lower salary threshold if you have a PhD or a job on the UK government’s new immigration list. In addition, you will need to meet the English language requirement by passing an approved Secure English Language Test (SELT).
If you are a Maltese national who would like to study at a UK university, college, or school, you must be at least 16 years old and have a formal offer of a place on a course from an approved educational provider in the UK. In addition, you must have enough funds to support yourself and meet the English language requirements.
After your studies, you can apply for a post-study work visa (also known as the UK Graduate visa), which will allow you to stay for a further 2 years to find employment. If you are successful in securing skilled work, you then have the option to switch to a Skilled Worker visa, which will allow you to gain permanent residency after five years.
The UK Innovator Founder visa enables citizens of Malta to move to the UK to set up a new business here and gain accelerated permanent residency after just 3 years. To qualify for a UK Innovator visa as a Maltese national, you must be at least 18 years old and have an innovative, feasible, and scalable business idea that has been endorsed by an approved endorsing body in the UK. In addition, you must meet the English language proficiency requirement and have enough money to support yourself and any family members.
To apply for a family visa as a Maltese national, you must have a partner or spouse, parent, or child who lives in the UK and is either a permanent resident or a British citizen. If you wish to apply for a spouse or partner visa, you and your partner must have a combined income of £29,000. In addition, you must meet the English language requirement. If your family visa is granted, your family visa will allow you to stay in the UK for up to 5 years, after which you can apply for permanent residency and then citizenship.
There are three main considerations when setting up your finances in the UK: 1) banking, 2) national insurance, and 3) tax.
To open a UK bank account, you will need proof of identity and a permanent UK address. For this reason, we recommend waiting until you arrive in the UK to open a new account. Once in the UK, you will need to apply for a National Insurance (NI) number. This is essential before you start working for your sponsor.
If you are employed, your sponsor will deduct tax at source through the ‘Pay As You Earn’ (PAYE) system. This is automatic, and there is nothing for you to do. If you are self-employed, you will need to submit a self-assessment tax return annually. An accountant in the UK can handle this for you.
The UK has a large Maltese population of around 40,000. If you are considering moving from Malta to the UK, whether to work, study, or join your family, the good news is that it is still very much possible despite the UK’s departure from the European Union. This guide will provide everything you need to make your move from Malta to the UK as smooth as possible. We will cover the legal requirements for Maltese nationals, the cost of living in the UK, how it compares to Malta, and a helpful relocation checklist. We also answer many of the most frequently asked questions about moving from Malta to the UK.
You will no doubt be aware the UK left the European Union (EU) on 31st December 2020, which ended the freedom of movement of people between the EU and the UK. As a result of Brexit, Maltese nationals now require a visa to live here. Thankfully, there are many visas available, and with the aid of a UK immigration specialist, getting permission to move here can be simple and hassle-free.
According to Numbeo, the cost of living in the UK is 14.1% higher than in Malta, and rental prices are around 20% higher here. Eating out and groceries are approximately 10% more expensive in the UK. It is important to bear in mind, however, that wages can be much higher in the UK than in Malta. In addition, the cost of living varies significantly across the UK, with London and the South of England being more expensive in general.
At A Y & J, we understand that moving to a new country can be overwhelming and stressful, but taking the right approach can make it much easier. We recommend taking the following steps to make your journey as smooth as possible:
The Self-Sponsorship route enables citizens of Malta to move to the UK without needing to secure an offer of employment. Rather than having to get a job offer, self-sponsorship applicants establish their own business here and sponsor themselves. Self-sponsorship in the UK provides a route to permanent residency and, eventually, British citizenship. AY&J can guide you through this process and help you benefit from this innovative immigration route.
As is the case with Maltese nationals, non-Maltese nationals must apply for a visa to relocate to the UK. At AY&J, we can advise on the best visa for your needs based on your nationality, background, family ties to the UK, and whether you plan to work, run a business, study or join family.
If you are a non-Maltese national who is planning to join a family member in the UK, you will need to apply for a UK family visa. Your UK-based family member must be a British citizen, have indefinite leave to remain (ILR), an EU/EEA national who started living in the UK before 1st January 2021 (i.e. Brexit), or have refugee status. This visa also provides a route to permanent residency in the UK. After holding a Family visa for five continuous years, you can apply for permanent residence and then British citizenship after one more year.
The documents needed vary based on the type of visa you are seeking. For instance, to apply for a UK Skilled Worker visa, you will need:
Yes, since the UK left the EU, Maltese nationals must obtain sponsorship from a licensed UK employer to apply for a work visa. Alternatively, you can explore the self-sponsorship option, which entails starting your own business in the UK and sponsoring yourself.
If you are thinking about moving back to the UK from Malta, we advise you to review your banking arrangements, credit rating, and national insurance contributions. Living outside the UK for many years might have affected your credit rating, making it more difficult to obtain a mortgage or borrow money. Additionally, consider the tax implications if you have resided in Malta for more than five years. Finally, check whether you need to ‘top up’ your National Insurance contributions to be eligible for a UK state pension.
Yes, Maltese citizens and their family members require a visa to live in the UK. Please refer to the visa options explained above.
Yes, however, Kenyan citizens and their family members normally require a visa to live in the UK. Please see the visa options explained above.
Yes, Maltese nationals can work in the UK, but they need a job offer from a sponsoring employer, a certificate of sponsorship, and a work visa from the UK Home Office.
Maltese nationals can apply for a UK visa online via the UK Home Office website. The process includes filling out a form, paying the necessary fees, and submitting the required documents. A UK immigration solicitor can provide assistance throughout this process.
Refer to the legal requirements for moving from Malta to the UK above.
The length of stay depends on the visa type. Maltese nationals can visit the UK for up to six months without a visa. Work visas are valid for up to five years and can pave the way to permanent settlement. Student visas cover the duration of the course, with the option to apply for a Graduate visa, allowing an additional two years to find employment. Family visas are issued for up to five years.
See the cost of living section above for details.
A Y & J Solicitors is a specialist immigration law firm with extensive experience with all types of visa applications. We have an in-depth understanding of immigration law and are professional and results-focused. For assistance with your visa application or any other UK immigration law concerns, please contact us on +44 20 7404 7933 or at contact us today. We’re here to help!
