What is in Malta's Pre-departure Course
Facts checked against the official sources on 21 October 2026. Independent guide, not affiliated with the Government of Malta.
Who must do it
All third-country nationals applying for a Single Permit for the first time while still abroad. The portal opened on 5 January 2026 and Identità has required the certificate for first-time applications since 1 March 2026. Without a valid certificate the permit application cannot proceed. Legal commentaries list exemptions for EU, EEA and Swiss citizens, EU Blue Card applicants and intra-company transferees; confirm your own case with Identità or your employer.
The two modules
Part 1 is the national integration course and has two modules: Living and Working in Malta, and Rights and Obligations in the Workplace. Each module is 10 to 12 hours of video lessons, reading and practice, delivered online through the Skills Pass Portal, and ends with an assessment. Part 1 must be completed within 42 days. Part 2 is a sector certification that only some occupations need, such as front facing tourism and hospitality roles, which take the Skills Pass as well.
The interview
After the modules comes a live online interview of about 20 minutes that verifies your English and your understanding of the course. It is held by the Institute of Tourism Studies in Malta or an authorised Global Assessment Centre in your country. Passing it gives you the Pre-departure Course certificate; for Skills Pass candidates, Phase 2 gives both certificates.
Fee and the Skills Pass
The Pre-departure Course costs €250, paid on the portal, which includes the booking of the interview. Front facing hospitality roles, such as waiters, bar staff and receptionists, also need the Hospitality and Tourism Skills Pass at €230, with its own online courses and a 30 minute interview. Kitchen helpers, dishwashers and back office staff need only the Pre-departure Course. The lists of covered roles differ between the ITS and Identità pages, so check both.
Pass mark
The portal does not publish a pass mark for the module assessments. Treat 70% as your target: it is the bar Għaddi uses in its mock assessments, and a pass at that level leaves a safe margin. The interview is not scored as a percentage; it is a conversation.
Practise for it
Għaddi Pre-departure is a free practice tool for both modules and the interview: the terms, six lessons in plain English, a job offer and a payslip to read, dialogues, the interview questions with model answers, and mock assessments. No account, works on any phone in any country. Independent, not affiliated with Identità, ITS, the Skills Pass Portal or the Government of Malta.
Practise for it, free
The first mock assessment is free. No account, no app store.
Try a free mock assessment