Embassy of the United States Valletta, Malta

You are strongly advised to read the more complete description of the application process below. 

Please first confirm that you need to apply for a visa, visa fees are non refundable even if you discover that you do not need a visa.  Certain individuals may not need a visa.  For example: 

• Individuals Eligible to Travel under the Visa Waiver Program.  Citizens of Malta and 34 other countries may travel to the U.S. for tourism or business for up to 90 days without a visa.  This is known as the Visa Waiver Program (VWP).  Permanent residents of Malta who are not from one of the VWP countries are not eligible for this program and MUST apply for a visa.  Click here for a list of all the countries in the program.
• To qualify for the program, the VWP country citizen must have a valid biometric passport ad be seeking to enter the U.S. for 90 days or less as a visitor.  You need to have a round-trip ticket or through transportation ticket on a participating carrier – most airlines are participating carriers, but you can verify this with the airline you intend to use.  You cannot have any visa ineligibilities, such as a serious criminal record, or prior visa refusals.  You must also be able to show that you can cover your expenses while you are in the United States.
• All travelers under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) must obtain authorization through the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) prior to initiating travel to the United States.  ESTA is available here.  There is currently a €11 or US$14 fee for ESTA.
• Please note that under the VWP you cannot extend your stay in the U.S. beyond 90 days and cannot change your status while you are in the U.S.  Also, you may not work or study in the U.S. while traveling under the VWP.
• Individuals Already Holding Valid Visas for Their Intended Purpose of Travel.  If you have a valid, undamaged visa in a passport which has expired or been canceled, and the old passport is from the same country as your current passport, you do not need to obtain a new visa.  You may simply carry the old passport together with your currently valid passport to enter the U.S.  The two passports need not be attached or sealed.  If you want to have a visa places in your new passport, however, you will need to submit an application through the regular channel, pay the non-refundable application fee and any issuance fees, and come in for an interview.
• Note that applicants under the age of 14 do not need to appear for an interview.  Parents of children below age 14, however, are required to appear on behalf of their children.  Children under the age of 14 years who are not appearing in person for an interview may submit their application along with their parent’s application.  Even if the child does not appear for an interview, though, the child must be physically present in Malta at the time the interview takes place.
• Nonimmigrant visas are for international travelers, who wish to travel to the U.S. temporarily. This visa allows you to travel to a U.S. port-of-entry (airport, for example) and request permission of the Department of Homeland Security immigration inspector to enter the U.S. A visa does not guarantee entry into the United States. The type of visa needed is defined by immigration law, and relates to the purpose of your travel.

How to Apply

Thank you for your interest in traveling to the United States. Please read these instructions carefully. Failure to properly prepare your visa application can result in delays. All visa applicants must apply in person at the Consular Section of the U.S. Embassy. You are strongly encouraged to file your visa application a minimum of four weeks before your planned travel to the U.S. to allow sufficient time for processing. In most cases, applicants whose visas are approved may collect their passports 3-4 business days after the visa interview, but some cases require several weeks of additional processing. Depending on the type of visa requested, applicants may need to submit appropriate supporting documents (see categories of visas for additional documentation suggested). If documentary requirements are not met, the Embassy will not accept the application for processing. In all cases, the Consular Officer may request additional information or documentation as deemed necessary.

APPLYING FOR A NON-IMMIGRANT VISA IN THREE STEPS

NOTE: All visa applications must be submitted using the online Nonimmigrant Visa Application (Form DS-160). Older versions of the visa application form (Forms DS-156 and DS-157) will not be accepted, regardless of when they were downloaded and/or completed.

Step 1: Prepare the following required documents:

1. A valid passport with at least two blank pages. The passport must be valid for the duration of the intended stay in the U.S.
2. An online Nonimmigrant Visa Application (Form DS-160), completed on the website https://ceac.state.gov/genniv/. The application form must be completed and submitted online and the confirmation page generated at the end of the application process must be printed out and presented at the time of application. Please provide accurate and complete information in answer to all questions; if you submit a DS-160 that is inaccurate or incomplete, your application will not be accepted. If you make a data entry error, please contact the Consular Section to have the application re-opened so you can make the necessary corrections.
3. One 5 x 5 cm photo with a white background, taken within the last 6 months. You will have the opportunity to upload your photo when completing the online Nonimmigrant Visa Application; however, if you are unable to successfully upload a photo, you may instead bring a photo to the Embassy at the time of your visa application. For more information on photo requirements, click here.
4. Each applicant must pay the Nonimmigrant Visa Application Fee at any branch of Bank of Valletta in Malta and Gozo prior to submitting an application at the Consular Section and present the original receipt at the time of the visa interview. For a list of current visa fees, please refer to our consular fees page. The visa application fee is non-refundable and cannot be reimbursed, even if your visa application is denied.
5. If you have ever been issued a U.S. visa in the past, bring all passports that contain a U.S. visa.
6. For non-Maltese and non-EU citizens residing in Malta, please present evidence of a valid freedom of movement stamp or residency permit for Malta.
7. Applicants for employment-based or exchange visitor nonimmigrant visas (including visa categories H, J, A-3, G-5, NATO-7, and B-1 personal or domestic servant applicants) should review information about Workplace Rights in the United States (PDF) prior to their visa interview.

Note: Some nationalities (but not Maltese) are required to pay an additional visa issuance fee based on reciprocity between the United States and the country of nationality of the applicant. The visa issuance fee must be paid in cash at the Consular Section, in either U.S. dollars or Euros.

Step 2: Schedule an appointment for the visa interview. 

Click here to schedule the interview.

Click here for information on Emergency Appointments.

Step 3: Go to the Embassy for the interview, along with your required documents.

The Consular Section is open to the public for visa services on Wednesday mornings from 8:00 am to 11:00 am, excluding U.S. and Maltese holidays. Click here for a list of 2011 Holidays.

Special Note: Applicants are required to prove to the Consular Officer that they have strong ties to Malta that will compel them to return to Malta at the end of their temporary visit.

Strong ties differ from individual to individual. Some examples of ties can be a job, a house, a family, and/or a bank account. "Ties" are the various aspects of your life that bind you to your country of residence: your possessions, employment, social and family relationships. You will be asked direct questions by the Consular Officer to evaluate your ties to Malta. You may be asked by the Consular Officer for documents such as proof of employment, pay stubs, tax statements, property deeds, school transcripts, etc., which prove strong ties.

During the visa interview the Consular Officer looks at each application individually and considers professional, social, cultural and other factors. In cases of younger applicants who may not have had an opportunity to form many ties, consular officers may look at the applicant's specific intentions, family situation, and long-range plans and prospects within his or her country of residence. Each case is examined individually and is accorded every consideration under U.S. law.

Step 4: Collect your passport from the Consular Section.

In most cases, applicants whose visas are approved may collect their passports 3-4 business days after the visa interview (weekends and holidays not included).

ESTA - ELECTRONIC SYSTEM FOR TRAVEL AUTHORIZATION

The Consular Section is open to American Citizens on Mondays and Fridays from 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. and Wednesdays from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.   Visa Services are on Wednesdays from 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., except on Maltese and American public holidays.

Address:
Ta' Qali National Park
Attard - ATD 4000
Telephone Number: (356) 2561 4000
Email: ConsularMalta@state.gov for Visa applicants and ACSMalta@state.gov for American citizens

Visa Call Center (Summer Hours):
Hours:  Monday - Thursday 2:00 - 4:00 p.m.
Telephone Number:  2561 4115