Janet Bayes (January 16) requested further details on the revised process of the issuing of identity cards to foreigners.
In this regard one may wish to note that, in the run-up to the launch of the new non-Maltese residents’ system, a number of adverts, drawn up jointly by the Electoral Office, the Foreign Affairs Ministry and the police, were published regularly in the local media announcing the changes being introduced.
In essence such adverts informed non-Maltese persons that applications for the issue of identity cards would be discontinued after December 31, 2012 and that the process would be replaced by the new e-Residence Permit system to be introduced as from January 10, 2013. The adverts also provided contact details, reproduced hereunder for ease of reference, and additional information on opening hours and required forms.
As indicated in the adverts, applications for the new e-Residence Card will now be received from EU and Third Country Nationals at the Department for Citizenship and Expatriate Affairs. Applications now need to be submitted in person by appointment at 3, Castille Place, Second Floor, Valletta, while cards can be collected from 172, Melita Street, Valletta.
Additional information can be obtained from the Department for Citizenship and Expatriate Affairs on tel. 2200 1800 or by e-mail, eResidence.mfa@gov.mt Appointments are to be made by sending an e-mail to eResidence.mfa@gov.mt
In the case of persons seeking asylum and persons whose application for asylum has been refused, an identification document is issued by the Commissioner of Police (Principal Immigration Officer), Central Immigration Office. In this case, applications would need to be made at the Central Immigration Office, Police Headquarters, Floriana, from Monday to Friday between 8am and noon and between 1.30 and 4pm as well as on Saturdays between 8am and 1pm. Additional information can be obtained from the Police on tel. 2294 2114/5 or by e-mail, cio.police@gov.mt
To allow for an adequate transition period, non-Maltese nationals’ identity cards shall remain valid until March 31. Residence documents in paper format issued before January 10 will, however, continue to be valid for identification purposes until June 30. Accordingly this reply is also being used as an opportunity to urge foreign residents to contact the Department for Citizenship and Expatriate Affairs as early as possible and not to leave it till the very end.