Maltese embassies and consulates have so far received 277 enquiries about the Individual Investor Programme (IIP), otherwise known as the citizenship scheme.
Answering a parliamentary question by Marthese Portelli (PN), Foreign Minister George Vella said the largest number of enquiries had come from Moscow, Paris, Rome, Istanbul and Dubai.
A month ago, The Sunday Times of Malta reported that an international pop singer, a prominent Gulf royal family, a South American footballer and an American press magnate were among those reported to be interested in applying for a Maltese passport.
According to the CEO of Henley and Partners, which is promoting the scheme, hundreds have expressed interest and some have put forward deposits.
That was before a one-year residency condition was introduced into the scheme following scathing criticism from the European Commission and European Parliament.