A total 3,953 applications from 111 countries for residence permits were received by the Home Affairs Ministry.
Home Affairs Minister Manuel Mallia told Ċensu Galea (PN) 241 requests were from Chinese citizens, 500 from Libyans and 307 from Filipinos.
There were 106 pending requests from Italians, 100 from South Koreans, 17 from North Koreans, 536 from Russian and Serbian nationals, 105 from Syrians and 114 from Somalis.