Director Consular Services and Maltese
Living Abroad
Mr. John Buttigieg
Assistant Director Consular Services and Maltese Living Abroad
Ms. Roberta Zahra
CONSULAR SERVICES
General consular assistance
The Directorate for Consular Services and
Maltese living Abroad may be described
as the showcase of the Ministry for Foreign and
European Affairs and Trade (MFET) as it deals directly with services aimed at the general public. With
the invaluable assistance of Maltese diplomatic staff serving abroad, the
Directorate provides a broad array of services to Maltese individuals, ranging
from medical assistance, assistance to victims of crime and loss or theft of
travel documents amongst others.
In such situations, the Directorate acts as the point of contact between
the individual who is abroad and his/her family at home, facilitates financial
transactions when required, and in countries where Malta has a diplomatic
presence, ensures that Maltese diplomatic officials, whenever possible, visit
and assist the person in distress. The Directorate also helps in searching for
Maltese citizens reported missing while abroad or provides information to the
family who seeks information in this regard. All requests for information are
treated in full confidentiality.
Arrest or detention while abroad
Whenever a Maltese national is arrested or sentenced by a foreign court,
MFET acts as the means of communication between the detained individual and his
family in Malta, and tries to ensure that the convicted citizen has access to
adequate legal representation in a language that he or she may understand.
Emergency or crisis situations
Whenever a country or region is
affected by an emergency or crisis situation, such as a natural disaster or
terrorist attack, the Directorate serves as the point of contact between
Maltese nationals who may get caught in the crisis and their concerned families
at home. In such cases, the Ministry sets up an ad hoc Emergency
Crisis Centre, equipped with emergency telephone lines to address the public’s
queries. The Directorate also maintains constant communication, through its
Embassies, High Commissions and Consulates, with the local authorities where
the crisis occurred and with other EU member states to ensure that it receives
the latest official information on the particular crisis.
Visa applications and travel advice
The
Directorate provides general information concerning visa requirements and visa
application procedures to Maltese nationals wishing to travel abroad. It also provides
regularly updated travel advice to Maltese nationals who may need to travel to
countries where the political situation or otherwise may not be conducive for
travel.
Legalisations
The Directorate has a legalisation unit which issues Apostilles or
Legalisations. Apostilles and legalisations are authorised endorsements of
public or commercial documents that are officially recognised by both the
country of issue and the country in which they are to be used.
Scholarships
Local and foreign governments offer a
number of scholarships for Maltese citizens who may wish to continue
with their studies abroad. Following an official notification of an offered
scholarship, the Directorate issues a press release, distributes and receives
applications from interested parties, and coordinates interviews, where
applicable. The Scholarship Unit within the Directorate also offers practical
guidance to successful candidates.
Rogatory letters
Every legal process that involves Maltese and foreign jurisdictions, seeks
the Consular Services Directorate’s assistance, which through its network of
Embassies and Consulates abroad, serves as the main point of contact between
the juridical authorities of the countries concerned.
Consul-on-the-Move
The main objective of the
Consul on the Move (COTM) Programme is to provide a number of consular
services, which normally are available at Malta’s Embassies, High Commissions
and Consulates General abroad. The initiative started in 2016 following the
introduction of the biometric passport, which require the applicant to
physically call at the Mission to apply and have his biometric data captured.
Besides passport applications, the services offered through the COTM include
applications for life events certificates and Maltese citizenship. The
Programme conforms with the government’s policy to bring its services
closer to the citizens. Currently the service is available in five main
countries with the largest number of Maltese
residents, namely: Canada, USA, UK, Australia and New Zealand.
The
Directorate for Consular Services and Maltese
Living Abroad coordinates the annual visits together with the High Commissions,
Embassies involved as well as give advice on any issues related to the
programme with a view to ensure that the mobile service offered to Maltese
citizens resident abroad is of the highest possible level.
Maltese Living Abroad Unit
The
Directorate has a Unit specifically dedicated to the Maltese Living Abroad. The
Unit has the purpose of safeguarding the
interests of Maltese citizens living abroad.
Amongst other issues, the Unit handles the following:
· Gather
information and policies advice related
to Diaspora issues;
· Keep
regular contact with all stakeholders related to the Maltese living abroad;
· Monitor local
legislations and EU regulations potentially affecting Maltese Living Abroad;
· Provide consultation
and advice to Government on Diaspora matters;
· Maintain close and
effective liaison with Malta’s overseas diplomatic missions;
· Keep close contact
and assist the Secretary of the Council of Maltese Living Abroad.
The Council is established by Act XX of 2011 (CAP 515);
· Ensure the contuation
and implementation of decisions made by the
Council for the Maltese Living Abroad (CMLA);
· Assist the Secretary of the CMLA in the
organization and convening in Malta ofnthe
annual CMLA Meeting as well as other meetings taking place from time to time
via video-conferencing;
· Assist in the
preparation for the Convention for the Maltese Living Abroad;
· Maintain a register
of NGO’s and Associations of the Maltese living abroad;
· Maintain a register
of successful Maltese living abroad;
· Promote and
encourage the voluntary registration of Maltese citizens living abroad, known as
Notification D’