S.L. 188.6 Art. 11BApplication for naturalisation on the basis of merit. 

(1) Pursuant to the receipt of the letter of approval in principle in accordance with these regulations, the applicant, together with his dependants, where applicable, may subsequently proceed to file an application for naturalisation on the basis of merit, which application shall be accompanied by:

(a) proof of residence in Malta for a period of at least

*Vide regulation 25 of Legal Notice 159 of 2025. THE BASIS OF MERIT

eight (8) months or more in the period preceding the date of application;

(b) in the case of an applicant who has submitted a proposal letter, proof of title to adequate residential property in Malta, except in the case of an applicant who is a minor:

Provided that where the applicant who has submitted a proposal letter and is not a main applicant, is still a member of the household of his family, the Minister may, if he is satisfied that the applicant is not in a position to purchase or take on lease such property, waive this requirement;

(c) an indication of the exceptional service or the exceptional contribution rendered or made or to be rendered or made to the Republic of Malta or to humanity, or of the exceptional interest that his naturalisation is or may be to the Republic of Malta together with an endorsement by the designated competent body in terms of these regulations, as may be requested by the Board;

(d) a confirmation of adequate knowledge of Maltese or English; and

(e) proof of all other ties created with the Republic of Malta as at that stage as proposed in the proposal letter.

(2) Upon receipt of an application, the Agency shall:

(a) update its due diligence;

(b) request the applicant to produce any further documentation and information that it may require on the applicant and his dependants, where applicable at its discretion;

(c) request the applicant to pay any applicable non-refundable administrative fees as may be established by the Agency from time to time and such other fees as the case may be.

(3) When the Agency is satisfied with the completeness and fulfilment of all controls in terms of regulation 11B(2), it shall request the Board to evaluate the application submitted by the applicant, and his dependants, where applicable, further to the proposal letter submitted by him. Such further evaluation shall be performed within a reasonable period. During this process, the Board may request additional documents or information from the applicant, through the Agency, as it deems necessary.

(4) The Board, following the evaluation process, shall have the authority to recommend the application to the Agency for approval or rejection. The Agency shall subsequently submit the recommendation to the Minister for final approval or rejection. The Minister shall not be obliged to provide any reason in support of his decision, which decision shall be final.

(5) If the application is rejected by the Minister, the Agency shall notify the applicant in writing with the decision.

(6) If the application is approved by the Minister, the Agency shall issue a letter of approval in favour of the applicant and his dependants, where applicable, which letter of approval may also include certain continuing obligations, where applicable.

*