S.L. 452.130 Art. 4Transitory provisions in respect of existing or new employment agencies or businesses providing the recruitment of persons. 

(1) Any person who, prior to the entry into force of these regulations, was engaged in any activity or operation relating to employment agencies or employment business, providing recruitment of persons, and is in possession of a valid licence to do so under the

Employment and Training Services Act or regulations issued thereunder, may continue to perform such activities as authorised under their existing licence conditions until such existing licence expires: 

Provided that any such person shall apply for a new licence in accordance with regulation 3(1) with the Director at least two (2) months before the expiration of any existing licence or, if the existing licence expires earlier than two (2) months from the day of the coming into force of these regulations, not later than one (1) month from the day of the coming into force of these regulations. Any existing licence expiring within the said one (1) month period shall be deemed to have been extended accordingly.

(2) In the period between the date when these regulations come into force and the date when the new licences come into effect, the authorised provider shall follow all directions and conditions that the Director may establish:

Provided that when such conditions are inconsistent with the existing licence, the new conditions shall prevail.

(3) Any person applying for a licence as a first time applicant shall submit an application as from the 1st of January 2024.

(4) Identity Malta Agency shall not accept and process any application for a residence permit in accordance with the Single

Application Procedure for a Single Permit as regards Residence and Work and a Common Set of Rights for those Third-Country Workers Legally Residing in Malta Regulations, or any application for the renewal of such a permit from a third-country national unless that application is endorsed by his prospective employer who is in possession of a valid licence issued by the Director and who in accordance with these regulations is bound to have a valid licence:

Provided that sub-regulation (4) shall not apply to applications submitted by third-country nationals and who paid the required fee for an employment licence prior to the coming to force of these regulations. In such cases the third-country national applicant may be given reasonable time by Identity Malta Agency to seek alternative employment with another employer.