CBM — Application Stages

CBM progresses through screening, residence, eligibility and due diligence, merit review, decision, and the oath of allegiance. Processing times depend on the competent authorities and on case readiness.

Application stages

• Proposal Outline and Assessment
  Government-mandated AML/KYC screening, followed by a structured consultation to review your background and intended contribution (for example, charitable, business or other initiatives in Malta). We prepare a proposal outline, review your planned contribution against the framework’s criteria, and advise you on whether to proceed.
  Purpose: Initial due diligence, assessment of the proposed contribution, and a recommendation on whether to proceed.
• Residence (Malta Residence Application)
  Preparation and filing of the required temporary residence application: forms, document collation, and coordination of your biometrics appointment with the Maltese authorities.
  Purpose: Residence status in Malta, which is required before a citizenship eligibility application can be filed.
• Due Diligence (Malta Citizenship Eligibility Application)
  The most technical stage. We prepare and file the formal eligibility application while the authorities carry out multi-jurisdiction due diligence (identity, integrity, source of funds and wealth), and we respond to any requests for further information. The eligibility application may be filed once the applicant has held residence status for the period required by the framework.
  Purpose: A decision on eligibility.
• Merit Proposal
  We prepare the full merit proposal, covering achievements, intended contribution to Malta, feasibility, governance and a delivery plan, with themes such as innovation, culture, sustainability or social impact, aligned with Malta Vision 2050. Supporting evidence is indexed for verification. The scope of the proposal depends on the nature of the contribution; for example, a business-related proposal may require a business plan and financial projections. In practice, the merit proposal is prepared in parallel with the due diligence stage, and both are submitted together as one case file.
  Purpose: A complete merit proposal submitted with the eligibility case.
• Citizenship Application
  Following eligibility approval, we finalise and file the citizenship application. Approved applicants take the oath of allegiance and receive a Certificate of Naturalisation.
  Purpose: A decision on the citizenship application.
• Optional: Proposal Implementation & Compliance Reporting
  Support after the decision to implement the proposed contribution and manage any ongoing compliance or progress reporting the authority may require.
  Purpose: Implementation of the contribution and any required compliance reporting.

Note: Processing times depend on the competent authorities and on the circumstances of each application.

What affects processing times

• Document readiness: complete, consistent documents reduce follow-up requests.
• Due-diligence complexity: multiple jurisdictions, business interests and source-of-wealth trails require more verification.
• Scheduling: in-person formalities, such as biometrics and the oath of allegiance, depend on appointment availability.

Processing times depend on the competent authorities and on the circumstances of each application.

FAQs

How can I avoid delays?

Submitting a complete, well-indexed file on day one and replying to diligence queries within 48–72 hours helps significantly. Pre-order police certificates, align civil names across documents, and prepare clear source-of-wealth trails to avoid follow-ups. Decide early on any in-person touchpoints and keep time-sensitive items (bank statements, insurance, certificates) on a refresh schedule.

Is there an interview?

Interviews are not routine. The authority typically requests clarifications in writing through your representative, and may invite discussion only if needed. Keep responses factual, consistent with your file, and supported by documentary evidence to prevent secondary queries.

Which stages require physical presence?

Biometrics and the oath/pledge are in-person. Depending on your case, additional brief visits may be advisable to strengthen your genuine link. Applicants are also expected to demonstrate a genuine link with Malta, which the competent authority assesses on the facts of each case.

What causes most delays?

Late police certificates from multiple jurisdictions, gaps in source-of-wealth evidence, and inconsistent civil records are the usual culprits. Start these items early, verify legalization/apostille requirements, and maintain a refresh plan for documents that expire mid-process. Consistency across names, dates, and addresses dramatically reduces back-and-forth.

Can I add family after submission?

Yes. Add-ons are possible subject to eligibility and procedure, but they trigger incremental review and timeline adjustments. Be ready with updated civil status proofs, dependency evidence (where relevant), and fresh identity documents for each added family member.

How should I package my “merit” evidence?

We develop a structured merit proposal with an executive summary, a merits matrix mapping your achievements to Malta’s desired outcomes, and a clear delivery plan. Appendices should include press, awards, MOUs, letters of support, milestones, and outcome data so reviewers can verify impact quickly. Cross-reference every claim to evidence with stable filenames and page numbers for easy auditability.

Are originals required at filing?

Certified scans typically suffice initially; originals or legalized/apostilled copies may be requested later for verification. Keep all originals organized and ready for rapid couriering, and confirm country-specific legalization rules in advance to avoid last-minute scrambling.

How do name or date mismatches get handled?

Provide change-of-name deeds, affidavits, or civil registry extracts that reconcile differences, and ensure the same spellings across passports, birth/marriage certificates, and bank records. A one-page discrepancy memo listing each variance and the supporting document that fixes it helps reviewers process your file faster.

Can crypto-origin funds slow the process?

Not if well-documented. Provide provenance (on-chain where relevant), KYC’d exchange/custody records, compliant off-ramping trails, and—where useful—auditor letters that translate technical detail for reviewers. Align your disclosures with tax filings and bank records to show a consistent, lawful source of wealth narrative.

What happens after approval?

You’ll complete any final formalities, schedule and attend the oath/pledge, then proceed to civil registration and any related formalities. We’ll provide a step-by-step checklist, book appointments, and coordinate document hand-offs so issuance proceeds smoothly.