Resettlement and humanitarian admission - Malta

Overview

Relevant EU legislation

Malta is bound by the Union Resettlement and Humanitarian Admission Framework Regulation (URF). However, practical participation in resettlement activities has yet to take place. Resettlement programme is based on annual quotas within the framework of the European Resettlement Programme.

National legislation

Article 15 of the International Protection Act, Chapter 420 of the Laws of Malta stipulates that the Minister (responsible for asylum and migration) may, at the written request of an applicant, or of a recognized refugee or of a person enjoying subsidiary protection, and, where necessary, with the assistance of UNHCR, facilitate the resettlement of such person to another country and do all that is required for the purpose (Article 15 of International Protection Act).

There are no other legal provisions regulating resettlement of refugees to Malta from other countries.

Competent authority and stakeholders

Authorities responsible for establishing resettlement and humanitarian admission policy	Ministry responsible for migration and asylum: Ministry for Home Affairs, Security and Employment
Identification and referral of refugees for a) resettlement programmes b) humanitarian admission programmes c) community sponsorship programmes	United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)
Selection of refugees for a) resettlement programmes b) humanitarian admission programmes c) community sponsorship programmes	International Protection Agency (IPA) Health authorities from the Ministry of Health Immigration Branch – Malta Police Force
Pre-departure assistance a) resettlement programmes b) humanitarian admission programmes c) community sponsorship programmes	International Organization for Migration (IOM)
Travel arrangements a) resettlement programmes b) humanitarian admission programmes c) community sponsorship programmes	International Organization for Migration (IOM)
Arrival and reception a) resettlement programmes b) humanitarian admission programmes c) community sponsorship programmes	Agency for the Welfare of Asylum Seekers (AWAS) Identity Malta Agency Health authorities from the Ministry of Health Social security services from the Department of Social Security Education department from the Ministry of Education

Programmes currently in place

Currently Malta does not implement resettlement and humanitarian admissions programmes.

National quotas on resettlement and humanitarian admissions