VISAS

PLS CHECK WHETHER YOU NEED A VISA

Citizens of member countries of the Council of Europe, the USA, UK dependencies (except holders of British Dependent Territories Citizens and British National Overseas Passports) and some Commonwealth Countries as well as citizens of countries with which Malta has bilateral agreements or other arrangements DO NOT REQUIRE a visa to enter Malta for a stay of less than 3 months. 

Citizens of:

Andorra, Argentina, Australia, Bolivia, Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, Costa Rica, Croatia, El Salvador, Guatemala, Holy See (Vatican City), Honduras, Israel, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, Monaco, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Romania, San Marino, South Korea, Singapore, Uruguay and Venezuela DO NOT REQUIRE a visa to enter Malta for a stay of less than 3 months. 

ALL other nationalities NOT listed here will have to apply for a visa.  Delegates coming from countries not listed above should either check with the nearest Maltese Embassy / Consulate or their country's Ministry of Foreign Affairs to see whether they and/or their accompanying persons need to apply for a visa 

Download Visa Application Form here

*PLEASE THINK EARLY. IT WILL NOT BE POSSIBLE TO OBTAIN A VISA AT SHORT NOTICE. AT LEAST A MONTH IS REQUIRED TO OBTAIN A VISA.

Personal and Other Insurance
Participants are reminded to take out personal insurance for themselves and accompanying persons, including insurance of personal effects.

Climate and Clothing
Whilst the weather in Malta in September is usually hot and sunny, it may also be cold and windy.  Light jackets and umbrellas are recommended.

Telecommunications
New state-of-the-art equipment links Malta to the rest of the World.  Broadband Internet Access and fax facilities are readily available while Vodafone and Go provide the latest generation mobile telephony services (WAP, GPRS). Relatively cheap international calling cards may be bought from various outlets.

Currency
As from 1 January 2008, the unit of currency in Malta will be the Euro. 

Banks
There are banks in all the towns and villages with additional "Bureaux de Change" in Sliema, St. Julians and Valletta.  Bank of Valletta and HSBC banking hours are as follows:

Bank of Valletta
Monday - Thursday 08:30 - 14:00
Friday  08:30 - 15:30
Saturday  08:30 - 12:30

HSBC
Monday - Thursday  08:30 - 13:30
Friday 08:30 - 16:30
Saturday  08:30 - 12:30

The bank at the airport is open twenty-four hours.

Electricity
Electricity supply is 220/240 volts, single phase, 50 cycle.  The square fitting standard three-pin plugs and sockets are used.

Food/Catering
Coffee Breaks will be available on conference days and Lunches must be pre-booked on the Registration Form. 

Dietary Requirements
Please specify on the registration form if you have any special dietary requirements.

Restaurants in Malta offer a wide choice of cuisine ranging from the local to Continental, Indian, Mexican, Chinese.  Maltese food is heavily influenced by the Italian and Italian restaurants abound on the islands.

Dinner can cost from 14 Euros to 45 Euros per head depending on the category of restaurant. Snack bars and cafes are cheaper.  Nightclubs and discotheques charge entrance fees of around 7 Euros and cinema tickets cost 6.5 Euros.

Leisure
Malta offers facilities for practically all kinds of sports and the Marsa Sports Club has an 18-hole golf-course, 18 tennis courts, a racetrack and several badminton and squash courts.  Many of the leading hotels in Malta have modern health and fitness facilities.

Health
Delegates should ensure that they are covered by adequate medical insurance.  Health care in Malta is of a high level conforming to European standards.   The new Mater Dei Hospital is the state hospital.  There are also two private hospitals, St. James Capua and St. Philips.

Language
The national language is Maltese which is a complex derivative of Semitic and Romance languages using a primarily Latin alphabet but also including a number of additional letters which originate in the Arab language.  English is also an official language and is widely spoken in Malta and will be the language of the conference.

Postal Services
Stamps may be bought from most Newsagents/Stationers.  For full postal services the main Post Office is located in Castille Place, Valletta whilst branches may be found in most areas.  Postal rates for an ordinary letter/postcard are as follows:
Local:   Euros 0.19
Europe and UK   Euros 0.37
USA and Canada   Euros 0.51
Australia   Euros 0.63

Shopping
Shops are usually open from 09:00 to 13:00 and 16:00 to 19:00.  However, many are closed on Saturday afternoon.  Malta is renowned for its Lace, Mdina Glass and reasonably priced gold and silver items.  Local honey and wine have been famous since antiquity.

Markets: Il-Monti, Valletta, Mondays to Saturdays, 07:30 to 12:00; St. James Ditch, Valletta, Sundays, 07:30 to 12:00. Marsaxlokk, Sunday mornings.

Useful Telephone Numbers
Communications Office, University of Malta 2340-2828
Emergency (Police, Ambulance, Fire)  112 
Overseas Operator  1152
Directory Enquiries  1182
VodafoneOperator  1189
Go Operator  1187
Flight Enquiries  5004 3333 (Malta International Airport)
Gozo Ferries  21  556114

Restaurants
Barracuda, 194, Main Street, St. Julians  Tel: 21 331817, 21 337370
San Giuliano, Spinola Beach, St. Julians  Tel: 21 332000, 21 319615
Dolce Vita, 159, St. Georges Road, St. Julians  Tel: 21 337806
Da Peppino, St. Georges Road, St. Julians  Tel: 21 373200
Portopalo, Tigne Sea Front, Sliema  Tel: 21 331915
Bacchus, Triq Inguanez, Mdina  Tel: 21 454981, 21 459437
Medina, 7, Holy Cross Street, Mdina  Tel: 21 454004
The Arches, 113, Main Street, Mellieha  Tel: 21 573436, 21 520533
The Carriage, South Street, Valletta  Tel: 21 247828
Trattoria Palazz, Old Theatre Street, Valletta  Tel: 21 226611
Grabiel, Marsascala Seafront, Marsascala, Tel: 21 684194
Porto del Sol, Xemxija Hill, St. Paul's Bay, Tel: 21 573970 

For further information about Malta:

http://www.searchmalta.com/
http://www.maltatourismauthority.com/  which has links to
general info about Malta; hotels and events and other MTA sites
http://www.eyemalta.com/
http://www.visitmalta.com/This site has a good interactive map of Malta.  Click on the link to access the map, then click "Show Tags" in the bottom left hand corner to show place names when the various options at the top of the map are clicked.