Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1141804
13 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 14 JULY 2019 NEWS MCAST: YOUR FIRST CHOICE Malta College of Arts, Science and Technology Administration Building, MCAST Main Campus Corradino Hill, Paola PLA 9032. T: 23987135/7136/7310 E: careerguidance@mcast.edu.mt www.mcast.edu.mt Online prospectus: www.mcast.edu.mt/mcast-prospectus-2019-2020 Time to succeed! JOIN MCAST APPLY ONLINE FROM 22nd July until 4th August MATTHEW VELLA IDENTITY Malta has been granted the power to conduct joint inspections with the po- lice inside educational centres to fish out visa overstayers and irregular residents pursuing a course of studies. IDM's reporting unit, which is entrusted with the inspection of illegally staying and illegally employed third-country na- tionals, will be empowered to inspect residence documenta- tion and registers from school premises, private schools, and also residences where students are housed. The premises and places liable to inspection include any such building where third country nationals could be housed. Any person who attempts to influence the IDM reporting unit in the exercise of its func- tions risks a three-month jail term and a maximum €3,000 fine. Persons who obstruct inspec- tors, refuse to comply with requirements, alter or destroy documents requested, or pro- vide misleading information, risk a six-month jail term and a €6,000 fine. Malta recently introduced a new student visa policy that fa- cilitates the immigration pro- cess for non-EU citizens study- ing here. Students from non-EU coun- tries may require a visa in order to come to Malta for educa- tional purposes. Such visas may be extended by a national visa or a residence permit, depend- ing on the length of the course. The new policy will allow English-language students a national visa instead of a resi- dence permit, unless their stay exceeds one year. The Ministry for Education, Identity Malta and the police will also maintain a system of data sharing on students and educational institutions. Non-EU students pursuing a full-time course that exceeds 90 days, if leading to a higher education qualification, may take up employment for a max- imum of 20 hours per week, starting from their first year of studies. Those who obtain a recognised higher education qualification in Malta may ex- tend their stay in Malta by six months. Visa overstayers can be a problem when loopholes are exploited: business visas to Malta for the purposes of cre- ating a company allow 90-day stays, but the system can be used as a risky way of enter- ing legally and then overstay- ing once the visa expires. Some business visa holders even file asylum claims simply to win more time and stay in Malta. Corporate service provid- ers in Malta can open compa- nies within days. 'Clients' pool their family's monies to raise the necessary capital to open a Maltese company – such as a branch of a family company – and secure a visa. Identity Malta to seek out visa overstayers in schools The premises and places liable to inspection include any such building where third country nationals could be housed