LA VALLETTA (MALTA) (MNA/ITALPRESS) – Foreign nationals applying for residence permits in Malta should prepare for stricter scrutiny of their lodging documentation, as Identità agency continues to tighten its verification processes and to combat to fraudulent applications. The new requirement comes in response to a scandal where the Maltese authorities allegedly issued thousands of fake Identity Cards to foreigners in exchange for bribes. A magisterial inquiry into these claims is currently underway, with several cases of suspected identity theft reported by local citizens. The Nationalist Opposition has currently a request for an investigation before the Auditor General, made by the three Nationalist Party members on the Public Accounts Committee, apart from a magisterial inquiry into the Identità agency scandal, initiated by lawyer Jason Azzopardi. Azzopardi revealed the scam within Identità that saw ID cards being issued on the basis of forged documents. He publicly claimed that about 18,000 ID cards were fraudulently issued. The state agency introduced the new requirement for third-country nationals applying for a residence permit, to present a lease agreement that has been officially attested by a notary, lawyer or legal procurator. The national agency stated that this additional verification step, which involves notarised agreements, aims to enhance the accuracy and reliability of information submitted by applicants. Professionals have so far been unwilling to have their members comply with the new requirement, with both the Notarial Council and the Chamber of Advocates directing its members not to put their signatures on these new forms over verification concerns. However, Identità will allow a “grace period” for applications from third-country nationals, as it remains locked in a stalemate with notaries and lawyers who are refusing to comply with a new requirement in the application for residence permits. Previously, residence permit applicants in Malta only needed to present a lease agreement registered with the Housing Authority. (ITALPRESS).
Foto: Agenzia Fotogramma
