Every person arriving in Malta has the right to apply for asylum; however this does not mean that every person will qualify or be granted protection. According to the Maltese Refugees Act the Refugee Commissioner can recommend two types of protection: (1) Refugee status and (2) Subsidiary protection. Other forms of complementary protection can be granted.
Malta Asylum Trends
Real Time
Asylum claims and total number granted protection
Arrivals
UNHCR estimates that less than 30% of the around 19,000 who arrived by boat from Libya since 2002 remain in Malta.
Beneficiaries of Protection have a right to a travel document and many opt to leave Malta on their own initiative.
Over 2, 800 beneficiaries of protection have been resettled or relocated to the U.S. and other E.U. Member States.
Reception
A person who arrives in Malta without a valid passport or visa can be detained in accordance with the Maltese immigration law for a period up to 12 months (up to 18 months in case their asylum claim has been rejected). If a person is granted protection he can temporarily reside in an open centre or choose to live in the community.
Solutions
Securing a durable solution for refugees is a principal goal of international protection and part of UNHCR's mandate.
There are three Durable Solutions: (1) voluntary repatriation to the country of origin (2) local integration in the country of asylum and (3) resettlement/relocation to a third country.