Current I Belong Cultural Orientation eligibility: the required Maltese-issued document, either accepted prerequisite certificate, and the enrolment caveat.
Direct answer
Who can take the I Belong 100-hour Cultural Orientation course?
You need two things: a valid Residence Permit, Asylum Seeker Document or CIO Document issued by the Maltese authorities, and either an I Belong Stage 1 Cultural Orientation certificate or a New Course on Maltese Language and Culture certificate.
Meeting these does not guarantee a place. The Directorate says submitting the form does not guarantee eligibility, acceptance, enrolment, or access to a course.
The prerequisite, from 15 June 2026
As from 15 June 2026 the Human Rights Directorate describes eligibility for the 100-hour Cultural Orientation course (previously Stage 2 Cultural Orientation) as a valid document plus an “I Belong Stage 1 Cultural Orientation certificate or New Course on Maltese Language and Culture certificate.”
Stage 1 Cultural Orientation, Maltese Language (MQF Level 1) and English Language (MQF Level 1) are discontinued. The Directorate encourages prospective participants to enrol in the New Course on Maltese Language and Culture, developed under the Malta Labour Migration Policy framework. It says the New Course “remains a requirement for participation in I Belong Cultural Orientation at 100-hours course.” An old Stage 1 Cultural Orientation certificate is still on the accepted list. See where to take the New Course on Maltese Language and Culture.
Another official page, an older servizz.gov.mt page last read on 29 September 2026, lists only “I Belong Stage 1 Graduates”. It does not show the either/or rule. Follow the Directorate’s page.
The conditions that can change
The Directorate says eligibility, access, course delivery, programme modalities and costs are subject to applicable legislation, available course places, and the programme arrangements in force at the time of course delivery. Its page states no minimum age.
Questions the official page does not answer
Ask the Directorate about any of these. We do not guess:
- Whether another English, Maltese or cultural-orientation qualification counts.
- Whether there is an upper age limit, or an age-related accommodation.
- What happens if you were partway through a Stage 1 course when it ended.
- What happens if your residence status changed between getting the certificate and applying.
Common questions
Does the current I Belong page state a minimum age?
No. The Human Rights Directorate's current I Belong page states no minimum age for the 100-hour Cultural Orientation course. It lists a valid Maltese-issued Residence Permit, Asylum Seeker Document or CIO Document, plus either an I Belong Stage 1 Cultural Orientation certificate or a New Course on Maltese Language and Culture certificate. Ask the Directorate if you think an age condition applies to you.
Can an English or Maltese qualification I already have replace the prerequisite?
The Directorate's page does not describe any such exemption. It names only two accepted certificates: the I Belong Stage 1 Cultural Orientation certificate or the New Course on Maltese Language and Culture certificate. If you hold another qualification, ask the Directorate whether it counts. See official contacts.
What does "subject to the applicable legislation" mean for me?
The Directorate says eligibility, access, course delivery, programme modalities and costs depend on the law, on the places available, and on the arrangements in force when the course runs. Submitting the registration form does not guarantee eligibility, acceptance, enrolment, or access to a course. Check the official page before you make firm plans.
What do I need to apply for the 100-hour Cultural Orientation course (formerly Stage 2)?
A valid Residence Permit, Asylum Seeker Document or CIO Document issued by the Maltese authorities, together with an "I Belong Stage 1 Cultural Orientation certificate or New Course on Maltese Language and Culture certificate." Stage 1 Cultural Orientation is discontinued, so the Directorate encourages prospective participants to enrol in the New Course on Maltese Language and Culture (developed under the Malta Labour Migration Policy framework). An existing Stage 1 certificate is still accepted. An older servizz.gov.mt service page (last read 2026-09-29) lists only "I Belong Stage 1 Graduates". It has not been updated for the 15 June 2026 restructuring.
Official sources for this page
These are the official pages this guide depends on. Open them directly before acting on a time-sensitive requirement.
- 01Human Rights Directorate (opens in a new tab)
Official I Belong Programme overview: the current programme structure (as restructured from 15 June 2026), eligibility, registration conditions, and discontinued courses.
Source last checked:
- 02Government of Malta — servizz.gov.mt (opens in a new tab)
Older servizz.gov service description of I Belong Stage 2: application channels, the required document and a processing timeline. Its eligibility and course text pre-dates the 15 June 2026 restructuring.
Source last checked:
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Read the official I Belong Programme pageOpens the official website