I Belong Malta Stage 1: the Pre-Integration Course

What Stage 1 covered (discontinued 15 June 2026)

Stage 1 — described officially as the Pre-Integration Course — was the entry point into the I Belong Programme. Official information described its purpose plainly: “learners will obtain basic knowledge of English language, Maltese language, and an introduction to life and support services in Malta.” As from 15 June 2026 these Stage 1 courses are discontinued (see the status box above); the description below is retained, dated, for context.

The named course components were:

MQF Level 1 sat at the most introductory rung of Malta’s national qualifications framework. Following the 15 June 2026 restructuring, the Stage 1 Cultural Orientation course is replaced by the New Course on Maltese Language and Culture, developed under the Malta Labour Migration Policy framework, which the Directorate says “remains a requirement for participation in I Belong Cultural Orientation at 100-hours course.” See a side-by-side comparison of every course across both stages, including which courses were discontinued.

Who can take Stage 1

Official information describes Stage 1 as open to foreign nationals aged 18 years and above. It also carries an explicit caveat worth taking seriously: “eligibility, access, course delivery, and programme modalities are subject to the applicable legislation, availability of course places, and programme arrangements in force at the time of course delivery.” In other words, the rules in force when you actually apply may differ from any general description — including this one — so the official page is the place to check before making plans around it.

See eligibility for Stage 1 and Stage 2 for the full picture, including how the Stage 1-to-Stage 2 prerequisite works.

What the prerequisite course leads to

Under the pre-15-June structure, completing Stage 1 was the gateway to Stage 2. Since the restructuring, the prerequisite is the New Course on Maltese Language and Culture, which the Directorate says is required for the I Belong 100-hour Cultural Orientation course. Successful completion of that 100-hour course is, in turn, described as one of the requirements for Long-Term Residence status — see what the 100-hour course involves and how the certificate connects to Long-Term Residence for the full chain.