I Belong Malta · Study Hub
Since 15 June 2026 the I Belong Programme focuses on the 100-hour Cultural Orientation course — plus seven deep study topics on Maltese language, culture, Malta’s history, and its civic institutions. This hub covers the current course and dated records of earlier course figures.
Cultural Orientation
100 h
Study topics
11
Residence pathway
LTR
Connect cultural knowledge to everyday life
Explain ideas in your own words, connect events and institutions to a real situation, and revisit them after a break. Use language practice as a separate supporting activity.
What this prepares you for
Since 15 June 2026, I Belong focuses on the 100-hour Cultural Orientation course. The Directorate also provides transitional arrangements for Stage 2 applications received before that date, including an opportunity to take MQF Level 2 Maltese. Its overview does not specify a current assessment format or numeric pass mark. Confirm the instructions for your course with your provider. Language exercises here are supplementary practice, not official I Belong course materials.
Read the official I Belong Programme guidance
Last verified:
- Try recalling the answer before revealing it.
- Compare the meaning, then rate your recall honestly.
- Explain a practical example aloud. Return for another session when cards are due.
Original practice only. Your recall ratings are self-assessments, not official marks or a prediction that you will pass.
Your short revision session
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Manage saved recall
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Explain it aloud
Original training scenarios. No microphone, recording or automated speaking score. Try a short answer, then compare it with the checklist.
Explain one event from Malta's history and how it helps you understand Malta today.
Answer in your own words and give a reason or a practical example. Use your own experience; do not memorise a script.
Study topics
Eleven topics with everyday Maltese, public services, work rights, history, holidays and civic life, plus Cultural Orientation revision.
Each topic has its own dedicated page with a full explanation, key facts, study tips, common pitfalls, and quick review questions.
- 1 / 11 · How the I Belong Programme worksUnderstand the current Cultural Orientation programme and keep optional language revision separate from your provider’s assessment requirements. 3 sections · ~5 min · 4 scored practice questions
- 2 / 11 · Maltese language — everyday basicsOptional Maltese for daily life: greetings, numbers and everyday phrases. Not part of the I Belong course, and not designed to prepare you for the MQF Level 2 Maltese exam that Long-Term Residence asks for. 4 sections · ~11 min · 5 scored practice questions
- 3 / 11 · Cultural orientation — daily lifeLearn about community life, village festas, public holidays and local services in Malta. 3 sections · ~7 min · 6 scored practice questions
- 4 / 11 · Maltese language — everyday conversationsOptional Maltese conversation practice for daily life, work and public services. Supplementary learning, not a current I Belong language assessment syllabus. 4 sections · ~11 min · 4 scored practice questions
- 5 / 11 · Malta's history — key periods and eventsExplore key periods of Malta’s history — from prehistory through the Knights of St John, French and British rule, to independence and EU membership. 4 sections · ~11 min · 7 scored practice questions
- 6 / 11 · Malta's civic institutions and governanceThe President, Parliament, Cabinet, Local Councils, Identità, and the key bodies that TCN residents interact with — an introduction to Malta’s civic structure. 4 sections · ~11 min · 5 scored practice questions
- 7 / 11 · Prepare for your Cultural Orientation courseTurn course notes into questions, practise recalling them after a break and confirm assessment instructions with your provider. 4 sections · ~5 min · 4 scored practice questions
- 8 / 11 · Living in Malta — everyday public servicesFind health services, plan bus journeys and choose the right office for documents or help. 4 sections · ~9 min · 8 scored practice questions
- 9 / 11 · Working in Malta — basic rights and dutiesUnderstand written terms, minimum pay, leave, Jobsplus records and where to raise a workplace complaint. 4 sections · ~10 min · 8 scored practice questions
- 10 / 11 · Maltese phrases for daily lifePractise short Maltese phrases for the doctor, bus, shop, workplace and emergencies. 4 sections · ~8 min · 8 scored practice questions
- 11 / 11 · Malta’s holidays and national symbolsLearn all 14 holidays, their 2026 dates, the flag, George Cross, national anthem and official languages. 4 sections · ~11 min · 8 scored practice questions
67 scored practice questions
Test yourself, not just read
Every study topic above has a scored multiple-choice practice quiz with instant feedback and an explanation for each answer. Or take the mock test — a randomised set drawn from the combined question bank across the study topics.
Your Malta integration pathway
Check the current entry requirements, complete your assigned learning and confirm any further requirements separately.
Check the programme requirements
Current Directorate guidance
Prerequisite certificate
Stage 1 Cultural Orientation certificate or New Course on Maltese Language and Culture certificate, as the Directorate lists them
Cultural Orientation
100 h · one Long-Term Residence requirement
Long-Term Residence
Separate requirements apply
Note: the programme was restructured on 15 June 2026 and now focuses on the 100-hour Cultural Orientation course. See what changed.
Pre-Integration Course · pre-15-June structure
Stage 1 — three entry-level courses (historical)
Under the pre-15-June-2026 structure, Stage 1 comprised the Pre-Integration Course: three MQF Level 1 courses covering language and cultural foundations. As from 15 June 2026 the I Belong Stage 1 Cultural Orientation, Maltese Language (MQF Level 1) and English Language (MQF Level 1) courses were discontinued. For the discontinued Stage 1 Cultural Orientation course, the Directorate points participants to the New Course on Maltese Language and Culture (developed under the Malta Labour Migration Policy framework), which it says remains a requirement for participation in the I Belong Cultural Orientation at 100-hours course. The course descriptions in the tables on this page are from this guide's 14 June 2026 record; the Directorate's current page does not publish them. Hours and pass marks for the old Stage 1 courses were never separately published in the official wording we have located.
Stage 1 courses
English Language
- Stage
- Stage 1
- Recorded MQF
- Level 1
- Hours
- Not published
- Pass mark
- Not published
Description recorded 2026-06-14: foundation English communication skills for daily life in Malta, delivered as part of the Pre-Integration Course.
Maltese Language
- Stage
- Stage 1
- Recorded MQF
- Level 1
- Hours
- Not published
- Pass mark
- Not published
Description recorded 2026-06-14: introduction to Maltese vocabulary and everyday expressions.
Cultural Orientation
- Stage
- Stage 1
- Recorded MQF
- Level 1
- Hours
- Not published
- Pass mark
- Not published
Description recorded 2026-06-14: overview of Maltese society, customs, public institutions and civic life at entry level.
Why hours and pass marks are missing for Stage 1: These figures have not been found in any official published source. We show the gap honestly rather than estimate. Read the full Stage 1 guide →
Stage 2 (Integration Course in earlier records)
The 100-hour Cultural Orientation course
Since 15 June 2026 the I Belong programme focuses on the 100-hour Cultural Orientation course. The Directorate says Stage 2 applications received before 15 June 2026 will be given the opportunity to participate in the Maltese Language (MQF Level 2) course alongside it. The Directorate does not state a combined hour total for that opportunity.
Stage 2 courses
Maltese Language for Integration
- Stage
- Stage 2
- Recorded MQF
- Level 2
- Hours
- 50 hours (recorded 2026-06-14)
- Pass mark
- 65% (recorded 2026-06-14)
Description recorded 2026-06-14: deeper Maltese language instruction focused on integration contexts.
Cultural Orientation
- Stage
- Stage 2
- Recorded MQF
- Level 2
- Hours
- 100 hours (120 recorded 2026-06-14)
- Pass mark
- No current Directorate mark published (80% attendance and 75% recorded 2026-06-14)
Description recorded 2026-06-14: advanced study of Maltese history, civic structures, rights and responsibilities. The Directorate now says the programme focuses on this 100-hour Cultural Orientation course, previously called Stage 2 Cultural Orientation.
Current course
100 h
Directorate: Cultural Orientation; Identità: Integration Course
Two sources, stated separately
The Directorate describes a 100-hour Cultural Orientation course. Identità's Long-Term Residence guidance describes an I Belong Integration Course at 100 hours and cites a 75% pass mark. Their pages use different course names; the matching hour figures do not establish that both describe the same course or settle the separate Maltese-language requirement. A guide record from 14 June 2026 lists earlier figures of 50 and 120 hours; those add up to 170, but we cannot establish whether the Directorate itself published that combined total. Neither those earlier figures nor a combined total appears on its current page. The 75% mark remains attributed to Identità only.
All courses side by side
Complete course reference
This table preserves earlier course figures recorded by this guide on 14 June 2026; we cannot re-check them against the current Directorate page. Since 15 June 2026 the programme focuses on the 100-hour Cultural Orientation course. Stage 1 courses and the Maltese Language (MQF Level 2) course are listed as discontinued, while Stage 2 applications received before that date are given the opportunity to take the Maltese MQF Level 2 course alongside the 100-hour course.
All five I Belong Programme courses, with stage, MQF level, hours, and pass mark
English Language
- Stage
- Stage 1
- Recorded MQF
- Level 1
- Hours
- Not published
- Pass mark
- Not published
Description recorded 2026-06-14: foundation English communication skills for daily life in Malta, delivered as part of the Pre-Integration Course.
Maltese Language
- Stage
- Stage 1
- Recorded MQF
- Level 1
- Hours
- Not published
- Pass mark
- Not published
Description recorded 2026-06-14: introduction to Maltese vocabulary and everyday expressions.
Cultural Orientation
- Stage
- Stage 1
- Recorded MQF
- Level 1
- Hours
- Not published
- Pass mark
- Not published
Description recorded 2026-06-14: overview of Maltese society, customs, public institutions and civic life at entry level.
Maltese Language for Integration
- Stage
- Stage 2
- Recorded MQF
- Level 2
- Hours
- 50 hours (recorded 2026-06-14)
- Pass mark
- 65% (recorded 2026-06-14)
Description recorded 2026-06-14: deeper Maltese language instruction focused on integration contexts.
Cultural Orientation
- Stage
- Stage 2
- Recorded MQF
- Level 2
- Hours
- 100 hours (120 recorded 2026-06-14)
- Pass mark
- No current Directorate mark published (80% attendance and 75% recorded 2026-06-14)
Description recorded 2026-06-14: advanced study of Maltese history, civic structures, rights and responsibilities. The Directorate now says the programme focuses on this 100-hour Cultural Orientation course, previously called Stage 2 Cultural Orientation.
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Malta Skills Pass — Tourism & Hospitality Skills Pass. A separate guide in this network.
Explore the Skills Pass guide →
Malta Pre-Departure Course — Single Permit Pre-Departure Course. A separate guide in this network.
Programme outcome
Long-Term Residence eligibility
Official wording states that successful completion of the I Belong Cultural Orientation at 100-hours is one of the requirements for Long-Term Residence Status (LTR) in Malta. Identità's separate LTR guidance describes an I Belong Integration Course at 100 hours and cites a 75% pass mark. The pages use different course names, so matching hour figures do not establish that both describe the same course or settle the separate Maltese-language requirement.
LTR
One requirement among others