From 2010 till February 2016 Identity Malta received a total of 7,903 applications for Maltese citizenship, 2,035 of which are still being processed.

In response to a Parliamentary Question put forward by Shadow Minister for Justice Jason Azzopardi, Minister for Justice Owen Bonnici responded to the number of citizenship applications received and the number of pending applications before Identity Malta.

Applications for citizenship have increased each year, with the most significant increase registered in 2015, amounting to a 38 per cent jump when comparing with 2011.

Between 2010 and 2016, Identity Malta received 3,775 applications for citizenship through marriage or naturalisation, 1,226 of which are still pending.

An increase of 300 per cent was found in applications for citizenship by marriage or naturalisation when comparing 2015 to 2011.