Prime Minister Robert Abela has defended Malta's new Residence and Visa Programme (which replaced the IIP scheme), stating that "We have a programme that ticks all the necessary boxes."

The Prime Minister was asked about recent revelations regarding the IIP scheme and how it used to operate. It was reported that the requirement for a "genuine link" to Malta in order to obtain a passport was at times tenuous, with receipts such as from Rabat's famous Crystal Palace Bar being included at times along with items like plane receipts to prove that candidates had developed ties in Malta. 

Furthermore, reports showed how over 300 applicants paid near-enough the bare minimum in rent, for properties which were not fit for either purpose or for their price, with an average of a 16 day stay in Malta.

"Our law speaks clearly about the requirements for a genuine link to Malta, there are a diverse number of ways as to how this can be proved," the Prime Minister said.

He stated that since then, the programme has been strengthened to meet surveillance requirements. The IIP programme had ended and was recently replaced by the Residence and Visa Programme. "What we did for sure, is that during the last weeks we continued to strengthen this programme. We increased due diligence and surveillance - which was already robust. I believe we have a program which ticks all the necessary boxes."

The country has to look at the positives of this scheme, the Prime Minister said, as he indicated that this programme has brought €1.5 billion to this country which helped the country stay on its feet during the pandemic.

"We also have to agree about the principle of it; whether we want this programme to be removed - like there are some who for partisan reasons tried to make happen - or otherwise we continue taking the great wealth which this programme has brought to our country. This programme has brought in €1.5 billion into our country... this is the wealth that has been created. The people experienced the use of this wealth in these past months during the pandemic," the PM noted.

"We have to agree that this programme is a must and that it has created a lot of wealth in the country. Naturally, I understand that there needs to be surveillance, and this will continue to be strengthened," Abela said.