Malta's immigration laws are set to be overhauled, with the government aiming to introduce clearer procedures and strengthen protections for people seeking international protection, Home Affairs and Security Minister Glenn Bedingfield has announced.

The reform, expected to be unveiled in the coming months, will include a revision of the Immigration Act, which has been in force since 1970.

Speaking during a visit to the Agency for the Welfare of Asylum Seekers (AWAS), Bedingfield said Malta had changed significantly since the law was introduced, particularly following its economic and social development and its accession to the European Union and the Schengen Area.

He said the country needed a legal framework that reflected these changes, with immigration procedures that were clearer, fairer and more efficient.

The planned reform is also intended to maintain national security and public order while ensuring that the rights and dignity of people seeking protection are respected.

Bedingfield said the existing legislation needed to be updated to reflect Malta's current circumstances and the challenges it faces in managing immigration.

The government has yet to outline the specific amendments it intends to introduce or explain how the revised framework will work in practice.

During the visit, Bedingfield also acknowledged the work carried out by AWAS in assisting people seeking international protection in Malta.

Further details of the reform are expected to be announced in the coming months.