American Embassy in Malta

                  

                    Ask Not What Your American               

                         Embassy Can Do For You:

                                    It Won't Do Much

                                

                      The American Embassy in Floriana, Malta--USELESS

I’m not surprised. If you’re an American, you won’t be surprised.  And if you happen to work for the American Embassy in Malta, you’ll be the least surprised of all.

About a year and a half ago, I started contacting the American Embassy in Malta to find out about applying for  a work permit. Three emails; no answer.  I tried calling them when I got to Malta; didn’t get through the menu.

I heard from another American who who even went there to the Embassy building in Floriana; no Americans in sight.   There were local Maltese people who were very friendly, he said, but he couldn’t get any relevant information regarding his problem/situation.

Now here’s something interesting:

I have a Maltese friend who said he knows someone who works at the Embassy.  My friend called this guy and told him that I haven’t been able to contact anyone there.  His friend said it had to do with the fact that Molly—the former US ambassador to Malta--had left a month ago with her entourage, and the the embassy was probably short-handed. Translation:  Instead of 80 Americans sitting on their asses in the Embassy, they’re now 75. 

“But Ilene had trouble last year before Molly left,” said my friend. 

“Well,” said the guy, I’ll call her myself.”

That was last week; I never heard anything and my Maltese friend is surprised.  But I’m not.  Why?  Because it’s the American Embassy.  That should be self-explanatory.

But I’m not being entirely fair.  I did hear back the other day from the Embassy.  It was a local Maltese woman who did call me back; she was very nice and explained that the Embassy is basically useless in helping with much more than getting a passport renewed.  I was so grateful that she, at least, called me back.  And why did she call back?  Because she’s not an American.  That’s why.  Because whatever you want to say about the Maltese bureaucrats, there’s one thing that’s true:  They’re friendly.

Do you know that once I called the Maltese Embassy in NYC to ask about the prospects of employment in Malta—and a Maltese guy actually called me back???

So let me tell you what the American Embassy in Malta (or anywhere) will and won’t do for you.

Let’s start with the Will Do List:

1. The Embassy will let you know if you’re likely to be killed in the country you’re living in.
2. The Embassy will attempt to issue you another passport if you lose one or it’s expired.
3. They may give you the name of an American doctor if you need one, but you have to go back to America to see him/her.  And bring your insurance card, of course.

That’s it.  Now….

The Won’t Do List

1. The Embassy will not help with any efforts you make in finding a job in the host country.
2. They won’t give you a job at the Embassy even if they have one; those are reserved for the local people in the country you’re living in.
3. They won’t help if you get into legal difficulties.
4. They won’t help if you have sudden financial problems.
5. They won’t help if you have a dispute with your local landlord.
6. They won’t help in any medical emergencies.
7. They won’t help you find health insurance abroad. (That would be a shock if they did, wouldn’t it?)
8. They won’t help if you’re kidnapped unless it’s a good story for CNN.
9. They won’t let you use the bathroom unless you can prove it’s a politically advantageous shit for them.

But I forgot to tell you this. There is one thing the American Embassy is doing for its citizens who live here in Malta—and we expat Americans should be so grateful.  They’re building a brand new gigantic embassy in the Maltese countryside.  They are taking what little land is undeveloped in Malta and turning it into an Embassy Disneyland.

That’s right, the carcass in Floriana isn’t good enough anymore. They need a bigger, fancier building and campus to not answer calls from Americans.  This building is going to be so f_______ big that the island will tip when it’s finished.

By the way, I love the American Embassy Website especially the part that says Contact Us.   Here are all the numbers you can try and not get assistance from:

Contact Us

Embassy of the United States

Development House, 3rd Floor
St. Anne Street, Floriana, Malta VLT 01

Mailing address:
P.O. Box 535, Valletta, Malta, CMR 01
Telephone Number: (356) 2561 4000
Fax: (356) 21 243229

The American Center (Public Affairs)
Embassy of the United States of America
Development House, 3rd Floor
St. Anne Street, Floriana, Malta VLT 01

Mailing address:
P.O. Box 535, Valletta, Malta, CMR 01
Telephone: (356) 2561 4147
Fax: (356) 21 246917
E-mail: usembmalta@state.gov

Email for visa and consular inquiries: ConsularMalta@state.gov

 

Oh, excuse me, will you?  The phone’s ringing. I don’t know who it is, but I can tell you who it isn’t.

Comments

[Sennuwy (an ancient Egyptian name)]

Thanks for your story and insights, Bailey---Ilene

[bailey]

Here's my favorite story from when we lived in Rome, where, unlike Malta, it would be impossible for you to even entertain the idea of competing for a job way with an equally qualified EU member resident. In Rome, you could teach English but you would have to find clients on your own and make your own way, almost entirely. I had friends that made such effort and gave such sacrifice, simply to live in Rome and make so little.

Ilene, this is a different country, much, much different than you even think, note bene, svp.

For what it's worth, here's my story: I was living in Rome, married to an Italian and working on getting my permesso di soggiorno, my right to stay, let alone work. I went to questura after questura, I went through a myriad of ways to obtain this simple right to stay in a country in which I was married to one of its own citizens.

Then, one of our friends, an English writer married to a Canadian women shared their their arbitrary tale. The wife was 7 months pregnant. She went to the questura, the municipal building to obtain her 'permesso'. The Italian officials allowed her to move to the front of the line because she was pregnant. She then came to the window and the nice women at the window argued for 45 minutes whether or not her country, Canada, was part of the EU. They decided that it was a member of the EU and granted my dear friend her blessed 'permesso'.

Malta is much further away and far more arbitrary in many ways than Italy, even though they speak our language. I wish you luck. Quite frankly, we've worked extraordinarily hard for our residency and the paperwork and the strife is intense. I really think you need to realize that the process will be far more complicated than you envision and yet, something might happen quite suddenly that may allow easier access. I'm not being cryptic, but one must really be open minded and mindful that simply because you are an American, and perceived as 'qualified', you are one of many and quite frankly, there are many that are out of work.

Tourism is down. Tough times lay ahead. Again, I wish you well, but don't assume you're living anywhere near the convenience that you and I have experienced while growing up in the States. The Maltese are warm, wonderful on many levels, smart and survival oriented as they'd had to have just about everything flown or shipped in, but times are tough, very, for all of us.

[Sennuwy (an ancient Egyptian name)]

Hi Andie--thanks so much for your concern and comments. As I say, it's the people like you--who I don't even know--who write and keep me going in this quest. And I hope my blog brings you something, too, even some laughs or feeling like things could be worse for you. Then that's good. Yes, I've registered with the American embassy here. As far as people helping me here, people have said they will try; let's see what happens. So far, nothing yet---Ilene

[Andie]

To bad you are having so many problems getting a work permit, for this wonderful country called Malta. Must be wonderful to be an American, that you have the freedom to Bash the Embassy, in a public forum. Have you taken the time to register with the Embassy, if something does happen of National security the Embassy will help you that's without a doubt. Most expats do not understand that the Embassy post are all about economic's not for the welfare of the American people. Did you know that the Maltese people DO NOT NEED A VISA TO TRAVEL TO THE USA, so of course the woman has her own business. The US is open to many people of many races, religons, ethinic groups and anyone can basically work or open a business, it's called free interprise. Unlike wonderful Malta kind of funny. Maybe your new friend that has relations in the ministry can help you. That's how it usually works in these country's it's about who you know.

[Sennuwy (an ancient Egyptian name)]

Hi Mary, I think (hope) there must be people who have had good experiences, but I haven't heard one yet. In fact, an Italian friend of mine had her handbag stolen in Barcelona and lost all of her ID stuff and couldn't get back on the plane without it. She went to the Italian consulate in Barcelona and they told her, "There's nothing we can do. Maybe if you take a hotel for two weeks, we can get you another passport." So....the lesson from this? Get a job in your local embassy; it's a no-brainer.

[Mary Bartolotta]

Good heavens. Have I lived all these years thinking the embassies are a refuge for any number of reasons, only to find out it's all BS? Are they really like that everywhere? What about those of other countries? Any better? More helpful? Go with the flow, Ilene. It's the only way to preserve any sanity that's left. Be well. Enjoy and get a job. Mary

[John]

www.starsandstripesmalta.com

[Sennuwy (an ancient Egyptian name)]

Hi Mrs. Maltagirl, Well, I guess Mr. S. was right--he said it was the wrong embassy. That's too bad about you getting that snotty attitude, but no surprise to me. I don't get it: what are they there for??---Ilene (non-snotty American, I hope)

[Mrs. Maltagirl]

I believe that's the embassy in Prague, but I don't mind because it's prettier than the one here.

Any time I or my family (we are Maltese citizens) have had to deal with the American embassy (to get visas) we have generally experienced a snotty attitude, especially from the Americans.

[Sennuwy (an ancient Egyptian name)]

Hey--I don't have your email address--Please email me at ilene.sennuwy@gmail.com.

[Sennuwy (an ancient Egyptian name)]

HEY THERE!!!! I just heard about you at the pet store yesterday. I want to meet you. Going to email you, my friend. Yes, Dr. Cassar is very good about explaining the pet rules. Hope to see you soon---Ilene

[GlobalGirl]

Hey! I just did a search "Americans working in Malta rules" - and your blog is on top. Glad to find you!

Just moved to Malta from Colorado...went to U.S. Embassy the other day...interesting. Just starting the job search, not sure what the requirements are for work permit???? Anyone?

Loved your article on Pet Travel. This is our third time exporting our kitty cat and dog overseas. Lucienne Cassar was very good and responsive to ALL my questions.

ciao for now, Global Grape

[Sennuwy (an ancient Egyptian name)]

Hi there Stephanie, say grazzi to your little sister. And thanks for you kind compliment---Ilene

[Clare]

This was hilarious :) Thanks for stopping by my blog. BTW, it was my 'little' sister who pointed me in the direction of your blog (Stephanie W) :)

[Sennuwy (an ancient Egyptian name)]

Hey, Steve, old friend. Nice to hear from you again. Thanks for all your inspirational thoughts. Someone said "You have a way with word," but I can't remember who that was. But thanks. BTW, Mr. S is in England right now for the next couple of weeks, but when he gets back (and the sun comes back), we're going to take a trip to Gozo. Get ready!---Ilene

[Steve H.]

As in the words of the great General Douglas Macarther 'Americans never quit'.

I think Kris Kristofferson said 'Don't let the bastards get you down'

Somebody else famous who's name I can't remember said 'The pen is mightier than the sword'

Now you have all the tools you need.

[Sennuwy (an ancient Egyptian name)]

Hi Dee, I have the feeling they're all the same everywhere. Come to Malta already--JUST DO IT! :-)

[Dee Owen]

Sounds like much the same here, so I'm told! G-d forbid you get locked up here...I wonder what the British one's like there and here. So far G-d willing, haven't had call for either! Still 'working' on M. to get to Malta for a visit! Wish the airfares would come down.