S.L. 217.6 Art. 17Entitlement to autonomous residence permit in particularly difficult circumstances.

(1) The Director shall issue an autonomous residence permit to the widow/widower, to the minor child and to the child who has reached the age of majority in the event of the death of the sponsor after having obtained a residence permit for reasons of family reunification.

(2) The Director shall issue an autonomous residence permit to a person who, having entered Malta on the basis of a family reunification permit, is subsequently found to be in particularly difficult circumstances following a breakdown of the marriage and other similar difficult circumstances such as domestic violence against spouses and children, forced marriages and the forced return by the sponsor of family members to the country of origin.