Malawi
Malawi
Travel requirements
Malawi visa policy

Malawi visa policy

The Malawi visa policy is a set of rules that states the citizens of which foreign countries Malawi wants to admit.

Currently, Malawi grants visas through three application methods: a Malawi electronic visa (e-Visa), a visa on arrival, and a regular visa. The method of applying for a Malawi visa that a person requires depends on their citizenship, the purpose of travel, and the expected period of stay in the country.

The Malawi e-Visa is the most advantageous option: one can apply online and receive the approved electronic visa to Malawi via email without attending a diplomatic mission in person. The e-Visa to Malawi is available for more than 200 nationalities and can be used for tourism, business, transit, and medical treatment.

A visa on arrival can be received at the Malawi entry point. It does not require applying ahead of time but may cause some problems: the lines for on-arrival visas are long, and the traveler may be visa-denied already in Malawi.

A regular visa can be obtained only by making a personal visit to the Malawian embassy or consulate. One should apply for a regular visa if they are not eligible for other Malawi visa application methods or intend to stay in the country for a more extended period.

Also, nationals of 8 countries can travel to Malawi without a visa and stay there for up to 3 months.

The visa policy of Malawi is essential information to examine before departing for Malawi. However, every traveler should also review other Malawi entry requirements, as, without a set of required documents, it is not possible to enter the country.

Who can enter Malawi?

Malawi is open to travelers from all over the world. Every visitor, regardless of nationality, is allowed to enter Malawi if they meet the entry requirements. Citizens of 8 countries can travel to Malawi visa-free, while holders of other countries must obtain a Malawi electronic visa, a visa on arrival, or a regular visa.

Malawi has not fully lifted the COVID-19-related restrictions, so it is mandatory to follow the rules implemented by Malawi authorities and regularly check information for updates.

Entry requirements for Malawi

In accordance with Malawi entry requirements, all travelers must hold an international passport valid at least six months beyond the date they expect to enter Malawi. The non-visa-exempted nationals need to present a Malawi visa issued for their travel purpose.

Visitors aged 12 and over must show proof of a negative PCR taken 72 hours before arrival or proof of full COVID-19 vaccination with the final vaccine dose administered at least 14 days prior to travel. If travelers fail to comply with these restrictions, they will be tested for COVID-19 on arrival at their own expense.

Malawi government also requests proof of yellow fever vaccination if a person is traveling from a country with yellow fever transmission. Passengers who have recently visited countries affected by the Ebola virus may be required to undergo a health examination at a Malawi hospital upon arrival.

Travelers must declare and exchange all foreign currency upon entry into Malawi, regardless of the amount. The undeclared currency will be confiscated, and its holder will be arrested and detained.

Documents checklist for entering Malawi

According to the entry requirements of Malawi, you may be required to present the following documents upon arrival:

  • a valid passport
  • a Malawi visa (if applicable)
  • COVID-19 vaccination proof/negative PCR test
  • a yellow fever vaccination proof (if applicable)

Note: Malawi travel requirements may be announced and altered at little notice. It is highly recommended to check the official website of the Malawi government for the latest developments closer to your time of travel.

Methods of getting a visa to Malawi

Explore the three types of Malawi visas: an electronic visa, a visa on arrival, and a regular visa to Malawi.

Electronic visa (e-Visa)

The Malawi e-Visa system was launched to make the application process easier. An applicant is able to apply online: just complete a form on the website and pay the fees. One is informed through email after their Malawi e-Visa is approved.

Applicants can choose between a 30-day single-entry visa, a 6-month multiple-entry visa, and a 12-month multiple-entry visa to Malawi for tourism, business, and medical treatment. A transit e-Visa to Malawi is single-entry and allows a 7-day visit.

Visa on arrival

A visa on arrival is available at the Malawi entry ports. It stays valid for 30 days and can be extended up to a maximum period of 90 days.

Even though it does not require applying in advance, a Malawi visa on arrival has its disadvantageous: passengers often face troubles when looking for the necessary line, have to wait for hours in queues for a visa, and there is always a risk that the application for a visa on arrival will be rejected.

Regular Visa

To obtain a regular visa to Malawi, one should contact a Malawi diplomatic mission and schedule a visit – it is the only option for persons not able to use other application methods. The application process involves a visa interview with a consular officer.

The Malawi regular visa requires some hassle, but it is the only option if you are not eligible for other visa types or want to travel to Malawi for long-term purposes such as studying or working.

Countries and regions which require a visa for entry into Malawi

Review the list of countries to see whether you need a Malawi visa and which type is required for your country of citizenship:

Electronic visa (e-Visa)

  • AndorraAndorra
  • United Arab EmiratesUnited Arab Emirates
  • AfghanistanAfghanistan
  • AnguillaAnguilla
  • AlbaniaAlbania
  • ArmeniaArmenia
  • ArgentinaArgentina
  • American SamoaAmerican Samoa
  • AustriaAustria
  • AustraliaAustralia
  • ArubaAruba
  • Aland IslandsAland Islands
  • AzerbaijanAzerbaijan
  • Bosnia and HerzegovinaBosnia and Herzegovina
  • BarbadosBarbados
  • BangladeshBangladesh
  • BelgiumBelgium
  • Burkina FasoBurkina Faso
  • BulgariaBulgaria
  • BahrainBahrain
  • BermudaBermuda
  • BruneiBrunei
  • BoliviaBolivia
  • BrazilBrazil
  • BahamasBahamas
  • BhutanBhutan
  • BotswanaBotswana
  • BelarusBelarus
  • BelizeBelize
  • CanadaCanada
  • Cocos IslandsCocos Islands
  • CongoCongo
  • Central African RepublicCentral African Republic
  • Republic of the CongoRepublic of the Congo
  • SwitzerlandSwitzerland
  • Ivory CoastIvory Coast
  • Cook IslandsCook Islands
  • ChileChile
  • CameroonCameroon
  • ChinaChina
  • ColombiaColombia
  • Costa RicaCosta Rica
  • SerbiaSerbia
  • CubaCuba
  • Christmas IslandChristmas Island
  • CyprusCyprus
  • Czech RepublicCzech Republic
  • GermanyGermany
  • DjiboutiDjibouti
  • DenmarkDenmark
  • DominicaDominica
  • Dominican RepublicDominican Republic
  • AlgeriaAlgeria
  • EcuadorEcuador
  • EstoniaEstonia
  • EgyptEgypt
  • EritreaEritrea
  • SpainSpain
  • EthiopiaEthiopia
  • FinlandFinland
  • FijiFiji
  • Falkland IslandsFalkland Islands
  • MicronesiaMicronesia
  • Faroe IslandsFaroe Islands
  • FranceFrance
  • GabonGabon
  • United KingdomUnited Kingdom
  • GrenadaGrenada
  • GeorgiaGeorgia
  • French GuianaFrench Guiana
  • GibraltarGibraltar
  • GreenlandGreenland
  • GambiaGambia
  • Guinea BissauGuinea Bissau
  • GuineaGuinea
  • GuadeloupeGuadeloupe
  • Equatorial GuineaEquatorial Guinea
  • GreeceGreece
  • GuatemalaGuatemala
  • GuamGuam
  • GuyanaGuyana
  • Hong KongHong Kong
  • HondurasHonduras
  • CroatiaCroatia
  • HungaryHungary
  • IrelandIreland
  • IndiaIndia
  • IraqIraq
  • IranIran
  • IcelandIceland
  • ItalyItaly
  • JamaicaJamaica
  • JordanJordan
  • JapanJapan
  • KyrgyzstanKyrgyzstan
  • CambodiaCambodia
  • KiribatiKiribati
  • ComorosComoros
  • North KoreaNorth Korea
  • South KoreaSouth Korea
  • KuwaitKuwait
  • Cayman IslandsCayman Islands
  • KazakhstanKazakhstan
  • LaosLaos
  • LebanonLebanon
  • Saint LuciaSaint Lucia
  • LiechtensteinLiechtenstein
  • Sri LankaSri Lanka
  • LiberiaLiberia
  • LithuaniaLithuania
  • LuxembourgLuxembourg
  • LatviaLatvia
  • LibyaLibya
  • MoroccoMorocco
  • MonacoMonaco
  • MoldovaMoldova
  • MontenegroMontenegro
  • Marshall IslandsMarshall Islands
  • MacedoniaMacedonia
  • MaliMali
  • MyanmarMyanmar
  • MongoliaMongolia
  • MacauMacau
  • Northern Mariana IslandsNorthern Mariana Islands
  • MartiniqueMartinique
  • MauritaniaMauritania
  • MontserratMontserrat
  • MaltaMalta
  • MaldivesMaldives
  • MexicoMexico
  • MalaysiaMalaysia
  • MozambiqueMozambique
  • NamibiaNamibia
  • New CaledoniaNew Caledonia
  • NigerNiger
  • Norfolk IslandNorfolk Island
  • NigeriaNigeria
  • NicaraguaNicaragua
  • NetherlandsNetherlands
  • NorwayNorway
  • NepalNepal
  • NauruNauru
  • NiueNiue
  • New ZealandNew Zealand
  • OmanOman
  • PanamaPanama
  • PeruPeru
  • French PolynesiaFrench Polynesia
  • New GuineaNew Guinea
  • PakistanPakistan
  • PolandPoland
  • Sierra LeoneSierra Leone
  • San MarinoSan Marino
  • SomaliaSomalia
  • SurinameSuriname
  • El SalvadorEl Salvador
  • SyriaSyria
  • SwazilandSwaziland
  • Caicos IslandsCaicos Islands
  • TogoTogo
  • ThailandThailand
  • TajikistanTajikistan
  • TokelauTokelau
  • Timor LesteTimor Leste
  • TurkmenistanTurkmenistan
  • TunisiaTunisia
  • TongaTonga
  • TurkeyTurkey
  • TuvaluTuvalu
  • TaiwanTaiwan
  • UkraineUkraine
  • United StatesUnited States
  • UruguayUruguay
  • UzbekistanUzbekistan
  • Vatican CityVatican City
  • Saint Vincent and the GrenadinesSaint Vincent and the Grenadines
  • VenezuelaVenezuela
  • British Virgin IslandsBritish Virgin Islands
  • VietnamVietnam
  • VanuatuVanuatu
  • SamoaSamoa
  • YemenYemen
  • MayotteMayotte
  • South AfricaSouth Africa
  • ZambiaZambia
  • ZimbabweZimbabwe
  • QatarQatar
  • PalauPalau
  • RwandaRwanda
  • PortugalPortugal
  • SwedenSweden
  • SlovakiaSlovakia
  • SloveniaSlovenia
  • RussiaRussia
  • Saudi ArabiaSaudi Arabia
  • Brunei DarussalamBrunei Darussalam
  • Trinidad and TobagoTrinidad and Tobago
  • RomaniaRomania
  • ParaguayParaguay
  • SudanSudan
  • United States Virgin IslandsUnited States Virgin Islands
  • Turks and Caicos IslandsTurks and Caicos Islands
  • South Georgia and the South Sandwich IslandsSouth Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands
  • Saint Pierre and MiquelonSaint Pierre and Miquelon
  • Isle of ManIsle of Man
  • GuernseyGuernsey
  • Solomon IslandsSolomon Islands
  • Saint MartinSaint Martin
  • Saint HelenaSaint Helena
  • ReunionReunion
  • Puerto RicoPuerto Rico
  • JerseyJersey
  • CuracaoCuracao
  • Cape VerdeCape Verde
  • British Indian Ocean TerritoryBritish Indian Ocean Territory
  • Antigua and BarbudaAntigua and Barbuda
  • Saint BarthelemySaint Barthelemy
  • Sint MaartenSint Maarten
  • BonaireBonaire

Visa on arrival

  • BeninBenin
  • CongoCongo
  • HaitiHaiti
  • IndonesiaIndonesia
  • MadagascarMadagascar
  • PhilippinesPhilippines
  • SingaporeSingapore
  • Sao Tome and PrincipeSao Tome and Principe

Regular visa

  • AngolaAngola
  • BurundiBurundi
  • GhanaGhana
  • SenegalSenegal
  • ChadChad
  • South SudanSouth Sudan
  • PalestinePalestine

Visa-free access

  • IsraelIsrael
  • KenyaKenya
  • Saint Kitts and NevisSaint Kitts and Nevis
  • LesothoLesotho
  • MauritiusMauritius
  • TanzaniaTanzania
  • UgandaUganda
  • SeychellesSeychelles

Entry requirements for children

Malawi entry requirements for children do not differ much from those for adults: everyone must have a valid passport and a Malawi visa if holding a passport of a country with no visa exemption.

Still, underage travelers do have some special entry rules. While minors from 12 to 17 must follow all the COVID-19 restrictions, children under the age of 12 do not need vaccination proof or a negative PCR test on arrival.

Additionally, minors visiting Malawi must have a birth certificate and a consent letter signed by both parents or legal guardians. If an underage person is traveling with only one parent or guardian, immigration officers may request a consent letter from the absent parent or guardian. The consent letter must be notarized, authorizing the child to travel to Malawi.

Transit information

Transiting is when a traveler passes through one country in order to get to their onward destination.

Passengers can transit through Malawi provided they show either a certificate of full vaccination against COVID-19 or a negative PCR test taken not more than 72 hours from departure.

The Malawi visa is required even for transit if your nationality is not visa-exempt. Eligible citizens can apply for a transit e-Visa to Malawi that allows a stay for 7 days and remains valid for 3 months from the issue.

Important information

  • Malawi visa policy allows entry into Malawi to citizens of all countries who meet the entry requirements of Malawi.
  • There are three methods of obtaining Malawi visas: an electronic visa, a visa on arrival, and a regular visa.
  • Malawi e-Visa is available for tourism, business, medical treatment, and transit.
  • All visitors entering Malawi must have a passport with a minimum validity period of 6 months from arrival.
  • Travelers over 11 years old must present a COVID-19 vaccination proof or a negative PCR test.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Do I need a visa to travel to Malawi?

If you are not a citizen of a country with visa-free access to Malawi, you must obtain a Malavi visa to enter the country. Check the Malawi visa policy to know whether you need a Malawi e-Visa, a visa on arrival, or a regular visa.

What are the methods of getting a visa to Malawi?

The visa policy of Malawi offers three methods of applying for Malawi visas: an electronic visa (Malawi e-Visa), a visa on arrival, and a regular visa. The required Malawi visa application method depends on the specific travel purpose and your nationality.

Can I get a Malawi visa on arrival?

Citizens of 8 countries can get a visa on arrival in Malawi. There is no need to apply before your travel, as visas on arrival are issued at the Malawi entry points.

What are the requirements for going to Malawi?

Foreigners willing to come to Malawi must have a valid passport, Malawi visa, and COVID-19 vaccination proof/negative PCR test. Note that Malawi entry requirements may vary depending on the traveler's nationality, age, and previously visited countries.

Do I need a visa to transit through Malawi?

Yes, unless you are a visa-exempt citizen, a Malawi e-Visa is mandatory for transit purposes. A transit e-Visa to Malawi stays valid for 3 months and permits a 7-day stay in Malawi before departing for another country.

What are the requirements for children traveling to Malawi?

Minors traveling to Malawi must adhere to the same entry requirements as adults excluding the necessity to present a COVID-19 vaccination proof/negative PCR test on arrival for those under 12. Also, all underage passengers must have a birth certificate and a consent letter signed by both parents/legal guardians.