Located in Southern Africa, the Republic of Malawi has made its way to being one of the most beautiful places in Africa. The country is known for having friendly people, different spaces of animals, breathtaking beaches, and incredible unique food and drinks that the locals make.
Many tourists visit the country every year. However, foreigners who want to visit the country must first check if they need a visa. Read the article below for further information on the Malawi visa policy, requirements, duration, fees, and visa types.
Who Needs a Visa for Malawi?
Citizens of the following countries do not need a visa to enter and stay in Malawi for up to 90 days:
- Antigua and Barbuda
- Israel
- Saint Lucia
- Bahamas
- Jamaica
- Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
- Barbados
- Kenya
- Samoa
- Belize
- Kiribati
- Seychelles
- Botswana
- Lesotho
- South Africa
- Dominica
- Malaysia
- Tanzania
- Eswatini
- Mauritius
- Trinidad and Tobago
- Fiji
- Mozambique
- Tuvalu
- Gambia
- Namibia
- Uganda
- Grenada
- Nauru
- Zambia
- Hong Kong*
- Saint Kitts and Nevis
- Zimbabwe
*Citizens of Hong Kong can stay in Malawi for 30 days without a visa.
Other Visa Exemptions
Here are some other nationalities exempt from the requirements of a Malawi visa:
- Holders of a diplomatic or official passport from any country.
- Laissez Passer holders of the following:
- United Nations
- African Union
- African Development Bank
- International Red Locust Control Organization for Central and Southern Africa
- Preferential Trade Area
- Holders of an ongoing flight ticket can transit through Malawi without a visa.
How to Apply for a Malawi Visa?
There are three options for applying for a Malawi visa:
- Apply online.
- Apply at the port of entry.
- Apply at the embassy or consulate of Malawi.
Apply Online
Foreign nationals who need a visa to enter the country can apply for a Malawi eVisa online. To apply for an eVisa, applicants must follow the instructions:
- Enter the official page of Malawi eVisa.
- Create an account, and fill out the account with the required personal information.
- Attach other supporting documents.
- Finish the application fee payment online. You can do the payment with a credit card or debit card, Visa/Master.
- Wait until you receive an email with your application visa result.
Apply at the Port of Entry
According to the Malawi Department of Immigration, everyone who needs a visa to enter the country can apply for a Malawi visa at the port of entry. However, citizens of the following countries are not eligible to apply for a Malawi visa at the port of entry:
- Afghanistan
- Ghana
- Russia
- Algeria
- India
- Rwanda
- Angola
- Iran
- Senegal
- Bangladesh
- Iraq
- Serbia
- Burkina Faso
- Kazakhstan
- Somalia
- Burundi
- Lebanon
- South Sudan
- Cameroon
- Liberia
- Sri Lanka
- Central African Republic
- Libya
- Sudan
- Chad
- Mali
- Syria
- China
- Mauritania
- Tajikistan
- Colombia
- Morocco
- Togo
- Democratic Republic of the Congo
- Niger
- Tunisia
- Cuba
- Nepal
- Turkey
- Djibouti
- Nigeria
- Turkmenistan
- Egypt
- Oman
- Ukraine
- Ethiopia
- Pakistan
- United Arab Emirates
- Eritrea
- Palestine
- Uzbekistan
- Ghana
- Qatar
- Yemen
Apply at the Embassy or Consulate of Malawi
Foreigners who are not eligible for a Malawi eVisa can apply for a visa at the embassy or consulate of Malawi. Applicants who want to apply for a visa at the embassy or consulate of Malawi must follow these steps:
- Contact the embassy or consulate of Malawi in your home country and book a visa appointment.
- Fill out the Malawi visa application form and sign it at the end.
- Gather all the required documents and submit them to the embassy or consulate of Malawi.
- Wait until you receive a response from the embassy or consulate of Malawi.
Malawi Visa Requirements
Here are the documents you need to submit when applying for a Malawi visa:
- A passport valid for at least six months after the return date.
- Fully completed and signed Malawi visa application form.
- A travel itinerary .
- Flight Reservation / Confirmation.
- A bank statement document.
- Criminal record.
- Fee payment receipt.
Note: Other additional documents may be required depending on the Malawi visa type you are applying for.
Duration of a Malawi Visa
The duration of a Malawi visa is between one to three months. However, applicants will be informed about their visa duration once it is issued.
Malawi Visa Fees
Here are all the Malawi visa fees:
| Visa Types | Fee Amount |
| Transit visa | $50 |
| Single entry visa | $75 |
| Multiple entry visa valid for six months | $150 |
| Multiple entry visa valid for twelve months | $250 |
The visa application fee payment using VISA/Master Card only.
Note: The fee payment amount is non-refundable.
Malawi Visa Types
Here are all the Malawi visa types:
- Tourist visa. A tourist visa is issued to foreigners who want to visit Malawi for tourism, sightseeing, and business purposes.
- Official visa. An official visa is issued to foreigners for official business purposes. Applicants who need an official visa must have an official or service passport.
- Transit visa. A transit visa is valid for seven days and can only be used once. The transit visa is issued to foreigners who need to transit through Malawi to another country.
- Diplomatic visa. A diplomatic visa is issued to holders of a diplomatic passport.
- Courtesy visa. A courtesy visa is issued to foreigners invited by the government of Malawi.
- Work visa. A work visa is issued to foreigners who want to work in Malawi.
- Study visa. A study visa is issued to applicants who want to study in Malawi. The study visa is valid for as long as your study curriculum lasts.
Interesting Places to Visit in Malawi
Here are five interesting and breathtaking places to visit while in Malawi:
1. The Malawi Lake
One of the most beautiful lakes in the Southern Hemisphere is located in Malawi. Malawi Lake is home to more than 1,000 beautiful and unique fish species. Visitors can swim in Malawi lake all year round since the water has a temperature of 24°C – 29°C (75°F – 84°F).
2. The Nyika Plateau National Park
One of the largest Malawi parks with an area of 3200 km2, the Nykia Plateau national park holds a unique place in the country. The park is considered one of the most beautiful places in Africa. Visitors who want to visit Nyika Plateau will experience an unforgettable time there.
3. Lilongwe
Lilongwe is the capital of Malawi. Lilongwe city is considered one of the most beautiful cities in Malawi. You can find the biggest marketplaces, healthy cafes, and everything else you need while in the country.
4. Mzuzu
Mzuzu is one of the biggest clothes markets in Malawi. You can find there many beautiful clothes for a very cheap price. All the clothes are donated from all over the world. There are clothes from different brands such as H&M, Levis, A&M, etc.
5. Kande Beach
The Kande beach is one of the places where you can rest and enjoy an unforgettable day. You can do different activities throughout the day, such as swimming, horseback riding, snorkeling, and diving.