Malawi:Visa Requirements

MalawiLearn the visa requirements for this country. Last check:Last update:

Official Government Website

Malawi Visa Requirements Map

Malawi: Visa Requirements

Visa requirements may change. Always verify the latest information through official government sources.

Visa-Free Entry Requirements

  • A passenger benefitting from visa-free entry must carry a passport valid for at least six months from the date of arrival in Malawi. The maximum permitted stay under the visa exemption is up to 90 days.
  • The visa exemption applies solely to entry into the country. For employment, long-term residence, education or any other activity requiring a permit, the relevant residence, work or study permit must be obtained separately.
  • The passenger may be required to explain the purpose of travel and whether entry conditions are met at border control. The immigration officer may inspect the passenger, conduct an interview, and deny entry if it is determined that entry conditions are not met.
  • The number of blank pages required in the passport is not definitively specified in the central official source. A detailed central checklist applicable to all visa-free passengers regarding damaged passport, machine-readable passport, biometric passport, return ticket, accommodation document, bank statement, minimum financial sufficiency amount, travel health insurance and vaccination certificate has not been published.

E-Visa Application Requirements

  • The application is made online through Malawi’s official e-Visa portal. New users must create an account with a valid email address, log in to their account, and complete the electronic application form.
  • The applicant must accurately transfer to the form the information on the passport page containing identity details. Travel dates, purpose of travel, travel document to be used, and other journey details are also entered into the system. The passport used in the application must also be used when entering Malawi. If traveling with a different passport, the information on the e-Visa will not match the travel document.
  • After selecting citizenship, visa type, travel document type, purpose of travel, expected date of entry, and expected date of exit on the portal, personalized eligibility and document information is generated. The document list may vary for travel purposes such as business, family visit, medical travel, religious purpose, education and tourism. Documents not shown in the personalized list should not be considered a universal requirement for all applicants.
  • Documents such as passport, photograph and, when required, residence permit must be uploaded as scanned files. Document photos taken with a camera or phone are not accepted. Which pages of the passport to scan, number of photographs, photo dimensions, background color, date taken, file format and file size are not definitively specified in the central official source.
  • Whether a residence permit, invitation letter, hotel reservation, flight reservation, bank statement, employment certificate, student certificate, company documents, medical treatment certificate or sponsor documents are required is determined by the system based on the applicant’s selected citizenship, travel document, visa type and purpose of travel. A single universal supporting document list applicable to all applicants has not been published.
  • The number of months the bank statement must cover and the minimum amount to be in the account are not definitively specified in the central official source. The requirement for travel health insurance and the minimum coverage amount are also not definitively specified in the central official source.
  • For a minor applicant, the parent or legal guardian must complete and sign the official consent form. The form includes the child’s name, date of birth, passport number and relationship to the child. If the person giving consent is not a biological parent, a document proving legal guardianship must be attached.
  • After the application is completed, the visa fee and any applicable processing or service fee are paid online. Payment is made by Visa or Mastercard, whether credit or debit card, in US dollars. Fees for rejected applications are not refunded.
  • The transit e-Visa fee is 50 USD, the six-month multiple-entry e-Visa fee is 150 USD, and the 12-month multiple-entry e-Visa fee is 250 USD. For a single-entry e-Visa, 50 USD is published on the official e-Visa FAQ page, while 75 USD is published on the Immigration Department’s central fee page. Therefore, the single-entry e-Visa fee is not definitively specified in the central official source. The current amount displayed by the portal at the payment stage should be checked.
  • E-Visa applications are normally processed within three business days. No separate minimum period for how far in advance the application must be made before travel has been published. The passenger must not travel to Malawi before receiving the e-Visa approval.
  • When the application is approved, the approval letter can be downloaded from the applicant’s e-Visa account and is also accessible via email notification. The approval document must be downloaded and printed, and presented at passport control upon entry into Malawi. Obtaining a copy of the e-Visa approval letter before travel is mandatory.
  • A single-entry visa is valid for three months from the date of issuance and can be used once. Multiple-entry visas may be valid for six or 12 months and can be used for multiple entries within the validity period. The validity period of the e-Visa begins on the date of issuance.
  • The validity period of the visa is not the same as the number of days allowed to stay in the country. The visa provides permission to request entry into the country; the final entry and duration of stay are subject to the assessment of the immigration officer at the border.
  • The e-Visa does not replace a work or residence permit. Persons wishing to work, reside or carry out any commercial activity requiring a permit in Malawi must complete the relevant permit process separately.
  • Submitting a complete application does not guarantee that a visa will be issued or that entry into the country will be granted. The Immigration Department may reject the application and reserves the right not to disclose the reason for rejection. A new application may be submitted for a rejected application; the fee for the previous application is not refunded.

Visa on Arrival Requirements

  • The visa on arrival facility is available at Malawi’s designated entry points for eligible passengers under the official announcement that entered into force on 24 February 2026. Eligibility for visa on arrival varies according to the passenger’s nationality and official classification.
  • Passengers eligible for visa on arrival are not required to obtain an e-Visa before travel. However, it is recommended to apply through the official e-Visa portal before travel in order to reduce processing time at the border and the risk of delays.
  • Issuance of a visa on arrival is not automatic. The passenger must meet standard entry conditions and pass immigration control at the border. The immigration officer may examine the passenger’s documents, purpose of travel and entry eligibility, and may refuse the visa or entry request if it is determined that conditions are not met.
  • The entry points where visa on arrival can be used are defined as “designated entry points,” but the complete list of these points has not been published in the central announcement.
  • A detailed central checklist applicable to all passengers regarding minimum passport validity, number of blank pages, photograph, flight ticket, accommodation proof, invitation letter, financial sufficiency, bank statement, travel health insurance and vaccination certificate has not been published for visa on arrival.
  • The fee for visa on arrival, accepted payment method, processing time, maximum permitted stay, and whether it can be issued as single or multiple entry are not definitively specified in the central official source.

Transit Visa Requirements

  • A transit visa is issued for passages through Malawi en route to another country. The transit visa is valid for a maximum period of seven days and can be used only once.
  • The transit visa application is made through the official e-Visa portal. The applicant must create an account, complete the electronic form, enter passport details and travel details, and upload their photograph and other documents required by the system as scanned files.
  • The passport used in the application must also be used for the transit journey through Malawi. Documents such as passport, photograph and, where applicable, residence permit must be uploaded as scanned documents, not as camera images.
  • Whether a visa for the final destination country, residence permit, onward flight ticket or documents showing continuation of travel will be requested from which applicants depends on the personalized list generated by the portal after selecting citizenship, travel document, purpose of travel and travel dates. A detailed central checklist applicable to all transit passengers for these documents has not been published.
  • The transit visa fee is 50 USD. Payment is made online, in US dollars, by Visa or Mastercard credit or debit card. The fee is not refunded if the application is rejected.
  • Transit e-Visa applications are normally processed within three business days. A mandatory period, whether longer or shorter, for how far in advance the application must be made before the journey is not definitively specified in the central official source.
  • After the application is approved, the transit e-Visa approval letter must be downloaded, printed and presented at passport control at the entry point. The passenger must not commence travel to Malawi before obtaining the approval document.
  • For transit visa, passport validity, number of blank pages, photo dimensions, travel health insurance and financial sufficiency amount are not definitively specified in the central official source.
Population
22,785,535(2026 est.)
Official language
English
Government type
Presidential republic
Continent
Africa
Capital
Lilongwe
Currency
Malawian kwacha
Area
118,484 km²
Phone code
+265

Malawi: Key Destinations

Lilongwe, the capital, serves as the primary gateway with its international airport. Blantyre, the commercial center, is another key entry point for visitors.

Lake Malawi dominates the landscape with its clear waters and islands such as Likoma. Wildlife reserves like Liwonde and the Nyika Plateau attract nature enthusiasts.

Travelers typically begin in Lilongwe or Blantyre before heading to the lake or northern highlands. Overland routes connect Malawi with Zambia and Tanzania for extended trips.