Immigration Info - Malawi

Immigration information for Malawi

The Department of Immigration and Citizenship Services’ is responsible for migration management in Malawi. It is headquartered in Blantyre and has four operational regions namely: Southern, Central, Northern and Eastern.

The department's services include issuance of transit visas and tourist visas. The former is strictly issued to persons intending to transit through Malawi within a period of seven days while the latter is strictly issued to persons intending to enter Malawi for visits, residence or business. The department also issues exit and entry permits at the border to those exiting or entering Malawi.

Visa information

Visa arrangements in Malawi are on a reciprocal basis. As such the list of exemption changes from time to time. Visa fees are payable in US Dollars (USD). 

Countries and regions that do not require a visa and individuals that are issued with a gratis visa to enter Malawi include:

• Nationals from the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) countries, except for those countries that subject Malawians to a Visa requirement within SADC;
• Nationals from the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) countries, except for those countries that subject Malawians to a Visa requirement within COMESA;
• All Diplomatic and Service/Official Passport holders.

There are five types of visas in Malawi. These are:

 

• Tourist Visa: this is issued to persons intending to enter Malawi for visits, residence or business.
• Official Visa: this is issued to a person holding an official or a service passport on official business visit to Malawi.
• Transit Visa: this is issued to persons intending to transit through Malawi within a period of seven days.
• Diplomatic Visa: this is issued to a person holding a diplomatic passport for official visit or mission to Malawi.
• Courtesy Visa: this is issued to a person visiting Malawi with an invitation sent by the Government but is not entitled to a diplomatic passport. It enables him/her to enter Malawi for paying courtesy calls.

Applying for a Visa

One can apply for a Visa in person at the Malawi foreign missions or through a sponsor in Malawi. An online facility to process an e-Visa is available at evisa.gov.mw. Requirements for visa applications depend on which category one is applying under. In all cases the applicant will need to fill in an application form.

You will also need: a valid passport or travel document (for at least 6 months), the visa fee which is only paid after approval; and supporting documents relevant to your application. You can apply at Malawi’s foreign mission or at regional offices in Mzuzu and Lilongwe and the Immigration Department headquarters in Blantyre.