Malawi Visas – Requirements & More

The majority of visitors will require a visa to enter Malawi. While certain nationalities can obtain a visa on arrival, we recommend all travelers obtain a visa prior to their journey.

List of countries exempt from obtaining a Malawi visa

Certain countries do not require a visa to enter Malawi:

Antigua And Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Botswana, Dominica, Fiji, Gambia, Grenada, Hong Kong, China, Israel, Jamaica, Kenya, Kiribati, Lesotho, Malaysia, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Nauru, Northern Ireland, Samoa (Western), Seychelles, South Africa, St. Kitts Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent And The Grenadines, Swaziland, Tanzania, Trinidad And Tobago, Tuvalu, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe

Countries that need to apply for visas well in advance and with prior authorisation

CATEGORY 1

Afghanistan
Algeria
Angola
Bangladesh
Burkina Faso
Burundi
Central Africa Republic
Cameroon
Chad
China
Colombia
Cuba
Democratic Republic of Congo
Djibouti
Egypt
Ethiopia
Eritrea
India
Ghana
Iraq
Iran
Kazakhstan
Lebanon
Liberia
Libya
Mali
Mauritania
Morocco
Niger
Nigeria
Nepal
Osman
Pakistan
Palestinian National Authority
Qatar
Russia
Rwanda
Senegal
Serbia
Sri Lanka
Somalia
Syria
Sudan
South Sudan
Tajikistan
Togo
Tunisia
Turkey
Turkmenistan
Ukraine
Uzbekistan
United Arab Emirates
Yemen

Countries that can obtain a Visa on Arrival or without prior authorisation

CATEGORY 2

Albania
American Samoa
Andorra
Anguilla
Antarctica
Argentina
Armenia
Aruba
Ascension island
Australia
Austria
Azerbaijan
Bahrain
Belarus
Belgium
Benin
Bermuda
Bhutan
Bolivia
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Bouvet island
Brazil
Britain
British Indian Ocean Territory
Brunei
Bulgaria
Canada
Cambodia
Cape Verde
Cayman Island
Chile
Taiwan, China
Christmas Island
Cocos (Keeling) Islands
Colombia
Comoros
Congo, Republic of Brazzaville
Cook Islands
Costa Rica
Ivory Coast
Croatia
Cyprus
Czech Republic
People’s Republic of China
Denmark
Dominican Republic
East Timor Timor-Leste
Ecuador
El Salvador
Equatorial Guinea
Estonia
Falkland Islands
Faroe Islands
Finland
France
French Guiana
French Metropolitan
French Polynesia
French Southern Territories
Gabon
Georgia
Germany
Gibraltar
Greece
Greenland
Guadeloupe
Guam
Guyana
Guatemala
Guernsey
Guinea
Guinea-Bissau
Haiti
Heard and McDonald Islands
Holy See
Honduras
Hungary
Iceland
Indonesia
Ireland
Isle of Man
Italy
Japan
Jersey
Jordan
Korea, Democratic People’s republic.(North Korea)
Korea, Republic of (South Korea)
Kuwait
Kyrgyzstan
Lao, People’s Democratic Republic
Latvia
Liechtenstein
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Madagascar
Macau, China
Macedonia, Republic of
Maldives Island
Malta
Marshall Islands
Martinique
Mayotte
Mexico
Micronesia, Federal States of
Moldova, Republic of
Monaco
Mongolia
Montenegro
Montserrat
Myanmar, Burma
Netherlands
Netherlands Antilles
New Caledonia
New Zealand
Nicaragua
Niue
Norfolk Island
Northern Mariana Islands
Palau
Panama
Papua New Guinea
Paraguay
Peru
Philippines
Pitcairn Island
Poland
Portugal
Puerto Rico
Qatar
Reunion Island
Romania
Sao Tome and Principe
Saudi Arabia
San Marino
Serbia
Singapore
Sierra Leone
Slovakia (Slovak Republic)
Slovenia
Solomon Island
South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands
Saint Helena
Spain
St. Pierre and Miquelon
Suriname
Svalbard and Jan Mayen Islands
Sweden
Switzerland
Thailand
Tibet
Timor-Leste (East Timor)
Tonga
Tokel
Turks and Caicos Islands
United Arab Emirates
United States of America
U.S. Minor Outlying Islands
Uruguay
Vanuatu
Venezuela
Vietnam
Virgin Islands (U.S.)
Wallis and Futuna Islands
Western Sahara

More details here: https://www.immigration.gov.mw/visa/countries-whose-nationals-need-visa-when-coming-to-malawi/

Typical Passport Requirements

Most countries in Africa require a passport with a minimum validity of six months from the date of travel and between 2 – 6 consecutive blank pages. Please verify the exact requirements prior to travel.

General Documents required for obtaining a Malawi tourist visa

Completed visa application form
Passport-size photo
Passport (valid for at least 6 months after expiry date)
Copy of a letter from the applicant’s Organization or invitation letter.
Copy of sponsor’s Residential Status in Malawi (i.e. Permit or Malawi Passport if Malawian)
Pre-Paid Return Envelope addressed to the applicant.

Malawi Visa requirements for US Citizens

US Citizens are eligible to obtain a Malawi visa on arrival without prior authorisation.

Malawi Visa requirements for Indian Citizens

Indian citizens are required to apply for a Malawi visa well in advance from their local Diplomatic Mission. Visa on arrivals are not available for Indian citizens as they require prior authorisation to enter Malawi.