Entry/Exit Requirements

A passport, visa or entry permit, return ticket, and adequate funds are required for entry into Malawi. Effective October 1, 2015, U.S. citizens traveling to Malawi for tourism, transit or business must obtain a visa prior to arriving in Malawi. Contact the Embassy of the Republic of Malawi with questions concerning visa issuance.

Three types of visas are being introduced:

a. A Single-Entry Visa requiring payment of a 100 USD fee when issued by a Malawian embassy or consulate or 75 USD fee when issued within Malawi;

b. A Multiple-Entry Visa valid for 6 or 12 months and requiring payment of a 220 or 300 USD fee, respectively, when issued by a Malawian embassy or consulate, these will require payment of a 150 or 250 USD fee, respectively, when issued within Malawi;

c. A Transit Visa valid for seven days and requiring payment of a 70 USD fee when issued by a Malawian embassy or consulate or 50 USD when issued within Malawi.

Airlines may require travelers to have a Malawian visa before boarding connecting flights to Malawi. Malawi has informed the International Air Transport Association (IATA) that visas may be obtained by travelers upon arrival in Malawi, however it remains unclear whether IATA guidance to airlines will reflect this upon implementation of the new visa requirements as of October 1, 2015.

The Government of Malawi will issue visas within Malawi but procedures for obtaining them have not yet been published.

U.S. citizens are reminded that they are subject to Malawi's laws. Individuals that overstay on their visa, even unknowingly, have been fined, arrested, and deported. For the most up to date information on visa and entry requirements, contact the Embassy of the Republic of Malawi in Washington, D.C. 2408 Massachusetts Ave. NW, Washington, D.C. 20008. You may also visit the Embassy of Malawi’s website. There is also a Malawi consulate in New York City.

Application for a permit extension for an additional 30 days (or less) is MK 5,000.00 (Approx. $14 U.S. dollars)

Application for a second permit extension for an additional 30 days (or less) is MK 5,000.00 (Approx. $14 U.S. dollars)

A permit extension application must be submitted prior to the permit’s expiration date. There is no guarantee the request will be granted.

U.S. citizens wishing to volunteer, study, or conduct research or business for more than 90 days in Malawi are responsible for requesting the correct type of visa/permit from the Malawian embassy or consulate, prior to traveling to Malawi. There is no guarantee that requests for changing one's immigration category (e.g., from visitor permit or tourist visa to Temporary Employment Permit) will be granted. Foreign citizens whose primary purpose of travel is to participate in religious activities (voluntary or paid) should obtain a Temporary Employment Permit (TEP) rather than a visitor’s permit through their sponsoring organization or business.

Malawian immigration authorities have fined, arrested, and deported U.S. citizens who entered Malawi with a tourist visa or on a visitor’s permit and proceeded to conduct other activities inconsistent with their tourist status (e.g., business or volunteer services).

Occasionally, some airlines have required travelers to have a Malawian visa before boarding connecting flights in European airports. Malawian authorities confirm that there is no requirement for obtaining a visitor’s permit for short stays (30 days or less) prior to arrival in Malawi.

According to Malawian law, travelers must declare all foreign currency when entering Malawi, regardless of its purpose or amount. Travelers should only exchange foreign currency at the bank or approved foreign exchange bureaus. Any currency declared at entry may be expatriated without further authorization. With bank approval, an individual may export up to 2000 USD per trip. Otherwise, an individual is not permitted to expropriate currency and it will be confiscated at the point of departure.

There is no risk of yellow fever in Malawi per the CDC’s travel information for Malawi. The government of Malawi requires proof of yellow fever vaccination only if you are arriving from a country with risk of yellow fever. This does not include the U.S. If you are traveling from a country other than the U.S., please review the Center for Disease Control website for a listing of countries with risk of yellow fever virus transmission.  

For travelers transiting South Africa on their way to and from Malawi, the South African government requires proof of yellow fever vaccination at least 14 days prior to arrival in South Africa; those without proof may be turned around at the South African port of entry. For complete entry/exit requirements for South Africa, please see our Country Specific Information for South Africa.

The U.S. Department of State is unaware of any HIV/AIDS entry restrictions for visitors to or foreign residents of Malawi.

Information about dual nationality or the prevention of international child abduction can be found on our website. For further information about customs regulations, please read our Customs Information page.