Local Laws

CRIMINAL PENALTIES: While you are traveling in Malawi, you are subject to its laws. Foreign laws and legal systems can be vastly different from our own. In some places, you may be taken in for questioning if you don’t have your passport with you. It is illegal to take pictures of certain government structures. Often, these sites are not clearly marked and the first notification that a tourist would receive is a police officer demanding his/her camera memory card, film, and/or camera. In some places, driving under the influence could land you immediately in jail. These criminal penalties will vary from country to country.

There are also some things that might be legal in Malawi, but still illegal in the United States. You can be prosecuted in the United States for engaging in sexual conduct with children or using or disseminating child pornography in a foreign country regardless of the legality of these activities under that country’s laws. Counterfeit and pirated goods are illegal in the United States and if you purchase them in a foreign country, you may be breaking local law as well.

Arrest notifications in host country: While some countries will automatically notify the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate if a U.S. citizen is detained or arrested in a foreign country, that might not always be the case. To ensure that the United States is aware of your circumstances, request that the police and prison officials notify the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate as soon as you are arrested or detained overseas.

SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES: Even in the most serene settings, wild animals can pose a threat to life and safety. Be sure to observe local or park regulations and heed all instructions given by tour guides.

Credit cards are not commonly accepted outside of major cities. There are a limited number of ATMs in Malawi that accept Visa, MasterCard, and international ATM cards.

Dress codes against short skirts on women and long hair on men no longer exist, but travelers may wish to dress modestly, especially when visiting remote areas.

WOMEN TRAVELER INFORMATION: If you are a woman traveling abroad, please review our travel tips for Women Travelers.

LGBT RIGHTS: Same-sex consensual relations are criminalized in Malawi, with males receiving penalties of up to fourteen years of hard labor for men and females up to five years of imprisonment for women. There is increasing space in public conversation regarding LGBT issues, and these laws have not been actively enforced for more than two years, but there are no plans at this time to repeal these laws. For further information on Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) travel, please read our Information for LGBT Travelers page.

ACCESSIBILITY: While in Malawi, individuals with disabilities may find accessibility and accommodation very different from what you find in the United States. There is no legislation that mandates access to transportation, public buildings, or communications for people with disabilities. Some modern buildings may have wheelchair accessible entrances. Generally, public transportation is not accessible for travelers with disabilities.