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Visa Types

Visa Types & Categories to Apply for Malawi

You can realize your planned trip to Malawi by obtaining a Malawi visa. Foreign nationals can apply for Malawi short-term visas (E-visa, Visa on Arrival) for temporary reasons (tourism, business, cultural, and other short-term purposes).

Malawi visa types are followings:

  • Tourist Visa (single-entry and multiple-entries)
  • Courtesy Visa (single-entry and multiple-entries)
  • Diplomatic Visa (single-entry and multiple-entries)
  • Official Visa (single-entry and multiple-entries)
  • Transit Visa

*All nationals can apply for the above-mentioned visas of Malawi online (E-visa).

Malawi Visa on Arrival

Nationals of all countries except the following countries/territories can get a visa on arrival to Malawi:

 

Afghanistan

China

India

Morocco

Rwanda

Togo

Algeria

Colombia

Iran

Niger

Senegal

Tunisia

Angola

DR Congo

Iraq

Nepal

Serbia

Turkey

Bangladesh

Cuba

Kazakhstan

Nigeria

Somalia

Turkmenistan

Burkina Faso

Djibouti

Lebanon

Oman

South Sudan

Ukraine

Burundi

Egypt

Liberia

Pakistan

Sri Lanka

United Arab Emirates

Cameroon

Ethiopia

Libya

Palestine

Sudan

Uzbekistan

Central African Republic

Eritrea

Mali

Qatar

Syria

Yemen

Chad

Ghana

Mauritania

Russia

Tajikistan

 

 

*Above-mentioned countries’ nationals can also apply for Malawi e-Visa beforehand. In any case, the Malawi government advises foreigners to obtain an e-Visa beforehand to avoid some problems/misunderstandings on arrival.

 
Required Documents for Malawi Visa on Arrival

 

1. Passport

  • Validity minimum of six months beyond the date of your arrival to Malawi.
  • Signed by bearer
  • Passport not older than 10 years (issued in the last 10 years)
  • At least two free “visa pages.”
  • Undamaged pictures securely affixed with/to passport

2. Photo

  • A uniform and white background
  • Clear facial features and eyes – not covered by hair or glasses frame
  • Passport size
  • Should not be older than 6 months.

3. Any Supporting Documents Proving Your Purpose of Travel

  • Flight ticket (return) and hotel booking/apartment reservation/invitation letter for tourism purposes
  • Invitation letter for business or private visit purposes
  • Covering letter from the host in Malawi must be signed by the host (if any)
  • Any additional supporting documents

  4. For Minors:

  • Copy of either birth certificate/proof of adoption/custody decree if parents are divorced/death certificate of parent
  • Letter of consent from parent/s or legal guardian/s, if traveling unaccompanied.
  • Passport copy of guardian/parent
  • Document proof of legal guardianship (if not a natural parent)

 

Malawi Visa on Arrival Fee

Malawi Visa on Arrival fee is 50 USD for a single-entry visa and 150-250 USD for a multiple-entry visa (it can slightly vary depending on your country and nationality).

 

Where to Apply for Malawi Visa on Arrival Application?

You will get your visa on arrival at the airport (border).

Malawi e-Visa

Malawi e-Visa

All nationals from all countries can apply for Malawi e-Visa.

Malawi e-Visa types are followings:

  • Tourist Visa (single-entry and multiple-entries)
  • Courtesy Visa (single-entry and multiple-entries)
  • Diplomatic Visa (single-entry and multiple-entries)
  • Official Visa (single-entry and multiple-entries)
  • Transit Visa

All above-mentioned visas have below categories (except Transit visa):

  1. 90-days valid, single-entry visa
  2. 90-days valid within 180-days, multiple-entry visa
  3. 90-days valid within 1-year, multiple-entry visa

You can apply for one of these categories as you wish. The fee and validity of the visa vary depending on the category of the visa.

Once your e-visa is ready, it will be sent to your email address.

 

 

Malawi Tourist Visa (e-Visa)

If your purpose of the visit is one of the following: tourism, business, family visit, medical, study, religious – you can apply for a Malawi Tourist visa (e-Visa).

 

Required Documents for Malawi Tourist E-Visa

 

1. Passport

  • Validity minimum of six months beyond the date of your arrival to Malawi.
  • Signed by bearer
  • Passport not older than 10 years (issued in the last 10 years)
  • At least two free “visa pages.”
  • Undamaged pictures securely affixed with/to passport

2. Photo

  • A uniform and white background
  • Clear facial features and eyes – not covered by hair or glasses frame
  • Passport size
  • Should not be older than 6 months.

3. Supporting Documents Related to Your Purpose of Visit

    For tourism:

  • Covering letter from the host in Malawi must be signed by the host (if any)
  • Covering letter from Agent or accommodation booking (must be signed by agent)

    For business:

  • A covering letter from the host in Malawi must be signed by the host.
  • Business Registration Certificate of the host or Certificate of Incorporation in Malawi

    For family visit:

  • A covering letter from the host in Malawi must be signed by the host.
  • Immigration Residence Permit of the host or passport copy of the host, if he/she is Malawian

   For study:

  • A covering letter from the host in Malawi must be signed by the host.
  • Letter from the educational establishment in Malawi (must be signed by the establishment)

   For medical reasons:

  • A covering letter from the host in Malawi must be signed by the host.
  • Reference letter from the hospital in Malawi (must be signed by the establishment)

    For religious purposes:

  • Covering letter from the host in Malawi must be signed by the host

4. When You Arrive in Malawi, You must Present also:

  • Printed Malawi e-Visa
  • Travel Itinerary including:
    • Flight reservation
    • Valid (existing) hotel/accommodation booking/reservation with the full address (name, street, city, zip code, contact information, booking ref.)
    • Invitation letter (Cover letter), if any.

 5. For Minors:

  • Copy of either birth certificate/proof of adoption/custody decree if parents are divorced/death certificate of parent
  • Letter of consent from parent/s or legal guardian/s, if traveling unaccompanied.
  • Passport copy of guardian/parent
  • Document proof of legal guardianship (if not a natural parent)

 

Processing Time for Malawi Tourist E-Visa

The average processing time for Malawi Tourist e-Visa is 5 days.

 

Malawi Tourist E-Visa Application Fee

Malawi Tourist e-Visa fee is:

90-days valid Visa

180-days valid Visa

1-year valid Visa

50 USD

150 USD

250 USD

 

 

 
 
Where to Apply for Malawi Tourist E-Visa Application?

You will apply to Malawi Tourist e-Visa online. You can apply for an e-Visa through this website.

 

 

Malawi Transit Visa (e-Visa)

If you want to transit through Malawi, you can apply for a Malawi Transit visa (e-Visa).

Malawi Transit visa’s validity is 90 days.

 

Required Documents for Malawi Transit E-Visa

 

1. Passport

  • Validity minimum of six months beyond the date of your transiting through Malawi.
  • Signed by bearer
  • Passport not older than 10 years (issued in the last 10 years)
  • At least two free “visa pages.”
  • Undamaged pictures securely affixed with/to passport

2. Photo

  • A uniform and white background
  • Clear facial features and eyes – not covered by hair or glasses frame
  • Passport size
  • Should not be older than 6 months.

3. Resident Permit/Visa to the Destination Country (if any)

4. Onward Ticket to the Destination Country

5. When You Arrive in Malawi, You must Present also:

  • Printed Malawi e-Visa
  • Travel Itinerary including:
    • Onward ticket
    • Valid (existing) hotel/accommodation booking/reservation with the full address, if any (name, street, city, zip code, contact information, booking ref.)

  6. For Minors:

  • Copy of either birth certificate/proof of adoption/custody decree if parents are divorced/death certificate of parent
  • Letter of consent from parent/s or legal guardian/s, if traveling unaccompanied.
  • Passport copy of guardian/parent
  • Document proof of legal guardianship (if not a natural parent)

 

Processing Time for Malawi Transit E-Visa

The average processing time for Malawi Transit e-Visa is 5 days.

 

Malawi Transit E-Visa Application Fee

Malawi Transit e-Visa fee is 50 USD for all foreign nationals.

 
Where to Apply for Malawi Transit E-Visa Application?

You will apply to Malawi Transit e-Visa online. You can apply for an e-Visa through this website.

 

 

Malawi Courtesy Visa (e-Visa)

If you have a Service or Official passport and want to travel to Malawi for courtesy purposes, you can apply for a Malawi Courtesy visa (e-Visa).

 

Required Documents for Malawi Courtesy E-Visa

 

1. Passport

  • Validity minimum of six months beyond the date of your arrival to Malawi.
  • Signed by bearer
  • Passport not older than 10 years (issued in the last 10 years)
  • At least two free “visa pages.”
  • Undamaged pictures securely affixed with/to passport

2. Photo

  • A uniform and white background
  • Clear facial features and eyes – not covered by hair or glasses frame
  • 3x4 size

3. Covering Letter from the Host in Malawi (must be signed by the host)

4. When You Arrive in Malawi, You must Present also:

  • Printed Malawi e-Visa
  • Travel Itinerary including:
    • Flight reservation
    • Valid (existing) hotel/accommodation booking/reservation with the full address, if any (name, street, city, zip code, contact information, booking ref.)
    • Invitation letter (covering letter)

 

Processing Time for Malawi Courtesy E-Visa

The average processing time for Malawi Courtesy e-Visa is 5 days.

 

Malawi Courtesy E-Visa Application Fee

Malawi Courtesy e-Visa fee is free of charge for all foreign nationals.

 
Where to Apply for Malawi Courtesy E-Visa Application?

You will apply to Malawi Courtesy e-Visa online. You can apply for an e-Visa through this website.

 

 

Malawi Diplomatic Visa (e-Visa)

If you have a Diplomatic passport and want to travel to Malawi for diplomatic purposes, you can apply for Malawi Diplomatic visa (e-Visa).

 

Required Documents for Malawi Diplomatic E-Visa

 

1. Passport

  • Validity minimum of six months beyond the date of your arrival to Malawi.
  • Signed by bearer
  • Passport not older than 10 years (issued in the last 10 years)
  • At least two free “visa pages.”
  • Undamaged pictures securely affixed with/to passport

2. Photo

  • A uniform and white background
  • Clear facial features and eyes – not covered by hair or glasses frame
  • Passport size
  • Should not be older than 6 months.

3. Covering Letter from the Host in Malawi (must be signed by the host)

4. When You Arrive in Malawi, You must Present also:

  • Printed Malawi e-Visa
  • Travel Itinerary including:
    • Flight reservation
    • Valid (existing) hotel/accommodation booking/reservation with the full address, if any (name, street, city, zip code, contact information, booking ref.)
    • Invitation letter (covering letter)

 

Processing Time for Malawi Diplomatic E-Visa

The average processing time for Malawi Diplomatic e-Visa is 5 days.

 

Malawi Diplomatic E-Visa Application Fee

Malawi Diplomatic e-Visa fee is free of charge for all foreign nationals.

 
Where to Apply for Malawi Diplomatic E-Visa Application?

You will apply to Malawi Diplomatic e-Visa online. You can apply for an e-Visa through this website.

 

 

Malawi Official Visa (e-Visa)

If you have a Service or Official passport and want to travel to Malawi for official purposes, you can apply for a Malawi Official visa (e-Visa).

 

Required Documents for Malawi Official E-Visa

 

1. Passport

  • Validity minimum of six months beyond the date of your arrival to Malawi.
  • Signed by bearer
  • Passport not older than 10 years (issued in the last 10 years)
  • At least two free “visa pages.”
  • Undamaged pictures securely affixed with/to passport

2. Photo

  • A uniform and white background
  • Clear facial features and eyes – not covered by hair or glasses frame
  • Passport size
  • Should not be older than 6 months.

3. Covering Letter from the Host in Malawi (must be signed by the host)

4. When You Arrive in Malawi, You must Present also:

  • Printed Malawi e-Visa
  • Travel Itinerary including:
    • Flight reservation
    • Valid (existing) hotel/accommodation booking/reservation with the full address, if any (name, street, city, zip code, contact information, booking ref.)
    • Invitation letter (covering letter)

 

Processing Time for Malawi Official E-Visa

The average processing time for Malawi Official e-Visa is 5 days.

 

Malawi Official E-Visa Application Fee

Malawi Official e-Visa fee is free of charge for all foreign nationals.

 
Where to Apply for Malawi Official E-Visa Application?

You will apply to Malawi Official e-Visa online. You can apply for an e-Visa through this website.

FAQ

I am from a country whose citizens do not need a visa to enter Malawi. Can I experience any problems at the border, while entering Malawi?

You must meet certain requirements to enter Malawi, even if you are not required a visa:

•          The purpose of your trip to Malawi must be plausible and comprehensible.

•          Your passport should be valid for at least 6 months beyond your arrival date to Malawi.

•          You must be able to finance your own living and travel costs.

•          You must hold a confirmed return flight to prove that you are prepared to leave Malawi before the duration ends.

•          You must not pose a threat to security or public order.

 

How long can I stay in Malawi without a visa?

If you are one of the visa-exempted nationals, you can stay in Malawi for up to 90 days.

Are all nationals eligible for Malawi e-Visa?

All nationals from all the countries are eligible to apply for Malawi e-Visa.

Can I experience any problem with obtaining a visa on arrival despite I am eligible?

You have to present some required documents for obtaining a visa on arrival to Malawi (if your nationality is eligible). In any case, the Malawi government advises foreigners to obtain an e-Visa beforehand for avoiding some problems/misunderstandings on arrival.

Can I get a refusal for my e-Visa application?

Despite it rarely happens, it is possible to get a refusal from Malawi e-Visa application.

Will my fees be refunded if my visa is refused?

All fees are non-refundable and will not be refunded if your visa application is not successful.

How long my passport must be valid for applying for a Malawi visa?

Your passport must be valid for at least 180 days beyond your arrival date to Malawi.