Malawi visa and entry requirementse-Visa — Single Entry
- Fee
- 50 USD
- Processing
- up to 5 days
- Entries
- single
Payable online and non-refundable. The eVisa portal's FAQ lists a transit visa at USD 50, a six-month multiple-entry visa at USD 150 and a twelve-month one at USD 250.
Malawi visa and entry requirements
A public notice on Malawi's official eVisa portal, effective 24 February 2026, says nationals of Category Two countries — a list that includes the United States, the United Kingdom and EU states such as France and Germany — are eligible to obtain a visa on arrival at all designated ports of entry, while nationals of Category One countries must obtain a visa or prior authorization before departure. The government strongly encourages travellers to apply before departure through evisa.gov.mw.
Every fact on this page verified on or after: Oct 3, 2026· How this site works
Check requirements for your passport
Requirements differ by nationality. Select your passport above, or scan the full table below.
Visas & entry authorisations
e-Visa — Multiple Entry, 6 months
- Fee
- 150 USD
- Processing
- up to 5 days
- Validity
- 180 days
- Entries
- multiple
Six-month multiple-entry visa, payable online and non-refundable; the eVisa portal's FAQ lists a twelve-month multiple-entry visa at USD 250.
Visa on arrival (single entry)
- Fee
- 50 USD
- Processing
- —
- Entries
- single
The UK government says single or multiple entry visas can be obtained on arrival and advises bringing US dollars in cash for payment: USD 50 for a single-entry visa, USD 150 for a 6-month multiple entry visa and USD 250 for a one-year multiple entry visa. No Malawi government page we could read gives a separate on-arrival fee.
Extend your stay
- Fee
- Not published
- Processing
- —
Entry requirements
Passport validity
The UK government says your passport must have an expiry date at least 6 months after the day you arrive in Malawi.
At least 2 blank pages required. Compare every country
Vaccinations
Conditional- Yellow fever (International Certificate of Vaccination (yellow card)) — The UK government says you must have a yellow fever vaccination certificate if you are coming from a country listed as a transmission risk. WHO's country list says proof of vaccination is required for travellers aged 1 year or over arriving from countries with risk of yellow fever transmission, and for travellers who transited for more than 12 hours through an airport of such a country.
Travel insurance
Not officially statedNo official source we could read states a travel insurance requirement for Malawi. The UK government advises having adequate travel health insurance and accessible funds to cover the cost of any medical treatment abroad, medical evacuation and repatriation.
Verified Oct 4, 2026 · Source: gov.uk (opens in a new tab)
Onward or return ticket
Not officially statedNo official source we could read states an onward or return ticket requirement for Malawi.
Verified Oct 9, 2026 · Source: evisa.gov.mw (opens in a new tab)
Proof of funds
Not officially statedNo official source we could read states a proof-of-funds requirement or amount for Malawi.
Verified Oct 7, 2026 · Source: evisa.gov.mw (opens in a new tab)
Arrival cards & declarations
Required- Traveller Health Check form — The UK government says Malawi's Ministry of Health and Sanitation requires arriving passengers to complete a Traveller Health Check form, which can be accessed on arrival through a QR code or completed in advance. The form asks where you will enter Malawi, what day you will arrive and which countries you visited in the last 21 days. (on arrival via qr code, or online up to 2 days before arrival) poe.health.gov.mw (opens in a new tab)
Staying past your permitted stay
The Government of Canada says you may be fined on departure if you overstay without proper authorization. It says that to extend your stay, you should contact Malawi's Department of Immigration and Citizenship.
Customs & currency
No Malawian source we could read states a currency rule. The US State Department says you must declare all foreign currency when entering Malawi, no matter the amount, and that USD 5,000 is the maximum amount of foreign currency with which travellers may exit the country; funds above that amount not declared on arrival may be confiscated.
- Canada's travel advice says it is illegal to import and export drugs, pornographic material and ivory, that you must have a licence to import firearms and munitions for hunting, and that it is illegal to purchase or export uncut precious stones.
- Canada's travel advice says you must declare all foreign currencies upon arrival and departure in Malawi, and that local authorities may detain you or confiscate your passport if you do not comply.
Verified Oct 4, 2026 · Source: travel.state.gov (opens in a new tab) · archived copy May 18, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
Yellow fever certificate
The UK government says you must have a yellow fever vaccination certificate if you are coming from a country listed as a transmission risk. WHO's country list says proof of vaccination is required for travellers aged 1 year or over arriving from countries with risk of yellow fever transmission, and for travellers who transited for more than 12 hours through an airport of such a country.
The 42 countries WHO lists as a yellow fever risk
Requirements normally count any country you have been in shortly before arrival, not only where you boarded.
- Angola
- Argentina — Misiones and Corrientes Provinces
- Benin
- Bolivia
- Brazil
- Burkina Faso
- Burundi
- Cameroon
- Central African Republic
- Chad
- Colombia
- Côte d'Ivoire
- Democratic Republic of the Congo
- Ecuador
- Equatorial Guinea
- Ethiopia
- French Guiana
- Gabon
- Gambia
- Ghana
- Guinea
- Guinea-Bissau
- Guyana
- Kenya
- Liberia
- Mali
- Mauritania
- Niger
- Nigeria
- Panama
- Paraguay
- Peru
- Republic of the Congo
- Senegal
- Sierra Leone
- South Sudan
- Sudan
- Suriname
- Togo
- Trinidad and Tobago
- Uganda
- Venezuela
International Health Regulations (2005), Article 36 and Annex 7; WHO International Travel and Health, Annex 1, 18 November 2022 (revised 3 January 2023)
Country in a nutshell
- Currency
- Malawian kwacha (MWK, MK)
- Cards & payments
- Canada's travel advice says US dollars are widely accepted, that you should carry enough currency as credit and debit cards are not widely accepted outside tourist establishments, and that you must declare all foreign currencies upon arrival and departure.
- Safety — Exercise caution
- The UK government says there is a risk of mugging and bag-snatching, that most thefts from tourists take place around main bus stations in urban areas, and that there are occasional reports of kidnappings for ransom. It tells drivers to always wear a seatbelt and avoid travelling after dark.Verified Oct 3, 2026 · Source: gov.uk (opens in a new tab)
- Power plugs
- G · 230V 50Hz
- Emergency numbers
- Police: 997 · Ambulance: 998 · Fire: 999
- Languages
- English, Chichewa
- Time zone
- UTC+2
- International Driving Permit
Malawi is a party to the 1949 Geneva Convention on Road Traffic (UN Treaty Collection). The UK government says that with an international driving permit (IDP) you can drive for up to one year; Canada's travel advice says you should carry an international driving permit.
Verified Oct 3, 2026 · Source: treaties.un.org (opens in a new tab) · Convention on Road Traffic Compare every country- Tap water
- not for drinking. Use bottled
Best time to visit
No official source we could read gives seasonal guidance. Canada's travel advice and the UK government say the rainy season runs from November to April; the UK says cyclones and floods are common then and often cause landslides that close roads, and Canada says secondary roads may become impassable due to mudslides and landslides.
Tips & warnings
TravelHealthPro (the UK's NaTHNaC) says there is a risk of schistosomiasis in Malawi and that all travellers should avoid wading, swimming or bathing in fresh water.
TravelHealthPro (the UK's NaTHNaC) says there is a high risk of malaria in Malawi and recommends atovaquone/proguanil, doxycycline or mefloquine, and says travellers should take mosquito bite avoidance measures.
Canada's travel advice says US dollars are widely accepted and that you must declare all foreign currencies upon arrival and departure in Malawi.
The UK government says there are frequent fuel shortages in Malawi, often with long queues, and tells travellers not to assume fuel will be available on their route and to plan ahead to make sure they can reach their destination.
Visa requirements by nationality
| Passports | Visas & entry authorisations | Max stay |
|---|---|---|
| Afghanistan | eVisa | — |
| Albania | Visa on arrival | — |
| Algeria | eVisa | — |
| Andorra | Visa on arrival | — |
| Antigua and Barbuda | Visa-free | — |
| Argentina | Visa on arrival | — |
| Armenia | Visa on arrival | — |
| Australia | Visa on arrival | — |
| Austria | Visa on arrival | — |
| Azerbaijan | Visa on arrival | — |
| Bahamas | Visa-free | — |
| Bahrain | Visa on arrival | — |
| Bangladesh | eVisa | — |
| Barbados | Visa-free | — |
| Belarus | Visa on arrival | — |
| Belgium | Visa on arrival | — |
| Belize | Visa-free | — |
| Benin | Visa-free | — |
| Bhutan | Visa on arrival | — |
| Bolivia | Visa on arrival | — |
| Bosnia and Herzegovina | Visa on arrival | — |
| Brazil | Visa on arrival | — |
| Brunei | Visa on arrival | — |
| Bulgaria | Visa on arrival | — |
| Burkina Faso | eVisa | — |
| Burundi | eVisa | — |
| Cabo Verde | Visa on arrival | — |
| Cambodia | Visa on arrival | — |
| Cameroon | eVisa | — |
| Canada | Visa on arrival | — |
| Central African Republic | eVisa | — |
| Chad | eVisa | — |
| Chile | Visa on arrival | — |
| China | eVisa | — |
| Colombia | Visa on arrival | — |
| Comoros | Visa on arrival | — |
| Costa Rica | Visa on arrival | — |
| Côte d'Ivoire | Visa on arrival | — |
| Croatia | Visa on arrival | — |
| Cuba | Visa on arrival | — |
| Cyprus | Visa on arrival | — |
| Czechia | Visa on arrival | — |
| Democratic Republic of the Congo | eVisa | — |
| Denmark | Visa on arrival | — |
| Djibouti | eVisa | — |
| Dominica | Visa-free | — |
| Dominican Republic | eVisa | — |
| Ecuador | Visa-free | — |
| Egypt | eVisa | — |
| El Salvador | Visa on arrival | — |
| Equatorial Guinea | Visa on arrival | — |
| Eritrea | eVisa | — |
| Estonia | Visa on arrival | — |
| Ethiopia | eVisa | — |
| Fiji | Visa-free | — |
| Finland | Visa on arrival | — |
| France | Visa on arrival | — |
| Gabon | Visa on arrival | — |
| Gambia | Visa-free | — |
| Georgia | Visa on arrival | — |
| Germany | Visa on arrival | — |
| Ghana | Visa-free | — |
| Greece | Visa on arrival | — |
| Grenada | Visa-free | — |
| Guatemala | Visa on arrival | — |
| Guinea | Visa on arrival | — |
| Guinea-Bissau | Visa on arrival | — |
| Guyana | Visa on arrival | — |
| Haiti | Visa-free | — |
| Honduras | Visa on arrival | — |
| Hong Kong | Visa-free | — |
| Hungary | Visa on arrival | — |
| Iceland | Visa on arrival | — |
| India | eVisa | — |
| Indonesia | Visa on arrival | — |
| Iran | eVisa | — |
| Iraq | eVisa | — |
| Ireland | Visa on arrival | — |
| Israel | Visa on arrival | — |
| Italy | Visa on arrival | — |
| Jamaica | Visa-free | — |
| Japan | Visa on arrival | — |
| Jordan | Visa on arrival | — |
| Kazakhstan | eVisa | — |
| Kiribati | Visa-free | — |
| Kosovo | Visa on arrival | — |
| Kuwait | Visa on arrival | — |
| Kyrgyzstan | Visa on arrival | — |
| Laos | Visa on arrival | — |
| Latvia | Visa on arrival | — |
| Lebanon | eVisa | — |
| Liberia | eVisa | — |
| Libya | eVisa | — |
| Liechtenstein | Visa on arrival | — |
| Lithuania | Visa on arrival | — |
| Luxembourg | Visa on arrival | — |
| Macau | Visa on arrival | — |
| Madagascar | Visa on arrival | — |
| Malawi | Free movement | — |
| Malaysia | Visa-free | — |
| Maldives | Visa on arrival | — |
| Mali | eVisa | — |
| Malta | Visa on arrival | — |
| Marshall Islands | Visa on arrival | — |
| Mauritania | eVisa | — |
| Mexico | Visa on arrival | — |
| Micronesia | Visa on arrival | — |
| Moldova | Visa on arrival | — |
| Monaco | Visa on arrival | — |
| Mongolia | Visa on arrival | — |
| Montenegro | Visa on arrival | — |
| Morocco | eVisa | — |
| Myanmar | Visa on arrival | — |
| Nauru | eVisa | — |
| Nepal | eVisa | — |
| Netherlands | Visa on arrival | — |
| New Zealand | Visa on arrival | — |
| Nicaragua | Visa on arrival | — |
| Niger | eVisa | — |
| Nigeria | eVisa | — |
| North Korea | Visa on arrival | — |
| North Macedonia | Visa on arrival | — |
| Norway | Visa on arrival | — |
| Oman | eVisa | — |
| Pakistan | eVisa | — |
| Palau | Visa on arrival | — |
| Palestine | eVisa | — |
| Panama | Visa on arrival | — |
| Papua New Guinea | Visa on arrival | — |
| Paraguay | Visa on arrival | — |
| Peru | Visa on arrival | — |
| Philippines | Visa-free | — |
| Poland | Visa on arrival | — |
| Portugal | Visa on arrival | — |
| Qatar | eVisa | — |
| Republic of the Congo | Visa on arrival | — |
| Romania | Visa on arrival | — |
| Russia | eVisa | — |
| Saint Kitts and Nevis | eVisa | — |
| Saint Lucia | Visa-free | — |
| Saint Vincent and the Grenadines | Visa-free | — |
| Samoa | eVisa | — |
| San Marino | Visa on arrival | — |
| São Tomé and Príncipe | Visa on arrival | — |
| Saudi Arabia | Visa on arrival | — |
| Senegal | eVisa | — |
| Serbia | eVisa | — |
| Sierra Leone | Visa on arrival | — |
| Singapore | Visa-free | — |
| Slovakia | Visa on arrival | — |
| Slovenia | Visa on arrival | — |
| Solomon Islands | Visa on arrival | — |
| Somalia | eVisa | — |
| South Korea | Visa on arrival | — |
| South Sudan | eVisa | — |
| Spain | Visa on arrival | — |
| Sri Lanka | eVisa | — |
| Sudan | eVisa | — |
| Suriname | Visa on arrival | — |
| Sweden | Visa on arrival | — |
| Switzerland | Visa on arrival | — |
| Syria | eVisa | — |
| Taiwan | Visa on arrival | — |
| Tajikistan | eVisa | — |
| Thailand | Visa on arrival | — |
| Timor-Leste | Visa on arrival | — |
| Togo | eVisa | — |
| Tonga | Visa on arrival | — |
| Trinidad and Tobago | Visa-free | — |
| Tunisia | eVisa | — |
| Turkey | eVisa | — |
| Turkmenistan | eVisa | — |
| Tuvalu | eVisa | — |
| Ukraine | eVisa | — |
| United Arab Emirates | Visa on arrival | — |
| United Kingdom | Visa on arrival | — |
| United States | Visa on arrival | — |
| Uruguay | Visa on arrival | — |
| Uzbekistan | eVisa | — |
| Vanuatu | Visa-free | — |
| Vatican City | Visa on arrival | — |
| Venezuela | Visa on arrival | — |
| Vietnam | Visa on arrival | — |
| Yemen | eVisa | — |
Afghanistan
Albania
Algeria
Andorra
Antigua and Barbuda
Argentina
Armenia
Australia
Austria
Azerbaijan
Bahamas
Bahrain
Bangladesh
Barbados
Belarus
Belgium
Belize
Benin
Bhutan
Bolivia
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Brazil
Brunei
Bulgaria
Burkina Faso
Burundi
Cabo Verde
Cambodia
Cameroon
Canada
Central African Republic
Chad
Chile
China
Colombia
Comoros
Costa Rica
Côte d'Ivoire
Croatia
Cuba
Cyprus
Czechia
Democratic Republic of the Congo
Denmark
Djibouti
Dominica
Dominican Republic
Ecuador
Egypt
El Salvador
Equatorial Guinea
Eritrea
Estonia
Ethiopia
Fiji
Finland
France
Gabon
Gambia
Georgia
Germany
Ghana
Greece
Grenada
Guatemala
Guinea
Guinea-Bissau
Guyana
Haiti
Honduras
Hong Kong
Hungary
Iceland
India
Indonesia
Iran
Iraq
Ireland
Israel
Italy
Jamaica
Japan
Jordan
Kazakhstan
Kiribati
Kosovo
Kuwait
Kyrgyzstan
Laos
Latvia
Lebanon
Liberia
Libya
Liechtenstein
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Macau
Madagascar
Malaysia
Maldives
Mali
Malta
Marshall Islands
Mauritania
Mexico
Micronesia
Moldova
Monaco
Mongolia
Montenegro
Morocco
Myanmar
Nauru
Nepal
Netherlands
New Zealand
Nicaragua
Niger
Nigeria
North Korea
North Macedonia
Norway
Oman
Pakistan
Palau
Palestine
Panama
Papua New Guinea
Paraguay
Peru
Philippines
Poland
Portugal
Qatar
Republic of the Congo
Romania
Russia
Saint Kitts and Nevis
Saint Lucia
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
Samoa
San Marino
São Tomé and Príncipe
Saudi Arabia
Senegal
Serbia
Sierra Leone
Singapore
Slovakia
Slovenia
Solomon Islands
Somalia
South Korea
South Sudan
Spain
Sri Lanka
Sudan
Suriname
Sweden
Switzerland
Syria
Taiwan
Tajikistan
Thailand
Timor-Leste
Togo
Tonga
Trinidad and Tobago
Tunisia
Turkey
Turkmenistan
Tuvalu
Ukraine
United Arab Emirates
United Kingdom
United States
Uruguay
Uzbekistan
Vanuatu
Vatican City
Venezuela
Vietnam
YemenStay lengths are for ordinary tourist visits. Click a nationality for its full guide.
No official page we read states the rule for 15 nationalities, so the table leaves them out: Angola, Botswana, Eswatini, Kenya, Lesotho, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Rwanda, Seychelles, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
Neighboring countries
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a visa for Malawi?
It depends on your nationality. Malawi's Department of Immigration and Citizenship Services lists Category Two countries — among them the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, France and Germany — whose nationals can obtain a visa on arrival (the UK government advises bringing US dollars in cash: USD 50 for a single-entry visa), and Category One countries, such as India, China and Nigeria, whose nationals must obtain a visa or prior authorization before departure. Visa applications can be made online at evisa.gov.mw.
How long can I stay in Malawi and can I extend?
No official source we could read states how many days a single-entry visa allows. Canada's travel advice says that if you wish to extend your stay you should contact Malawi's Department of Immigration and Citizenship, and that you may be fined upon departure if you overstay without proper authorization.
Can I still get a Malawi visa on arrival?
Yes, for nationals of the Category Two countries, which include the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada and Australia: a public notice effective 24 February 2026 makes them eligible for a visa on arrival at all designated ports of entry, and advises airlines to let them board without a visa. The UK government advises bringing US dollars in cash for payment. Nationals of Category One countries must obtain a visa or prior authorization before departure, and travellers are strongly encouraged to apply before departure through evisa.gov.mw.
Do I need a yellow fever certificate for Malawi?
The UK government says you must have a yellow fever vaccination certificate if you are coming from a country listed as a transmission risk. WHO's country list says proof of vaccination is required for travellers aged 1 year or over arriving from countries with risk of yellow fever transmission, and for travellers who transited for more than 12 hours through an airport of such a country.
Is it safe to swim in Lake Malawi?
TravelHealthPro (the UK's NaTHNaC) says there is a risk of schistosomiasis in Malawi and that all travellers should avoid wading, swimming or bathing in fresh water.
Sources & verification
Every fact on this page is compiled from and periodically re-checked against these official sources:
- Department of Immigration and Citizenship Services, Malawi — Visa fees (payable online) (opens in a new tab)
- Government of Canada — Travel advice and advisories: Malawi (opens in a new tab)
- IEC World Plugs (International Electrotechnical Commission) — plug types, voltage and frequency by location (opens in a new tab)
- Malawi Department of Immigration and Citizenship Services — Category One countries (visa before departure) (opens in a new tab)
- Malawi Department of Immigration and Citizenship Services — Category Two countries (visa on arrival), linked from the eVisa portal's public notice of 24 February 2026 (opens in a new tab)
- Malawi Department of Immigration and Citizenship Services — Visa: visa applications must be submitted online on the eVisa website (evisa.gov.mw) from anywhere in the world (opens in a new tab)
- Malawi eVisa portal — FAQs (transit US$50, single entry US$50, 6-month multiple US$150, 12-month multiple US$250) (opens in a new tab)
- Malawi eVisa portal — Public notice (effective 24 February 2026): Category Two nationals eligible for a visa on arrival at all designated ports of entry; Category One nationals must obtain a visa or prior authorization before departure; travellers strongly encouraged to apply in advance; airlines advised to board Category Two nationals without a visa (opens in a new tab)
- Malawi eVisa portal — Visa Eligibility Wizard (single entry) (opens in a new tab)
- Malawi Immigration (Amendment) Regulations, 2026 (Government Notice No. 1, Malawi Gazette Supplement of 2 January 2026), Second Schedule — Visa arrangement; published by the Embassy of the Republic of Malawi in Brussels (opens in a new tab)
- TravelHealthPro (NaTHNaC, for UKHSA) — Malawi: schistosomiasis risk, avoid wading, swimming or bathing in fresh water; high risk of malaria, antimalarials recommended; insect bite avoidance (opens in a new tab)
- U.S. Department of State — Malawi international travel information (opens in a new tab)
- UK FCDO — Malawi travel advice: Getting help (opens in a new tab)
- UK FCDO — Malawi travel advice: warnings (areas where FCDO advises against travel) (opens in a new tab)
- UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office — Malawi safety and security (driving) (opens in a new tab)
- UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office — Malawi travel advice (health) (opens in a new tab)
- UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office — Malawi travel advice: entry requirements (opens in a new tab)
- UK Permanent Committee on Geographical Names — Malawi toponymic factfile (opens in a new tab)
- UN Treaty Collection — Convention on Road Traffic (Geneva, 1949), status of parties (opens in a new tab)
- United Nations — Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Article 13(2) (opens in a new tab)
- WHO — International Travel and Health, country list: vaccination requirements and WHO recommendations (2022) (opens in a new tab)
Something wrong or out of date? Tell us, with the official source