Malawi has officially reintroduced visa requirement for most nationalities, ending a visa waiver policy.
On January 2, 2026, Minister of Homeland Security Peter MUKHITO announced the update of the new immigration rules to travel to Malawi. In a official communiqué, The authorities specify that visas are required for nationals of all countries, with the exception of several nationalities that will remain exempt from visa requirements.
Since the January 3, 2026, Travelers from European countries, Canada, the United States, or the United Kingdom are no longer eligible for the visa waiver that was introduced in 2024.
The new procedures require travelers to:
- Submit a request for electronic visa (e-visa) via the official government website evisa.gov.mw.
- Pay an application fee of 50 USD.
- Provide personal and travel information via an online form
Only citizens of countries belonging to the Malawi regional bloc, and having similar reciprocal policies, remain exempt from this new measure.
Which citizens are exempt from visa requirements?
Here is the list of all countries whose nationals are not required to obtain a visa To travel to Malawi: Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Benin, Dominica, Ecuador, Fiji, Gambia, Ghana, Grenada, Haiti, Hong Kong, Jamaica, Kiribati, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago, and Vanuatu.
What travelers need to remember
These new measures simplify and speed up border management, with electronic visas obtained prior to arrival in the country. This travel formality allows travelers to simplify the immigration process.
Here is some important information to consider in organizing your trip, particularly when booking your accommodation in Malawi. Since December 2025, the country has required foreign visitors to pay for their hotel stays in advance in stable currencies (US dollars, euros, or British pounds).
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