Malawi Grants Visa-Free Entry for Nationals of 79 Countries
In an attempt to boost tourism and improve international relations, the Malawi Government has recently announced the relaxation of visa policy for nationals of 79 countries.
Passport holders from these countries now enjoy visa-free entry to Malawi for visits.
The news was revealed on February 7, 2024, by the Minister of Homeland Security, Ken Zikhale Ng'oma.
The change in Malawian visa policy is aimed at making Malawi a more accessible destination for international visitors, which can bring a significant boost to the Malawian tourism sector.
The decision to relax visa requirements for so many nationalities makes Malawi a more open destination, encouraging tourists from all over the world.
Apart from the visa exemption, the government of Malawi has also announced the extension of the multiple-entry visa to 12 months.
Visa-Exempt Countries for Malawi
The updated Malawi visa policy has extended the list of visa-exempt nationalities to 79 different countries.
The recently added visa-exempt countries include the following:
- Australia
- Belgium
- Canada
- China
- France
- Gambia
- Germany
- Ghana
- Russia
- Sierra Leone
- The UK
- The US
Moreover, citizens of countries being members of the following international organizations are allowed to travel to Malawi without a visa, except for those who require citizens of Malawi to have a visa to travel (i.e., they did not make bilateral agreements):
- Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (Comesa)
- Southern African Development Community (SADC)
Additionally, every government official, diplomat, or traveler holding a Laissez-Passer for any of the following bodies is also allowed to travel to Malawi without any visa:
- SADC
- Comesa
- The United Nations
- African Union
- African Development Bank
Non-visa-exempt countries for Malawi
Although some countries can enjoy visa-free travel to Malawi, there are still others whose nationals still require a visa.
Those who do not fall under any of the exemption categories will need to obtain a relevant visa before departure.
Fortunately, thanks to the introduction of the Malawi e-Visa system, getting a visa for Malawi is no longer a complicated and time-consuming procedure.
