USEFUL INFO - Immigration & Visa

Did you know?

All visitors flying into Malawi have to declare the amount of foreign currency they are taking in and out of the country? Failure to do so is now illegal.

Migration

Accelerating migration from rural to urban areas contributed to an annual urban growth rate of about 6% in the early 1990s. Between October 1992 and mid-1996, 1.3 million Mozambican refugees repatriated from Malawi. The return of refugees to Mozambique is apparently complete. As of 1999, the majority of refugees were from the Great Lakes region. They were receiving assistance at M’dzaleka refugee camp. In 2000 the net migration rate was -0.8 per 1,000 population, a significant change from -17.1 per 1,000 in 1990. The total number of migrants in 2000 was 280,000, including refugees. The government views the migration levels as satisfactory.

Visa Requirements

Entry visas are required except for nationals:
Antigua
Australia
Bahamas
Bangladesh
Barbados
Barbuda
Belgium
Botswana
Canada
Cyprus
Denmark
Dominica
Fiji
Finland
Gambia
Federal Republic of Germany
Maldives
Malta
Mauritania
Nauru
The Netherlands
New Zealand
Nigeria
Norway
Papua New Guinea
Portugal
Samoa (W)
San Marino
Seychelles
Sierra Leone
Singapore
Solomon Islands
South Africa
Sri Lanka
St. Lucia
St. Vincent and the Grenadines
Swaziland
Sweden
Tonga
Trinidad and Tobago
Tuvalu
Uganda
United Republic of Tanzania
United Kingdom
United States of America
Vanuatu
Zambia and Zimbabwe
Nationals of other countries must obtain an entry visa irrespective of whether they are traveling on their national passport.

Where there is no Malawi Embassy, the British High Commission or Consulate will assist in obtaining visas.

An entry visa may be issued at the port of entry. Since immigration regulations are subject to periodic revisions, it is advisable for intending travelers to confirm whether or not they need an entry visa.

Immigration and Customs services at land borders do not operate during some hours at night. To avoid being stranded, travelers are advised to confirm beforehand the timings at which these services are available.

List of Embassies

Malawi Duty Free

The following goods may be imported into Malawi by passengers without incurring customs duty:

  • 200 cigarettes or 225g of tobacco in any form.
  • For those over 18 years of age, also 1l of spirits and 1l of beer and 1l of wine.
  • A reasonable quantity of consumer goods to meet the traveller’s immediate needs.
Restricted items
The import of firearms is prohibited unless a permit has been bought in advance from the Registrar of Firearms, Box 41, Zomba.