Arrival in Malawi

Check your nationality in the official Malawi e-Visa eligibility wizard before booking travel. Since 24 February 2026, Category Two nationals may obtain a Visa on Arrival at designated points of entry, while Category One nationals need a visa or prior authorization before departure. A Visa on Arrival is not automatic. An eVisa is generally preferable when available: create an account, submit passport, travel, photograph and supporting-document details, pay online by Visa or Mastercard in US dollars, then download and print the approval letter. The passport details must match the application. Processing takes about three working days according to the eVisa FAQ, and a refused application does not receive a fee refund. Visa charges require checking before payment because the official FAQ lists US$50 for a single-entry visa while the current Department of Immigration and Citizenship Services fee page lists US$75. Budget at least US$75 until the portal confirms the payable amount. A visa permits entry processing, not employment, study or long-term residence. Those purposes require the relevant permit, such as an Employment Permit, Study Permit or residence permit. A Visitor or Business Visit Permit normally allows 30 days and may be extended by up to 60 days on application and payment. A Temporary Residence Permit may be available after a maximum of 90 days when a legitimate reason exists. Carry a passport or recognized travel document valid for the required period, proof of sufficient funds, a return or onward ticket to a country where you have entry permission, document copies in paper and digital form, and the address of your first accommodation in Malawi. Complete the Entry/Exit Card and keep your travel purpose, intended stay and first address ready for questions at the point of entry. Malawi's main international airports include Kamuzu International Airport near Lumbadzi and Chileka International Airport near Blantyre. Land, rail and water crossings also operate as points of entry, so confirm the exact border point against your ticket and the Department of Immigration and Citizenship Services address list. The Ministry of Health and Sanitation provides an official traveller health check for each person entering Malawi. It is free, requires no account and usually takes about three minutes. Enter the point of entry, arrival date, countries visited during the previous 21 days, passport details, reachable telephone number, emergency contact and relevant symptoms or exposures. Save the QR health pass and its reference offline. The arrival date can normally be entered only about two days ahead. Without a pass, an officer can complete screening at the border. Secondary screening is a precaution and does not by itself prove illness. Carry an International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis when the itinerary requires yellow-fever proof, including travel from or transit of more than 12 hours through a yellow-fever-risk country for travellers aged one year or older. Recheck the current itinerary before departure. Malawi has malaria risk, and medical advice about prevention should ideally begin at least one month before travel. Use the recommended prophylaxis and mosquito protection, take precautions with food and water because cholera transmission occurs, and carry regular medicines with a reserve supply. Declare goods and values accurately on Malawi Revenue Authority Form 47. Each passenger or family head provides the Malawi address, country of residence, expected stay, purpose of travel and transport details. Agricultural and animal products, meat, fish, eggs, milk, grain, maize, fresh produce, wildlife and trophies may require a permit or may be restricted. Dangerous drugs, hazardous waste, thin plastic products and some CITES goods can be prohibited or subject to separate rules. False or incomplete declarations can lead to seizure, a fine or imprisonment. A general short-stay registration requirement was not established in the reviewed official sources. A lawful resident foreigner with a valid Department of Immigration and Citizenship Services permit can register with the National Registration Bureau through a District Registration Office. The application uses Form NR2, permit or residence evidence and biometric data. The Resident Foreigner ID is normally collected after about 30 days. The National Registration Bureau FAQ lists a fee of MK20,000 paid at a Treasury Cashier, and late registration after the permitted period can incur an additional fee. The ID supports identity checks, banking and access to services; it does not replace the immigration permit. For healthcare after arrival, use the Malawi Health Facility Registry to search by district, facility type, operating status and ownership. Care generally moves from primary to secondary and then tertiary facilities through referral. Central hospitals include Kamuzu Central Hospital in Lilongwe, Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital in Blantyre, Mzuzu Central Hospital and Zomba Central Hospital. The National Public Health Emergency Operations Centre emergency number is 929 and is toll-free around the clock. Confirm a facility's current status before travelling to it. Lilongwe is the capital; Blantyre, Zomba and Mzuzu are major centres. English is the official language, Chichewa is widely used, the currency is the Kwacha and Malawi uses GMT+2. Transport and accommodation details can change by place and season, so verify them locally rather than relying on a single national assumption.