Malawi opens doors to the world: visas abolished for citizens of 48 countries

Malawi has announced a significant expansion of the number of countries whose citizens can visit the country without visas. This decision was taken by the Malawi government led by President Lazarus Chakwera in February 2023 to boost tourism and attract foreign investment.

In February 2024, the Government of Malawi officially launched new immigration rules that remove visa requirements for 48 countries worldwide. These included Malawi's key partners such as Germany, the US, the UK, France, Belgium, Canada, as well as a number of African and Asian nations.

According to Malawi's Tourism Minister Vera Kamtukule, the decision is a "bold leap towards a brighter future" and is intended to make Malawi a more attractive and accessible tourist destination. In addition, the government hopes that visa facilitation will strengthen Malawi's economic ties with other countries and attract more foreign investment.

Malawi's Minister of Internal Security, Ken Zikhale Ngoma, has announced the expansion of the list of countries whose citizens can visit Malawi without visas. This decision was taken to simplify formalities and attract more tourists and investors.

Citizens of 48 countries (Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Belgium, Belize, Brunei, Canada, China, Cyprus, Dominica, Fiji, Finland, France, Germany, Gambia, Ghana, Grenada, Guyana, Solomon Islands, Ireland, USA, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Kiribati, Malaysia, Maldives, Malta, Nauru, Norway, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, United Kingdom, Russia, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tuvalu), including key partners Malawi.

In parallel, Malawi has an electronic visa (e-Visa) system for online issuance from 2019. This allows citizens of other countries to obtain visas remotely without visiting diplomatic missions. Three categories of e-Visa can be applied for: single entry (for 3 months), multiple entry (for 6 months) and annual multiple entry. The process is completely online and takes up to 5 working days.

The introduction of e-visas together with the expansion of visa-free travel makes Malawi more open and attractive to tourists and business travelers as part of a strategy to increase tourist traffic and attract investment.