Malawi Tourist Visa - Definitive Guide

As a foreign visitor to Malawi, if you are willing to travel to the country for tourism and leisure activities, you will then be required to issue a tourist visa to Malawi. There are several benefits to this permit. The holder can tour the country for sightseeing and other tourist activities as well as is allowed to visit their friends and family members based in Malawi.

The validity of the visa can vary depending on certain factors. It can be single-entry permit or a multiple-entry permit. There are two kinds of multiple-entry permits, one of which is valid for 6 months and the other one is valid for 12 months. The stay permitted per visit is 30 calendar days.

The process for the application of the permit involves the Malawi High Commission. You first need to be eligible to issue a tourist visa to Malawi when you are applying for one. The process is mainly offline and is elaborated as follows:

1. You can start by downloading the visa application form.
2. Choose the kind of permit you require.
3. Fill out the application form thoroughly. It must be filled out in block letters.
4. Attach all the required documents to the application form.
5. You can then submit the application form to the Malawi High Commission.
6. After approval, you can then proceed to pay the Malawi visa fees.

When filling out the application form, you need to make sure that you are providing the correct information and details and that they match the information on the travel documents. If there are any kind of details that are found to be unverifiable and false, there are chances that your permit may get rejected. Such a visa rejection can affect your future applications to Malawi or to any other country. Therefore, it is safer to contact the professionals visa agents so that the chances of errors in the application are fewer.

The criteria that will make you eligible for the issuance of a tourist visa to Malawi is determined by the High Commission. You need to fulfil these parameters in order to apply for the permit. These criteria are given as follows:

• You must possess proof of purpose of visit

• If you are visiting your acquaintances, you must have an invitation letter from the resident in Malawi.
• You must visit for tourism only, or visiting acquaintances and not searching for or taking up any kind of employment.
• You must meet the health requirements

• You must be healthy enough to travel to Malawi.
• You must perform a medical test before travelling to the country and provide a relevant documentary proof (if asked).
• You must be of good character, you may not be granted the visa if -

• You have a history of a criminal conviction.
• You have been deported or banned from another country.
• You are found to be a threat or risk to the country.
• You must have sufficient funds
• You must possess or have access to sufficient funds to be able to cover your stay and other expenses in Malawi.
• Bank statement or any equivalent document is to be submitted as well as proof of the same.

The requirements vary from case to case and depending on the type of the permit. Some of the common Malawi tourist visa requirements are as follows:

• A passport valid for at least 6 months
• Two recent passport size photographs
• Covering Letter from applicant / company etc.
• Itinerary
• Confirmed Air Tickets
• Invitation Letter from sponsor in Malawi (if applicable)
• Proof of Accommodation - Hotel Booking
• Proof of sufficient funds - Bank Statements for the last 3 months
• Photocopies of Applicant’s Passport
• Yellow Fever Vaccination Certificate

• One copy must be provided
• Photo size: 35 mm x 45 mm.
• Coloured copy must be provided.
• The face must cover about 70-80% of the frame.
• Head should well-centred.
• The picture must not be older than 3 months.
• The background must be white
• Neutral expressions
• Glasses are not permitted.
• Headgears are not allowed except for religious reasons.
• Clothing shouldn’t match the background.
• Both the ears must be visible.
• Teeth should not be shown in the photograph.

The processing time required for the issuance of a tourist visa to Malawi or a visa certificate is about 3 to 5 days. There are several factors that affect the processing time of the permit. Such as the workload at the embassy office, the staff availability, whether the documents are complete or the rest of the documents are yet to be submitted and others.

The cost of Malawi tourist visa is dependent on certain factors like whether the permit is single-entry or multiple-entry, how long do you need to stay and other factors. The fee for a visa sticker is to be paid after the approval of the application. In the case of a visa certificate, you will have to pay the fee after you have arrived in Malawi.

When you have submitted the application form to the Malawi High Commission, there are certain things that you need to note -

• When the fee for the application is paid, the processing of the application will begin.
• You must note that the fee is to be paid only after the application has been approved.
• The High Commission will provide a visa sticker on the passport when all the documents are submitted.
• In case the visa sticker are out of stock, you will be provided with a visa certificate that is valid for 30 days.
• The processing of the permit will take time, therefore, ensure that you are submitting the documents at least a week before your intended date of travel.
• If there are any other changes that are to be made in the application, the High Commission must be informed.

You can check the status of your visa offline by contacting the High Commission after the submission of the documents and payment of the fees. If you have applied through a professional agency, you can check the status online by visiting their website for the tracking.

After the application, the documents will be processed and you will be provided with a visa sticker. You may be provided with a visa certificate if the visa stickers are out of stock. When you have your permit, there are certain things that you need to keep in mind -

• Before you travel

• Make a note of the visa expiry date, as well as the number of entries permitted. You must not stay in the country beyond this period.
• You should travel to Malawi within the validity of your visa.
• Make sure to carry a copy of your passport and other travel documents while you are in the country.
• Issue health insurance and travel Insurance from a certified company for safety.
• At the Border

• Get your documents checked and your passport verified at the Immigration.
• If you have a visa certificate, pay the fee for a visa sticker and affix it to your passport.
• Consult the airport authorities for any kind of assistance required.
• Check your visa copy for other guidelines and rules to be followed.
• When you enter Malawi

• Ensure not to get involved in any kind of employment. You can, however, do unpaid volunteer work.
• The tourist prohibited areas must be stayed out of.
• Make sure you don’t overstay and apply for visa extension in time.
• If you have a change of plans and you need to stay longer, you can apply for an extension or a different kind of visa at least one month prior to the expiry.