Malawi Entry Requirements for Travellers: What to Know in 2026

Last checked July 2026 — always confirm with official sources before travelling.

Most international travellers must arrange permission to enter Malawi, but the exact process depends on nationality and passport category. Malawi's official e-Visa portal says nationals of Category Two countries may obtain a visa on arrival, while Category One nationals must obtain a visa or prior authorisation before departure. Your passport must have an expiry date at least six months after the day you arrive in Malawi.

For a safari, check your status on the official Malawi e-Visa portal before booking flights. Carry the passport used for the application, your visa or approval documentation where applicable, and any supporting documents requested by the live application system.

Quick answer: Malawi entry requirements in 2026

Requirement	What travellers should know
Passport	Your passport must expire at least six months after the day you arrive in Malawi.
Visa	Visa requirements depend on nationality and passport category. Malawi's official portal says Category Two nationals may obtain a visa on arrival, while Category One nationals need a visa or prior authorisation before departure.
Online application	Malawi provides an official e-Visa system. The portal strongly encourages eligible travellers to apply before departure to reduce the risk of delays at ports of entry.
Visa approval	If you receive an e-Visa approval letter, carry a copy. Available Malawi entry guidance says it must be shown at passport control and that a copy is mandatory before travelling.
Vaccination certificate	Malawi's entry guidance states that travellers must hold certificates for specified vaccinations. The available source extract does not identify every vaccination or circumstance, so verify the current rule before flying.
Other documents	Follow the current checklist in the official portal. The available research does not establish one universal list of accommodation, funds, onward-ticket or insurance documents for every nationality.

Malawi's rules can vary by nationality, travel document and purpose of travel. A tourist travelling on an ordinary passport may not face the same process as someone using an emergency document or entering to work, study or reside. The official portal is therefore the best starting point for a nationality-specific decision.

Passport and document requirements

Passport validity

Your passport must have an expiry date at least six months after the day you arrive in Malawi. This is an arrival-based rule, not simply six months from the date you submit a visa application. If your passport falls short, renew it or confirm the position with Malawi Immigration before making non-refundable travel arrangements.

You may be denied entry if you do not hold a valid travel document or if you attempt to use a passport that has been reported lost or stolen. Travellers using temporary, emergency or other non-standard documents should verify the rule with the nearest Malawian mission and their airline before departure, because different entry rules may apply.

Visa requirements by nationality

Malawi's official e-Visa portal says that, effective 24 February 2026, nationals of Category Two countries are eligible for a visa on arrival at designated ports of entry. Nationals of Category One countries must obtain a visa or prior authorisation before departure. The portal's live nationality checker should be treated as the controlling source for your passport, because the research available here does not reproduce the complete Category One and Category Two lists.

Some government travel advice pages describe Malawi tourist visas as obtainable on arrival and also point travellers to the online e-Visa system. The UK guidance lists single-entry and multiple-entry options, but nationality eligibility and procedures can change; check the official portal immediately before travel rather than relying on an older article or a third-party visa website.

Visa fees

The UK government's Malawi entry guidance lists the following amounts for visas obtained on arrival:

Visa type	Listed fee
Single-entry visa	US$50
Six-month multiple-entry visa	US$150
One-year multiple-entry visa	US$250

These figures come from the cited UK government travel advice, while the Malawi portal's current notice governs eligibility and the process at the border. Confirm the current fee, accepted payment method and any online charges on the official portal before travelling. The UK guidance specifically advises travellers obtaining a visa on arrival to bring US dollars in cash for payment.

Do not assume that a visa on arrival is available simply because another traveller with a different passport obtained one. Airlines may check documentation before boarding, and Malawi's official portal says that travellers must comply with Malawi's immigration laws and regulations.

Supporting documents

Keep your documents consistent with the details in your application. At minimum, organise your passport, visa or authorisation, accommodation information and return or onward itinerary if the portal or immigration officer requests them. However, the available research does not prove that every traveller must present each of these documents, so use the live official checklist for your nationality rather than treating this as a universal legal list.

If you apply online, save your application reference, payment confirmation and approval letter in both digital and printed form. The available Malawi guidance says the approval letter must be presented at passport control and that carrying a copy before travel is mandatory.

Vaccination and health documentation

Malawi's entry guidance states that travellers must have certificates proving they have received specified vaccinations. The source extract available for this article does not identify the complete list, exemptions or transit conditions, so this article does not name a vaccine as universally required. Confirm the current certificate rules with Malawi's official authorities and a travel-health professional before departure.

For a more detailed planning overview, read what vaccines Malawi requires in 2026. Treat any health article as preparation guidance, not as a substitute for the current border rule or medical advice.

Travellers transiting another country should also check that country's vaccination and transit rules. A certificate requirement can depend on recent travel history or a transit itinerary, and the available Malawi research does not provide a complete route-by-route table. Confirm your complete itinerary with your airline and the relevant official health authorities before leaving.

Customs: what you can bring into Malawi

The available research does not provide a current, authoritative schedule for Malawi's personal allowances or prohibitions covering drones, prescription medication, cameras, alcohol, tobacco, food, wildlife products or other goods. Do not rely on a generic customs list copied from another African destination.

Drones and filming equipment

If you plan to bring a drone, confirm the import, possession, registration and flight-permission requirements with the relevant Malawian authorities before packing it. The sources supplied for this article do not establish whether a visitor may import or fly a drone without prior permission, so the safe answer is to obtain written confirmation rather than assume that a small recreational drone is permitted.

Prescription and other medication

Carry medication in its original packaging and bring supporting documentation from your prescriber where practical. Malawi-specific controlled-medicine limits and import rules are not provided in the research, so ask the appropriate Malawian authority or your airline about any controlled, injectable or unusually large quantity of medicine before travel. This is a precautionary preparation step, not a statement that every medicine requires permission.

Cash and valuables

The cited UK guidance advises travellers to bring US dollars in cash when paying for a visa on arrival. It does not state a general Malawi currency declaration threshold. Confirm current cash-declaration rules with Malawi Customs before carrying a large amount of cash, and keep payment funds separate from your passport and other travel documents.

For safari planning, visa and customs costs are separate from lodge, transport and park charges. You can compare Malawi safari costs for different budgets before finalising your itinerary, and check Malawi national park fees and availability separately from entry requirements.

Malawi arrival process: step by step

1. Check your passport. Confirm that it expires at least six months after your arrival date and that it is not reported lost or stolen.
2. Check your nationality category. Use the official Malawi e-Visa portal to determine whether your passport falls into a category requiring prior authorisation or one eligible for a visa on arrival.
3. Apply before departure if available. Malawi's portal strongly encourages eligible travellers to apply online before departure to facilitate travel arrangements, reduce processing time at ports of entry and avoid potential delays.
4. Prepare the approval documentation. If approved for an e-Visa, print the approval letter and keep an accessible digital backup. The available guidance says the letter must be shown at passport control.
5. Prepare payment. If you are eligible for a visa on arrival, carry the payment method and currency confirmed by the current official guidance. The UK advice recommends US dollars in cash and lists the fees shown above. Confirm the live fee before departure.
6. Complete immigration checks. Present your passport and visa or approval documentation. Officials may inspect whether you comply with Malawi's immigration rules, and the official portal says an e-Visa holder can still be denied entry following inspection and verification.
7. Collect your documents. Before leaving the entry area, check that your passport and any visa documentation have been returned and that the permitted stay matches your plans.

There is no processing-time figure in the supplied official research. Do not plan around an assumed number of hours or days; apply as early as your itinerary allows and confirm the current processing information shown in the official portal.

Departure requirements and overstays

Before leaving Malawi, check that your stay has not exceeded the period authorised by your visa or entry permission. Canada's travel advice states that travellers wishing to extend their stay should contact Malawi's Department of Immigration and Citizenship Services, and that an overstay without proper authorisation may result in a fine on departure.

If your plans change, do not rely on an airline agent or informal advice to regularise your status. Contact Malawi Immigration before the authorised period expires and keep any extension approval with your passport. The available sources do not establish the current extension fee, processing time or penalty amount, so confirm those details directly rather than relying on an estimate.

At departure, keep your passport, visa record and any extension paperwork available until you have completed exit formalities. If you are carrying cash, wildlife products, filming equipment or other restricted goods, verify the applicable export rules before travelling to the airport; the supplied research does not provide a current Malawi customs schedule for these items.

Travelling with children

Children need their own travel documents, and their visa position may depend on the passport they hold. Check each child's nationality separately in the official Malawi e-Visa system rather than assuming that a parent's visa automatically covers them.

The available Malawi-specific research does not set out a complete child-consent, birth-certificate or custody-document list. If a child travels with one parent, another adult or alone, ask the airline and the relevant Malawian diplomatic or immigration authority which supporting documents are required for your route. If your journey passes through South Africa, the UK travel advice separately directs travellers with children aged 17 and under to check South Africa's document rules.

Carry copies of the child's passport, visa approval and any documents requested by the airline or border authorities, while keeping originals secure. This is practical preparation; the exact documents required should be confirmed for the child's nationality, travel arrangement and transit countries.

Practical arrival tips for a Malawi safari

• Use only the official Malawi e-Visa portal for an online application and verify the web address before entering passport or payment details.
• Apply before departure when the portal permits it, even if your nationality is eligible for a visa on arrival. Malawi specifically recommends advance applications to reduce possible delays.
• Print your e-Visa approval letter. The available guidance says a copy is mandatory before travelling and that the letter must be shown at passport control.
• Carry US dollars in cash if the current official guidance confirms that you will pay for a visa on arrival. Confirm the current fee first.
• Do not assume that a visa guarantees admission. Malawi's portal says immigration officials may deny entry after inspection and verification.
• Check health-document rules shortly before travel because the supplied guidance confirms vaccination certificates are required in specified circumstances but does not reproduce the complete current list.
• Allow time for immigration formalities before a domestic connection to a lodge or park. This is sensible itinerary planning; the supplied sources do not provide a standard airport processing time.
• Keep your safari operator informed if your visa is delayed or your passport changes. A visa application should use the same passport that you present for travel. The available guidance also warns that an e-Visa holder may still be refused entry after inspection.

Once your entry documents are in order, you can compare safari packages on SafariFind based on park, lodge style, transport and budget. Entry permission is only one part of the trip: confirm park access, accommodation availability and internal travel separately.

Important: This article is informational content, not legal advice. Malawi entry, visa, health and customs rules can change, and nationality-specific exceptions may apply. Recheck the official Malawi e-Visa portal, Malawi Immigration guidance, your airline and relevant government travel advice immediately before travelling.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a visa for Malawi?

Most international travellers need Malawi entry permission, but the exact requirement depends on nationality and passport category. Malawi's official portal says Category Two nationals may obtain a visa on arrival, while Category One nationals must obtain a visa or prior authorisation before departure.

Can I get a Malawi visa on arrival in 2026?

You may be able to get a visa on arrival if your nationality is in Malawi's eligible Category Two group. Category One nationals must arrange a visa or prior authorisation before departure, so check the official portal rather than assuming eligibility.

How much is a Malawi visa?

The UK government lists US$50 for a single-entry visa, US$150 for a six-month multiple-entry visa and US$250 for a one-year multiple-entry visa obtained on arrival. Confirm the current fee and payment method on the official Malawi portal before travelling.

How long must my passport be valid for Malawi?

Your passport must have an expiry date at least six months after the day you arrive in Malawi. Travellers using temporary or emergency documents should confirm the rule separately.

Do I need to apply for a Malawi e-Visa before travelling?

Apply before travelling if the official portal allows it for your nationality. Malawi strongly encourages eligible travellers to use the e-Visa system in advance to reduce potential delays at ports of entry.

Do I need to print my Malawi e-Visa approval letter?

Yes, carry a printed copy if you receive an e-Visa approval letter. Available Malawi entry guidance says the copy is mandatory before travel and the letter must be shown at passport control.

Are vaccinations required to enter Malawi?

Malawi's entry guidance says travellers must hold certificates proving specified vaccinations. The available source does not provide the complete list or every transit condition, so confirm the current certificate requirements before departure.

Is travel insurance required for Malawi?

The supplied research does not establish a universal Malawi travel-insurance requirement for every international traveller. Check the current official visa checklist for your nationality and consider insurance separately for medical and trip-related risks.

Can I bring a drone into Malawi?

The supplied research does not establish Malawi's current drone import or flight-permission rules. Confirm the requirements with the relevant Malawian authorities before packing or operating a drone.

What happens if I overstay my Malawi visa?

An overstay without proper authorisation may result in a fine on departure. Contact Malawi's Department of Immigration and Citizenship Services before your authorised stay expires if you need an extension.