Malawi Visa for British Citizens in 2026: Requirements

Quick answer: Yes. British citizens travelling on a full British citizen passport must apply for a visa to enter Malawi. The most straightforward option is the official Malawi e-Visa portal; Malawi also permits visa on arrival for eligible nationalities, but British travellers should confirm their category and arrange approval before departure rather than relying on arrival processing.

The official Malawi Immigration fee schedule lists a single-entry visa at US$75, while the current GOV.UK entry-requirements page lists US$50 for a single-entry visa. Because these official sources conflict, confirm the fee displayed on the official application portal or with Malawi Immigration before payment. The official e-Visa FAQ says applications are processed within three working days.

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

Do British citizens need a visa for Malawi?

Yes. GOV.UK states that people travelling on a full British citizen passport must apply for a visa to enter Malawi. This applies to ordinary tourism trips, including safari holidays, unless a specific exemption applies to the traveller's nationality, passport type or travel status.

Malawi's official e-Visa portal is the government application website. It issues an approval letter by email or through the applicant account, and the approval letter must be shown to passport control at a Malawian port of entry. A copy of the approval letter is mandatory before travelling when using the e-Visa route.

Malawi changed its visa-on-arrival arrangements in February 2026. The official notice says nationals of designated Category Two countries may obtain a visa on arrival at designated ports, while Category One nationals must obtain a visa or prior authorisation before departure. The notice does not, in the supplied information, identify the United Kingdom's category, so British travellers should not assume that they qualify for visa on arrival. Apply in advance through the official portal or confirm eligibility directly with Malawi Immigration.

Malawi visa types for British travellers

The visa type depends on the purpose of travel and the number of entries required. Malawi's published fee schedule identifies transit, single-entry and multiple-entry visa categories.

Visa type	Typical use	Published fee
Transit visa	Passing through Malawi in transit	US$50
Single-entry visa	One visit, including a standard tourist or safari trip	US$75 on Malawi Immigration's fee schedule; GOV.UK lists US$50
Six-month multiple-entry visa	Several entries during the stated period	US$150
Twelve-month multiple-entry visa	Repeated travel during the stated period	US$250

The table shows the published figures available in the research, but the single-entry fee is inconsistent between the two official sources. Confirm the current amount in the e-Visa payment screen before submitting an application. Visa fees are non-refundable if an e-Visa application is rejected, according to the official e-Visa FAQ.

For a one-off Malawi safari, a single-entry visa is generally the category to investigate first. If your itinerary leaves Malawi and returns during the same wider trip, check whether a multiple-entry visa is required before applying. The correct category depends on your itinerary and immigration rules at the time of application.

Once your entry documents are organised, you can compare safari packages on SafariFind and build a trip around Malawi's wildlife and lake regions. For broader planning, see our guide to why Malawi stands out as a safari destination.

How to apply for a Malawi e-Visa from the United Kingdom

Use the official Malawi e-Visa portal at evisa.gov.mw. The portal allows travellers to submit visa details and make an online payment. After processing, the system sends the decision and, if approved, an approval letter.

Step 1: Check your passport and trip details

Your British passport must have an expiry date at least six months after the day you arrive in Malawi. GOV.UK also warns that you may be refused entry if you do not hold a valid travel document or if you try to use a passport reported lost or stolen.

Check that the name, passport number, nationality and expiry date you enter match the passport you will carry. The official FAQ states that an e-Visa is linked to the passport used in the application, and travellers must use that passport to enter Malawi.

Step 2: Create an account and complete the application

Register or sign in on the official portal, then provide the requested personal, passport and travel information. Review every field before submission. An incorrect passport number or a mismatch between the application and your travel document can create problems at airline check-in or immigration.

The supplied official guidance confirms that applicants must provide the necessary details and upload supporting files. The e-Visa FAQ specifically says applicants must upload scanned documents rather than camera-captured photographs.

Step 3: Upload the required files

Prepare clear scans of the documents requested by the portal. The available guidance identifies passport documentation and a photograph among the application materials, while the official FAQ confirms that scanned files are required. Follow the portal's file-format, size and image instructions at the time you apply.

• A scan of the relevant passport page, with details readable.
• A passport-style photograph if requested by the application form.
• Travel information and any additional supporting documents requested by Malawi Immigration.

Do not rely on a blurred image or a photograph of a document taken with a phone if the portal requests a scan. The official FAQ says camera-captured photos are not accepted in place of scans.

Step 4: Pay and submit

Pay the fee shown by the official portal and save the payment or application reference. Visa fees are non-refundable if the application is rejected. If the portal displays a different single-entry amount from the published Malawi Immigration or GOV.UK figure, confirm the current fee with an official source before completing payment.

Step 5: Download and print the approval letter

Approved e-Visa letters can be accessed through the applicant's e-Visa account, and an access link is also sent by email. Print a copy and keep a digital copy with your travel documents. Malawi's official portal says the approval letter must be shown at passport control and that a copy is mandatory before travelling.

Malawi visa fees and payment

Malawi Immigration's official fee page lists US$50 for a transit visa, US$75 for a single-entry visa, US$150 for a six-month multiple-entry visa and US$250 for a twelve-month multiple-entry visa. GOV.UK currently 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.

The two official sources therefore agree on the multiple-entry figures supplied in the research but disagree on the single-entry fee. Do not assume that an older fee shown elsewhere is current. Confirm the amount on the official Malawi e-Visa portal immediately before payment. The official FAQ states that e-Visa fees are non-refundable.

Processing time, validity and when to apply

The official Malawi e-Visa FAQ says applications are processed within three working days. This is a stated processing period, not a guarantee that every application will be approved within that time. Missing, unclear or inconsistent documents can require further action, so apply before your departure date rather than waiting until the last few working days.

The official FAQ states that e-Visa validity starts from the date of issue, not the date of entry. Check the issue date and the permitted travel details on the approval letter as soon as it arrives. The supplied official research does not state the permitted stay length for each visa category, so confirm the validity and stay conditions shown on your approved visa and on the official portal.

If your trip involves several countries, check every border crossing rather than assuming that a Malawi visa covers neighbouring destinations. A visa for Malawi authorises entry to Malawi only; it does not replace the entry permission required by another country.

Visa planning is only one part of preparation. For health information, read SafariFind's Malawi vaccinations and health rules guide, while remembering that the linked article is written for American travellers and that vaccine requirements can depend on your itinerary and countries visited before Malawi.

Arriving in Malawi: what immigration may check

At passport control, carry the same British passport used in the e-Visa application and show the printed approval letter. Malawi's official portal says immigration officers verify the approval letter at ports of entry.

• Your valid British passport, which must expire at least six months after arrival.
• Your printed Malawi e-Visa approval letter.
• Any supporting travel documents requested by the immigration authorities or your carrier.

Airlines may check your visa documents before boarding. If you intend to use visa on arrival, confirm in advance that British citizens are included in the relevant eligibility category and that your arrival airport is a designated port. The official notice says visa-on-arrival issuance remains subject to Malawi's immigration laws and compliance with standard entry requirements.

Transit, extensions and overstays

Malawi's official fee schedule includes a transit visa priced at US$50. If you will leave the airport or spend time in Malawi rather than simply transit, confirm whether a visitor visa is required instead.

The supplied official research does not provide a current extension procedure, extension fee or maximum stay for British visitors. If you need to remain longer than the permission granted, contact Malawi Immigration before your visa or authorised stay expires and ask about the applicable process. Do not overstay while waiting for informal advice or a future application.

For a multi-country safari, allow time to check entry rules for each destination. Malawi's visa does not provide entry permission for Tanzania, Kenya, South Africa or another country.

Common Malawi visa mistakes and rejection risks

• Using an old visa rule: Malawi's official portal published a visa-on-arrival eligibility notice effective 24 February 2026. Recheck the position before departure.
• Assuming British citizens are visa-free: GOV.UK states that a visa is required for entry on a full British citizen passport.
• Applying with the wrong passport: the approved e-Visa is tied to the passport used in the application.
• Uploading camera photos instead of scans: the official FAQ says scanned documents are required.
• Travelling without the approval letter: Malawi says a copy of the approval letter is mandatory before travel for e-Visa applicants.
• Ignoring passport expiry: your passport must expire at least six months after the day you arrive.
• Budgeting for the wrong fee: Malawi Immigration and GOV.UK list different single-entry amounts. Confirm the live official fee before paying.
• Waiting until departure: the official processing period is within three working days, but applications can still require correction or review.

Keep your application reference, payment record, approval letter and passport copy together. If an email does not arrive, the official FAQ says applicants can check application status on the e-Visa portal and contact eVisa support at evisa.support@immigration.gov.mw for concerns.

For wider trip planning, SafariFind also covers health and security for a Malawi safari in 2026. Once your visa is approved, check your passport, approval letter and travel itinerary again before travelling.

Last checked July 2026 — always confirm with official sources before travelling. This article is informational content, not legal advice. Malawi's authorities and your airline may apply updated requirements, and the traveller remains responsible for checking the rules that apply to their passport, itinerary and purpose of travel.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do British citizens need a visa for Malawi?

Yes, British citizens travelling on a full British citizen passport must obtain a visa to enter Malawi. GOV.UK says travellers must apply for a visa, and the official Malawi e-Visa portal provides the online application route.

How can British citizens apply for a Malawi visa?

British citizens can apply through Malawi's official e-Visa portal at evisa.gov.mw. The application requires personal and passport details, supporting document uploads and online payment.

How much is a Malawi visa for British citizens?

The official Malawi Immigration fee page lists US$75 for a single-entry visa, while GOV.UK lists US$50. Because these official sources conflict, confirm the current amount on the official portal before payment.

How long does a Malawi e-Visa take for British citizens?

The official Malawi e-Visa FAQ says applications are processed within three working days. Apply earlier if documents need correction or further review.

Can British citizens get a Malawi visa on arrival?

Possibly, but British travellers should confirm their eligibility before departure. Malawi's February 2026 notice limits visa on arrival to nationals in designated categories, and the supplied official notice does not identify the United Kingdom's category.

How long must a British passport be valid for Malawi?

A British passport must have an expiry date at least six months after the day the traveller arrives in Malawi.

What documents are needed for a Malawi e-Visa?

Applicants need passport and travel information, plus the supporting files requested by the official portal. The official FAQ says applicants must upload scanned documents rather than camera-captured photos.

Does a Malawi e-Visa start on the date of arrival?

No. The official e-Visa FAQ says validity starts from the date of issue, not the date of entry. Check the approval letter for the applicable validity and stay conditions.

Can I use a different passport after receiving my Malawi e-Visa?

No. The official FAQ says the e-Visa bears the details of the passport used for the application, and travellers must use that passport to enter Malawi.

Are Malawi e-Visa fees refundable if an application is rejected?

No. Malawi's official e-Visa FAQ says e-Visa fees are non-refundable if an application is rejected.