How to Apply for a Malawi Visa in Atlanta

The East African nation of Malawi has gained new attention as an emerging tourist destination for residents of the Atlanta area.  Known as the “Warm Heart of Africa”, the landlocked country lies in the Great Rift Valley and borders Mozambique, Tanzania and Zambia.  According to The New York Times, “Most tourists come to Malawi to go on safaris among bulbous baobabs in Liwonde National Park or sunbathe on the sparkling yellow beaches of Lake Malawi, which stretches for two-thirds of the country’s length.” (https://www.nytimes.com/2022/11/15/travel/rock-climbing-malawi.html). 

During the Victorian Era, missionary Dr. David Livingstone led expeditions throughout Malawi and Central Africa.  After decades as the British protectorate of Nyasaland, the Republic of Malawi became an independent nation in the mid-1960s.  English remains the official language of Malawi and almost 90 percent of its residents are Christian.

Malawi ranks among the poorest and most densely populated countries in Africa, with more than 20 million people living in an area roughly four-fifths the size of Georgia.  Agriculture accounts for more than 70 percent of Malawi’s economy, which remains heavily dependent on foreign aid and global charities.  Tourism, which fell by 50 percent during the COVID-19 pandemic, rebounded to account for 5.8% of GDP in 2021.  The following year, the Malawi government and the African Development Bank unveiled a $660 million investment master plan to boost vacation industry infrastructure and bring more visitors to the country.

Lilongwe, the capital of and largest city in Malawi, was originally a small fishing village.  Its Old Town section is similar to other small African towns, featuring commercial buildings, retail shops, markets, cafes and restaurants.  Capital City (also known as New Town or City Centre) was built in the 1960s and 1970s after Lilongwe became the seat of government.  It features modern white buildings lining broad landscaped avenues.  Popular destinations in the city include Lilongwe Wildlife Centre, a sanctuary that rehabilitates injured and orphaned animals such as lions and monkeys.  Another is Kumbali Cultural Centre, home to traditional Malawian dancing, drumming, live music, and food. 

The second largest city and economic hub of Malawi is Blantyre.  Founded by Scottish missionaries and named for Dr. Livingstone’s birthplace, Blantyre is known for the historic St. Michael and All Angels Church and the Mandala House, the first western-style building in Malawi.  Zomba, the third-largest city and previous capital, features numerous examples of British architecture from the Colonial Era.

However, Malawi’s natural treasures provide the main tourist attractions for Atlanta area visitors. “Lake Malawi, the third largest lake in Africa, has deep, clear waters and mountain backdrops,” Forbes reported. (https://www.forbes.com/sites/lealane/2022/04/17/malawi-a-stunning-landlocked-african-country-aims-for-tourism/?sh=4b3794e84a3b).  One of the best freshwater snorkeling and diving sites, Lake Malawi contains more fish species than any other lake in the world.  Lake Malawi National Park, at the southern end of the lake, was the world’s first freshwater national park.  It is also one of the country’s two UNESCO World Heritage sites. (The second is the Chongoni Rock-Art Area, featuring rare farmer rock art and paintings from Stone Age-era hunter-gatherers.) Wildlife-viewing tours around Lake Malawi and in neighboring Zambia have drawn visitors to the area for decades.  Safaris visit parks and game preserves with hippos, rhinos, wildcats, buffaloes, leopards, and many others.  Travelers can also visit Nyika National Park to see zebras and the elephants of Liwonde National Park.  Malawi’s numerous mountains draw hikers and a growing number of rock climbers.  The west face of Mount Mulanje’s Chambe Peak boasts the largest vertical rock wall in Africa, according to the Mountain Club of Malawi. “Blantyre and the Midima Hills, Mulanje, Zomba, the Dedza mountains and the lakeshore are among the places with rock climbing on offer,” the club stated (https://mcm.org.mw/rock-climbing-in-malawi-3/).  For the less adventurous, Malawi offers numerous beach resorts on Lake Malawi.  Villages such as Cape Maclear and Nkhotakota provide guests with opportunities for swimming, boating, snorkeling, and sunbathing.

Malawi Visa Requirements

Citizens of the United States and most other countries are required to obtain a visa to visit Malawi.  The country currently requires that non-Malawi citizens be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 or provide a recent negative PCR test. (Children 12 and under are exempt.) Current COVID-19 rules are available at the U.S. Embassy in Malawi website, https://mw.usembassy.gov/covid-19-information/.  Also, proof of yellow fever vaccination is required for those arriving from a country with high risk of yellow fever transmission.  A list of those countries can be found at https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/list.  Travel advisories and other health information for Malawi visitors are available from the U.S. State Department at https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Malawi.html.

Malawi offers several types of visas for residents of Atlanta, as detailed by the Malawi Department of Immigration at https://www.immigration.gov.mw/visa/types-of-malawi-visa/.  The primary requirement for a tourist visa is that your U.S. passport be valid for at least six months from your date of entry and contain at least two blank pages.  If your passport does not meet these requirements, you will need to renew your travel document before applying.

The Republic of Malawi offers three methods for obtaining a tourist visa:

  • Apply online for an electronic visa (or e-Visa);
  • By mail or in person at the embassy in Washington, D.C.; or
  • Upon arrival in Malawi.

Of these three options, the e-Visa is the easiest, least expensive, and most efficient.  However, not everyone is eligible for the e-Visa.  You can use the visa eligibility wizard at https://www.evisa.gov.mw/VisaAssistance to see whether you qualify.

Option One: Apply Online for an Electronic Visa from Atlanta

Visitors from the Atlanta area who are citizens of the United States (and many other countries) can apply online for an electronic visa at https://www.evisa.gov.mw/.  Use the visa eligibility wizard at the bottom of the page to ensure you qualify for an e-Visa.  If so, you can create an account on the government portal, log in, and complete the application (which mainly consists of information from your passport).

Requirements for the e-Visa include uploading:

  • A copy of your passport’s bio data page.
  • Recent photograph.
  • Cover letter with details of your trip. If you are using a tour operator, they can provide the itinerary.
  • Air ticket and hotel booking confirmation.

For minor children, you will also need to supply:

  • Copy of parent or guardian’s passport bio data page.
  • Birth certificate.
  • Proof of legal guardianship (if adult is not natural parent).
  • Minor consent form (available online).

Fill out the online application, attach the required documents, and pay the non-refundable application fee using a debit or credit card issued by Visa or MasterCard.  E-Visa fees are currently $50 for a single-entry visa, valid for three months after issue; $150 for a multiple-entry visa, good for six months; and $250 for multiple entries over the next 12 months.  E-Visas are typically processed within five business days.

After your application and payment are submitted, you will receive a confirmation email from the Department of Immigration and Citizenship Services.  Once your visa has been reviewed, approved, and processed, you can download and print your e-Visa.

Option Two: Apply Through an Embassy/Consulate

U.S. citizens living in Atlanta and those from certain other countries can also obtain a traditional tourist visa from the Malawi Embassy in Washington DC (or the Malawi diplomatic mission in their country) by using forms found at http://www.malawiembassy-dc.org/page/visa-application-requirements or https://www.dropbox.com/s/gu3gkr9u1zeycbp/visa%20application%20form.pdf?dl=0.

You can appear in person at the Washington embassy, mail your application package, or use a courier service such as Visa Supply to dispatch your documents.  You will need to provide two copies of the application and all required documents:

  • Your passport valid for at least six months beyond the date you would enter Malawi.
  • Two passport-style photos.
  • Completed paper application, printed from links above and signed.
  • Proof of accommodation and air travel itinerary.
  • Return prepaid envelope addressed to the applicant.
  • Payment of non-refundable visa fee.

 

Fees can be paid by money order, bank-certified check, or cash.  The current fees for traditional visas are $100 for a three-month single entry visa; $220 for a multiple-entry visa good for six months; and $300 for multiple entries over a 12-month period following the issue date.  Be sure to confirm these amounts, as the embassy fees change frequently. 

Option Three: Apply Upon Arrival

U.S. citizens are also eligible to apply for a visa upon arrival in numerous points of entry into Malawi.  You will still need to provide the same documents, paper application, and fees required for the traditional embassy-issued visa.  However, you may find yourself waiting in long lines with no guarantee that your application will be approved at the border crossing.

We Can Help if You Need Assistance

If you live in Atlanta or anywhere in the state of Georgia and have difficulty applying for a visa for Malawi, or require assistance with any part of the visa process, please give our office a call at 404-682-5445 or schedule an appointment with our company.  We are a private agency in Atlanta providing Malawi visa services for Americans and other U.S.-based residents.  Our number one goal is to ensure your application documents for a visa are submitted accurately to the Malawi government.  Our services eliminate delays and give you the peace of mind to focus on your travel plans. 

We provide the following Malawi visa services for our customers in Atlanta:

  • Malawi Tourist Visa
  • Malawi Business Visa
  • Malawi Transit Visa
  • Malawi Official Visa
  • Malawi Courtesy Visa
  • Malawi Diplomatic Visa