Malawi — Visas and Healthcare
Passports and Visas
All foreign passengers to Malawi must hold return/onward tickets and the necessary travel documentation for their next destination, and sufficient funds to cover their expenses while in the country. A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required to enter Malawi, if arriving within six days of leaving or transiting through an infected area. NOTE: It is highly recommended that your passport has at least six months validity remaining after your intended date of departure from your travel destination. Immigration officials often apply different rules to those stated by travel agents and official sources.
Americans
US citizens must have a passport that is valid upon their arrival in Malawi. No visa is required, for stays of up to 90 days.
UK Nationals
British citizens must have a passport that is valid upon their arrival in Malawi. No visa is required for British passport holders, irrespective of the endorsement regarding their national status contained therein, for stays of up to 90 days.
Canadians
Canadian citizens must have a passport that is valid upon their arrival in Malawi. No visa is required, for stays of up to 90 days.
Australians
Australian citizens must have a passport that is valid upon their arrival in Malawi. No visa is required, for stays of up to 90 days.
South Africans
South African citizens must have a passport that is valid upon their arrival in Malawi. No visa is required, for stays of up to 90 days.
Irish Nationals
Irish citizens must have a passport that is valid upon their arrival in Malawi. No visa is required, for stays of up to 90 days.
New Zealanders
New Zealand citizens must have a passport that is valid upon their arrival in Malawi. No visa is required, for stays of up to 90 days.
Healthcare
Malaria is a health risk in Malawi throughout the year, especially on the coast. Cases of dengue fever and chikungunya fever have been reported and are transmitted by mosquitoes; precautionary measures against being bitten should be taken at all times. In 2008 Rift Valley fever was reported in five regions; contact with domestic animals and mosquitoes should be avoided. All travelers coming from a country with yellow fever require inoculation against the disease. Other risks include bilharzia, tuberculosis and rabies. Tap water should not be drunk unless it has been boiled or chemically treated. Medical facilities are limited and, outside of the capital, medical care may be difficult to find. Limited medications are available and it is advisable to bring along a medical kit for private use. Comprehensive medical insurance is advised.
Safety
Malawi is considered a relatively safe country in which to travel and the majority of visits are trouble-free, but sensible precautions should be taken with regards to personal possessions and security, particularly after dark. There have been reports of robberies, money scams involving tourists, and 4x4 vehicles being hijacked; also be alert for muggers and bag snatchers. A photocopy of your passport and visa should be carries at all times. In Lilongwe the majority of incidents take place on Kenyatta Drive and around the bus station, so visitors should be particularly vigilant in these areas.
