By Pemphero Malimba:
Travellers from 160 countries, including the United States (US), can continue travelling to Malawi without prior authorisation for a visa.
This follows an update from the Department of Immigration and Citizenship Services on countries whose citizens require prior visa authorisation and those who do not.
Apart from the US, travellers from Belgium, the United Kingdom and Canada fall under Category Two, which allows them to obtain a visa on arrival, with or without prior authorisation.
Travellers from countries such as China, India, Iran, Morocco and Burundi are among those from 47 countries in Category One who are required to obtain a visa or prior authorisation before travelling to Malawi.
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Department spokesperson Pasqually Zulu said the 47 countries were placed in Category One on a reciprocal and security basis.
“We need to vet them, which is why we require a visa in advance,” Zulu said.
According to Zulu, transit and single-entry visas cost $50. Tourists are required to provide hotel reservations, while those travelling to Malawi for meetings must provide documentation such as invitation letters.
“Frequent travellers are supposed to pay $250 for a period of one year, while those on multiple-entry visas for six months pay $150,” he said.
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Malawi does not require visa bonds, unlike some other countries, including the SA.
The SA recently announced a permanent visa bond of up to $20,000 for visitors from 50 countries, including 30 African countries.
The affected African countries include Malawi, Zambia, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Tanzania, Nigeria, Algeria and Uganda.
Foreign Affairs Minister George Chaponda recently expressed concern over US visa policies, saying they were negatively affecting Malawians seeking education, medical treatment and business opportunities in the SA.
