In a move that is set to reshape immigration dynamics, the government has amended immigration laws and removed visa restrictions for people from 47 countries.
This means people from Australia, Canada, China, Germany, the United Kingdom (UK) and the United States (US) will no longer need visas to enter the country.
Homeland Security Minister Kenneth Zikhale Ng’oma has confirmed the development
“The move has been made to allow more foreigners to enter the country without paying anything.
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“The core amendment involves the replacement of the Second Schedule of the Immigration Regulations, introducing a new visa arrangement. Notably, the regulations stipulate that visas for entry into Malawi are now required for nationals of all countries, with exceptions for a specific list of nations and certain categories of travellers,” Zikhale Ng’oma said.
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He said, for example, the implication on UK nationals is that they will no longer be required to obtain a visa for entry into Malawi.
Zikhale Ng’oma said the change is expected to simplify travel arrangements for UK nationals and enhance people-to-people connections between Malawi and the UK.
investment
On her part, Minister of Tourism Vera Kamtukule said State President Lazarus Chakwera has made it clear that he wants the country to make the best out of its relationship with other countries, a move that is expected to shore up the local economy through the influx of tourists.
“This is why he placed his Agriculture, Tourism and Mining (ATM) Strategy at the centre of our structural transformation in line with the three pillars of the MW [Malawi] 2063 [vision] to attract investment,” Kamtukule said.
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She, therefore, said by removing visa requirements from key source markets across the globe, the President is sending a signal that Malawi is open for business in these sectors.
Additionally, the regulations extend visa exemptions to individuals associated with regional and international organisations such as the Southern African Development Community and Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa.
The rules further extend visa exemptions to holders of specific laissez-passer documents issued by organisations such as the United Nations, African Union and the African Development Bank, who are exempted while on official business.
The regulations specify that the validity of multiple entry visas in Malawi (that is, six months and 12 months) shall reciprocate with the validity of multiple entry visas in the corresponding country.
Meanwhile, international affairs expert Jai Banda has said the Immigration (Amendment) Regulations of 2024 mark a significant step in Malawi’s efforts to streamline its immigration policies while fostering diplomatic relations and international cooperation.
“As the global landscape of travel and diplomacy continues to evolve, these amendments reflect the ongoing commitment of nations to adapt and facilitate smoother interactions between their citizens and the world,” Banda said.
