Visa Information / Entry requirements – Malawi

This page reflects the UK government’s understanding of current rules for people travelling on a full ‘British Citizen’ passport from the UK, for the most common types of travel.

The authorities in Malawi set and enforce entry rules. If you’re unsure how Malawi’s entry requirements apply to you, contact its UK embassy, high commission or consulate.

All travellers

You need a visa to enter Malawi as a visitor. See Visas for more information.

If you’re fully vaccinated

You are not required to show proof of a negative PCR test if you are fully vaccinated.

You may be tested for COVID-19 on arrival at your own expense. Passengers may be required to remain at the airport or a testing centre until their COVID-19 test results are known, usually within 24 hours. Individuals testing positive for coronavirus on arrival may be taken for treatment at a government facility. All other individuals will be required to self-monitor for COVID-19 signs and symptoms for 14 days after arrival. This allows the traveller to interact with others but they will be required to strictly observe physical distancing and hand hygiene, and must always use a mask in public. You should not use the NHS testing service to get a test in order to facilitate your travel to another country.

COVID-19 entry and exit requirements may be announced and altered at little notice. You should monitor the Malawi Ministry of Health Facebook page for the latest developments.

Flights in to and out of Malawi from South Africa, Kenya or Ethiopia may also be affected by their own coronavirus (COVID-19) response. Follow our travel advice for South Africa, Kenya and Ethiopia for information on entry and transit requirements.

Residents of Malawi

Returning residents must follow the same rules as for fully vaccinated travellers. You may not be allowed to board your plane, or be turned back at the border if you are not fully vaccinated or cannot provide proof.

Proof of vaccination status

You must produce an electronically verifiable full vaccination certificate at the point of entry.

Malawi will accept the UK’s proof of COVID-19 vaccination record and proof of COVID-19 vaccination issued in the Crown Dependencies. Your final vaccine dose must have been administered at least 14 days prior to travel. Your NHS appointment card from vaccination centres is not designed to be used as proof of vaccination and should not be used to demonstrate your vaccine status.

If you’re not fully vaccinated

You must produce an electronically verifiable full vaccination certificate at the point of entry. You may not be allowed to board your plane, or be turned back at the border if you are not fully vaccinated or cannot provide proof. See Malawi’s Ministry of Health Facebook page for further information.

If you’ve had COVID-19 in the past year

You must produce an electronically verifiable full vaccination certificate at the point of entry. You may not be allowed to board your plane, or be turned back at the border if you are not fully vaccinated or cannot provide proof.

Children and young people

Children aged 12 to 17 should follow the rules for fully vaccinated travellers to enter Malawi. Children under the age of 12 do not require proof of vaccination or PCR on arrival.

If you’re transiting through Malawi

Transiting is when you pass through one country on the way to your final destination.

Transiting through Malawi is permitted for travellers who present proof of a full vaccination certificate and a negative COVID-19 PCR test not older than 72 hours from your time of departure from your country of origin.

Exemptions

There are no exemptions to Malawi’s entry requirements.

Check your passport and travel documents before you travel

Passport validity

Your passport should be valid for minimum period of 6 months on arrival in Malawi.

Visas

British passport holders need a tourist or business visa to enter Malawi. Malawi has introduced an ‘e-visas’ system through which applications can be submitted and approved online in advance of travel. You can find details of the application process on the Malawi High Commission website. The Malawi authorities strongly advise you to get a visa before travel. If you can’t get a visa before travel, you may be able to get a single entry tourist or business visa on arrival at main ports of entry to Malawi, subject to the fulfilment of all immigration requirements. You should check with the Malawi High Commission in London for more information.

Travelling with children via a South African airport

If you’re transiting through a South African airport with children (under 18), see our South Africa travel advice page for information and advice about the documents you’ll need to carry.

Yellow fever certificate requirements

Check whether you need a yellow fever certificate by visiting the National Travel Health Network and Centre’s TravelHealthPro website.

UK Emergency Travel Documents

UK Emergency Travel Documents (ETDs) are accepted for entry, airside transit, and exit from Malawi. ETDs must be valid for 6 months for entry into Malawi if the holder is not a returning resident.

Tourism Health Information – Malawi

If you have a health condition, or you are pregnant, you may need specialist healthcare abroad. Check whether your destination country can provide the healthcare you may need and ensure you have appropriate travel insurance for unexpected medical evacuation or local treatment.

At least 8 weeks before your trip, check the latest country-specific health advice from the National Travel Health Network and Centre (NaTHNaC) on the TravelHealthPro website. Each country-specific page has information on vaccine recommendations, any current health risks or outbreaks, and factsheets with information on staying healthy abroad. Guidance is also available from NHS (Scotland) on the FitForTravel website.

General information on travel vaccinations and a travel health checklist is available on the NHS website. You may then wish to contact your health adviser or pharmacy for advice on other preventive measures and managing any pre-existing medical conditions while you’re abroad.

The legal status and regulation of some medicines prescribed or purchased in the UK can be different in other countries. If you’re travelling with prescription or over-the-counter medicine, read this guidance from NaTHNaC on best practice when travelling with medicines. For further information on the legal status of a specific medicine, you’ll need to contact the embassy, high commission or consulate of the country or territory you’re travelling to.

While travel can be enjoyable, it can sometimes be challenging. There are clear links between mental and physical health, so looking after yourself during travel and when abroad is important. Information on travelling with mental health conditions is available in our guidance page. Further information is also available from the National Travel Health Network and Centre (NaTHNaC).

Weather & When To Go To Malawi

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Travellers often asked, “When is the best time to go to Malawi?“. The answer is often not as simple as you might think, depending on many things, including the traveler’s interests, the exact time of visit and the reasons why they are travelling. One person’s top time to go to Malawi can be another person’s worst! 

Below we have given a broad guide to the weather and climate of Malawi. Due to global warming, weather patterns all over Africa are becoming increasingly unpredictable; there are downpours in the middle of deserts, and destructive droughts when rainfall is expected. 

The precipitation in Malawi comes mainly in December, January, February and March, though the rains arrive slightly earlier and leave slightly later the further north you are, and Malawi’s higher areas receive more rainfalls. 

Most of the rain has faded by April and May, leaving a green landscape, which is starting to dry out. Especially in higher and more southerly locations, night-time temperatures start to fall. 

In June, July and August, the nights become a lot cooler, although the days are still warm and clear. Some can get very cold, needing you to wrap up warm, for example if you are out at night – on a night game drive. This is the start of the so called ‘peak season’ for Malawi – with many cloudless days and increasing game sightings. 

Into September and October, the temperatures climb once again, so parts of the Malawi get quite hot especially the low-lying areas around the lake. 

November is a variable month: It can be hot and dry like the weather in October; it can also see the season’s first downpours. November is often an interesting month; occasionally on successive days you can even see both weather patterns.