Forum: travel.stackexchange.com
Tags: <visas><us-citizens><malawi>
Title: Do I need to obtain a visa prior to visiting Malawi as a US Citizen?
Question: I'm researching visa requirements for a safari in 2017 and from what it looks like most of the countries will give a visa on arrival at the border.  However, looking at Malawi it's saying I need to obtain a visa prior:  https://travel.state.gov/content/passports/en/country/malawi.html  What the site doesn't really specify is if one can be obtained at the border. Unless I'm missing it.  So, do I need to get one before departure from the US, or will a visa on arrival be granted at the border?

Answers:
sents: text: You don't need to obtain one beforehand, you can still get one on arrival according to Timatic
text: You do need a visa however, according to the Malawi embassy in Washington
text: and they don't mention anything about visas on arrival.
text: You could always request one before leaving to be safe, as the processing time is just 5 days .
text: They've introduced visa requirements for Europeans and Asians and for those who can get one on arrival
text: it's unclear what the procedure is The Government of Malawi will issue visas within Malawi but procedures for obtaining them have not yet been published.
answer_details: author: travel.stackexchange.com/users/9551/blackbird
score: 2
sents: text: Yes, United States nationals are among those who need a visa when going to Malawi, according to the Embassy of the Republic of Malawi web site Application Requirements To apply for a Visa, the Passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond the date of intended departure.
text: TYPES OF VISA |
text: COST: Tourist and Business Validity Transit (7 days)
text: US $70.00 3 months single entry from date of issue
text: US $100.00 6 months multiple entry from date of issue US
text: $220.00 One year multiple entry from date of issue US $300.00 Application Requirements
text: 2 application forms
text: Visa Application Forms 2
text: Passport-size photos Fees can be paid by money order, bank certified check or cash (The Embassy will not accept personal checks as a form of payment)
text: Onward ticket Valid Passport (at least six months before expiry date with enough unused pages) Copy of a letter from the applicant’s Organization or invitation letter.
text: Copy of sponsor’s Residential Status in Malawi (
text: i.e. Permit or Malawi Passport
text: if Malawian) Return Pre-Paid Envelope addressed to the applicant.
text: Please note: Application and all required documents MUST be sent in DUPLICATE to the Consular section at the Embassy.
text: In most cases, applications will be processed in 5 working days.
text: However, for nationals of India, Nigeria, Bangladesh, China, Burundi, Rwanda and Pakistan, applications may take up to 4 weeks.
text: Drop off time: 09:30 am to 12:30pm from Mondays to Thursdays.
answer_details: author: travel.stackexchange.com/users/30343/Giorgio
score: 2
sents: text: Okay, while all the answers here were awesome, I got mixed responses.
text: So I ended up contacting the US Consulate in Lilongwe, Malawi.
text: Here was their response: Entry visas for U.S. travelers are available upon arrival in Malawi at both of the international airports, Lilongwe and Blantyre, as well as at border crossings.
text: You will have to complete a one-page visa application form and pay the USD $75 (U.S. dollars only)
text: but it’s fairly routine at this point.
text: I’m
text: copying our official announcement below for your reference.
text: http://lilongwe.usembassy.gov/service/routine-messages2/entry-fee-for-malawi2.html
answer_details: author: travel.stackexchange.com/users/24390/TravelLikeBeaker
score: 2
sents: text: Visas on Arrival are available only in cases where a standard visa can not be obtained (ie in countries without a Malawi consular post, extended travel away from your country of residence, etc).
text: Approval for a VOA needs to be obtained before you arrive from the Immigration Department in Malawi.
text: You can't just simply hop on a plane and be granted a VOA.
text: As the US has a Malawi Embassy, you likely will be limited to getting the visa through them.
text: http://www.immigration.gov.mw/visa.html
answer_details: author: travel.stackexchange.com/users/None/
score: 1
sents: text: I am an American that live in Malawi Visas as issued at the International Airport upon arrival in Lilongwe Visas can be obtained at the Border crossings by filling a one page Visa document There are several types of visas but please note that although your Visa may be valid for 3, 6 or 12 months (single or multiple entry) you must check in at the nearest Immigrations Office after 30 days in the country.
answer_details: author: travel.stackexchange.com/users/56685/Rey
score: 1

Summary of the answers:
You can obtain a visa on arrival by filling in a one page visa document, but for longer stays you must check in at the nearest Immigrations Office after 30 days in the country. To apply for a Visa, the Passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond the date of intended departure, and you must have obtained approval for a VOA from the Immigration Department in Malawi. 
There seems to be confusion as to whether Americans need a visa to visit Malawi. However, it would appear that even visas on arrival may need to be requested in advance.