 GENERAL INFORMATION |
| ENTRY REQUIREMENTS |
A passport, return ticket, and adequate funds are required. A 30-day visa, which can be extended up to an additional 60 days is issued at point of entry. There is an airport departure tax.
Travelers should obtain the latest information and details from the Embassy of Malawi, 2408 Massachusetts Avenue, N.W., Washington D.C. 20008, telephone (202)797-1007. Overseas inquiries should be made at the nearest Malawian Embassy or Consulate. While strict dress codes are no longer in effect, travelers may wish to dress modestly, especially when visiting remote areas.
| BUSINESS RESIDENCE PERMIT |
For one to reside and do business in Malawi he or she must obtain a business Residence permit. An application for this has to be done before business commences. The Malawi Government is in the process coming up with a new Permit to replace the business resident permit divided into categories A to D.
 How to apply |
Fill in application forms in duplicate, include 2 passport size photographs, business plan and Police Clearance Certificate from your last country of residence and submit them to MIPA. An application fee of US$ 25.00 must accompany this application. Issuance fee is US $ 426.00.
| Employment permits |
A company or organisation can apply for an Employment Permit for its expatriate staff provided that this expertise is not locally available. Employment Permits are divided into 2 sections as follows:
| Key post positions |
An organisation will decide which posts are key to the operations of that organisation. This permit is not renewable and will be there for the lifespan of that organisation.
| How to apply |
Fill in the applications forms in duplicate, 2 passport size photographs, company profiles, organigramme and indicate which are Key post positions. An application fee of US $ 25.00 should accompany this form. Issuance fee is MK 40,000.00 (US $ 851.00).
| Time post positions |
As the name indicates, these will be limited to 3 years and can be renewed for another 3 years giving it a maximum of 6 years. The application forms should be include a curriculum vitae, certificates of qualifications. Application fee and issuance fee are the same as in key post positions.
| Visa to Malawi |
Countries that need visas to come to Malawi and are no Embassies or Consulates where they are, should contact the nearest Malawi Embassy or Consulate Offices to process these visas. Single entry visa will cost US $ 50.00 and multiple entry visas cost US $ 70.00.
| EMBASSY LOCATION/REGISTRATION |
U.S. citizens are encouraged to register with the consular section of the U.S. Embassy in Lilongwe in area 40, City Center, and to obtain updated information on travel and security in Malawi. The U.S. Embassy's mailing address is P.O. Box 30016. The telephone numbers are (265) 783-166, 783-342 and 783-367. The fax number is (265) 780-471.
| INFORMATION ON CRIME |
Armed robberies are becoming common throughout Malawi. Residential break-ins, car theft and petty crime are frequent in urban areas. American travelers have been the victims of robberies and serious assaults. The loss or theft abroad of a U.S. passport should be reported immediately to local police and to the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate. The pamphlets A Safe Trip Abroad and Tips for Travelers to Sub-Saharan Africa provide useful information on protecting personal security while traveling abroad. Both are available from the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C. 20402 or from their website at http://www.access.gpo.gov/su_docs.
| DRUG PENALTIES |
U.S and European citizens are subject to the laws of the country in which they are traveling. Penalties for possession, or dealing in illegal drugs are strict and convicted offenders can expect jail sentences and fines.
| MEDICAL FACILITIES |
Travellers should be aware that contrary to the frequent claims of the local tourist industry, some stretches of Lake Malawi contain the parasite schistosoma, aka bilharzia. Malaria is endemic throughout Malawi, and HIV/AIDS is prevalent. Medical facilities are basic at best. Some medicines are in short supply or unobtainable. Doctors and hospitals often require immediate cash payment for health care services. U.S. medical insurance is not always valid outside the United States. The Medicare/Medicaid program does not provide for payment of medical services outside the United States. Travelers have found supplemental medical insurance with specific overseas and medical evacuation coverage to be useful. For additional health information, travelers can contact the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's international travelers hotline on (888) 232-3238, or by autofax on (888) 232-3229. Internet: http://www.cdc.gov.
| VACCINATIONS |
The following vaccinations should be done before going to Malawi, or any country in the region:
Yellow Fever
Be aware that this type of vaccination is exclusively done in specific centres
Hepatitis A
The duration of the immunisation is limited to 2 to 6 months. So that it should be done just before leaving for Malawi.
Hepatitis B
Adviced
Diphteria & Tetanus
3 injections and then every 10 years.
Polio
Every 10 years.
Rabies
Adviced. 3 injections over 3 to 4 weeks.
Cholera
Adviced.
Meninogococcal Meningitis
The risk of getting this infection is fairly low in Malawi but should be done if you are planning to travel around, especially to Zambia.
| ROAD SAFETY/AUTOMOBILE TRAVEL |
While in a foreign country, U.S. citizens may encounter road conditions which differ significantly from those in the United States. The information below concerning Malawi is provided for general reference only, and may not be totally accurate in a particular location or circumstance.
Safety of Public Transportation poor
Urban Road Conditions/Maintenance poor
Rural Road Conditions/Maintenance poor
Availability of Roadside Assistance poor
Malawi's roads are in poor repair. Secondary roads may be impassable to all but four-wheel drive vehicles during the rainy season (November-April). Given Malawi's very high road accident rate, travelers should drive defensively and avoid road travel outside cities at night. Road support networks for stranded drivers do not exist.
Land routes through Mozambique to the Indian Ocean and Zimbabwe, including the Tete Corridor, can be dangerous. Incidents of carjacking and other violent crimes, including murder, have occurred. Four-wheel drive utility vehicles are targeted at a higher rate than other style vehicles. Travelers should plan their trip to ensure they travel only during daylight hours. Travelers are encouraged to convoy with other vehicles if possible. To ensure that travelers are provided with the most current information, persons traveling overland to Malawi should contact the U.S. Embassy Consular sections in both Malawi and in the proposed countries of transit.
For specific information concerning Malawian driver's permits, vehicle inspection, road tax and mandatory insurance, contact the Embassy of Malawi in Washington, DC on 202-797-1007. For international driving permits contact AAA or the American Automobile Touring Alliance.
| | AVIATION SAFETY OVERSIGHT |
As there is no direct commercial air service by local carriers at present, or economic authority to operate such service, between the U.S. and Malawi, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has not assessed Malawi’s Civil Aviation Authority for compliance with international aviation safety standards for oversight of Malawi’s air carrier operations. For further information, travelers may contact the Department of Transportation within the U.S. at 1-800-322-7873, or visit the FAA Internet home page at http://www.faa.gov/avr/iasa/index.htm. The U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) separately assesses some foreign air carriers for suitability as official providers of air services. For information regarding the DOD policy on specific carriers, travelers may contact DOD at 618-256-4801.
| CHILDREN'S ISSUES |
For information on international adoption of children, international parental child abduction and international child support enforcement issues, please refer to our Internet site at http://travel.state.gov/children's_issues.html or telephone (202) 736-7000.
| OFFICIAL HOLIDAYS |
1 January, New Year.
15 January, Chilembwe Day.
3 March, Martyr’s Day.
April, Good Friday; Easter Monday.
1 May, Labour Day.
14th June, Freedom Day.
6 July, Republic Day.
13 October, Mother’s Day.
25 December, Christmas Day.
26 December, Boxing day.
| Malawian Embassies and Consulates around the World |
Austria (Consulate)
Saarplatz 17
1170 Vienna
Belgium
Rue de la Loi 15
1040 Brussels
tel: (32-2) 231 0908
fax: (32-2) 231 1066
Brazil (Consulate)
Rua Piexoto Gomide 1938-9
Caixa Postal 30754
01409 Sao Paulo
tel: (55-11) 548 5433
fax: (55-11) 246 003
Canada
7 Clemow Avenue
Ottawa, Ontario K1S 2A9
tel: (613) 236-8931/32
fax: (613) 236-1054
Denmark (Consulate)
Agavevej 17
2900 Hellerup
Ethiopia
Makanisa Road, Higher 23, Kabele 10, House No. 1
PO Box 2316/Private Bag 7603
Addis Ababa
tel: (251-1) 712 440
fax: (251-1) 710 490
France
20 Rue Euler
75008 Paris
tel: (33-1) 47 20 20 27, 40 70 18 46
fax: (33-1) 47 23 62 48
Germany
Mainzer Strasse 124
53179 Bonn
tel: (49-228) 341 678
fax: (49-228) 340 619
Consulate:
Angermunder Street 64
4000 Dusseldorf 31
tel: (49-211) 741 224
Consulate:
Ulrich Strasse 68
8021 Munich
tel: (49-89) 178 7492
Consulate:
AM West Kai 25
7000 Stuttgart 60
tel: (49-711) 329 313
Consulate:
Brook 2
20457 Hamburg
Italy (Consulate)
Via F.S. Nitti 3 Rome
tel: (39-6) 321 924
Kenya
Westlands, off Waiyaki Way
PO Box 30453
Nairobi
tel: (254-2) 440 569
fax: (254-2) 440 568
Japan
3-12-9 Kami-Osaki
Shinagawa-Ku
Tokyo 141
tel: (81-3) 3449 3010
fax: (81-3) 3449 3220
Korea, South (Consulate)
No. 130-9, Non-Hyen-Dong,
Kaong-Wam-Ku
Seoul
tel: (82-2) 475 1110
Mozambique
Avenida Kenneth Kaunda No. 75
C.P. 4148
Maputo
tel: (258-1) 491 468
fax: (258-1) 490 224
Namibia
56 Bismarck Street
Private Bag 13254
Windhoek 9000
tel: (264-61) 221 391/2/3
fax: (264-61) 227 056
Netherlands (Consulate)
1012 RW Amsterdam
Portugal (Consulate)
Rua Antonio Enes, 9-4 DTO
1000 Lisbon
tel: (351-1) 547 736, 547 138
fax: (351-1) 538 225
South Africa
Lynwood
PO Box 11172, Brookhlyn 0011
Pretoria
tel: (27-12) 477 827/8/9
Spain (Consulate)
Largo de Don Pedro 8
Madrid
tel: (34-1) 265 8659
Switzerland (Consulate)
40 Rue du Rhone
1204 Geneva
tel: (41-22) 861 0620
Tanzania
Nic Life House, 6th Floor
PO Box 7616
Dar es Salaam
tel: (255-51) 113 239
fax: (255-51) 113 360
United Kingdom
33 Grosvenor Street
London
tel: (44-171) 491-4172
fax: (44-171) 491-9916
Consulate:
7 Duddingston Crescent
Edinburgh EH15 3AS, Scotland
tel: (44-131) 669 0600
United Nations
600 Third Avenue
New York, NY 10016
tel: (212) 949-0180, 949-0182
fax: (212) 599-5021
United States of America
2408 Massachusetts Avenue, NW
Washington, D.C. 20008
tel: (202) 797-1007
fax: (202) 265-0976
Consulate:
2001 North Soto Street
Los Angeles, CA 90032
tel: (213) 223-2020
Consulate:
918 20th Place West, Underwood Manor
Seattle, WA 98037
tel: (206) 742-3109
Zambia
5th Floor, Woodgate House, Cairo Road
PO Box 50425
Lusaka
tel: (260-1) 228 296/7/8
fax: (260-1) 223 353
Zimbabwe
42-44 Harare Street
PO Box 321
Harare
tel: (263-4) 752 137/9
fax: (263-4) 752 134
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