UK warns its citizens travelling to Malawi of ‘muggers and bag snatchers’: Visa fees from 1 July

Britain is advising its citizen planning to visit Malawi that despite the country being peaceful they should be cautious about “muggers and bag-snatchers.”visa

In a statement posted on the UK government website, the British citizen are advised that most visits to Malawi are trouble-free, but “you should take sensible precautions to protect yourself from muggers and bag-snatchers.”

The statement said: “Most thefts from visitors take place around the main bus stations in Lilongwe and Blantyre, and at the main ports for the Ilala ferry.”

Britain has also advised its citizens that from 1 July 2015 Malawi will introduce a visa fee of $75 (K33 375) payable on arrival for UK visitors (and nationals of other countries that charge a visa fee for Malawian nationals).

According to a June 17 2015 circular addressed to ‘All Diplomatic Missions and International organisations accredited to the Republic of Malawi’, delivered to all diplomatic missions in the country, the visa payment shall exclude nationals from all Southern African Development Community (Sadc), Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (Comesa), diplomats and government officials.

UK nationals and those from the United States of America (USA) are among those who will be paying the fee.

“The Government of Malawi, through the Ministry of Home Affairs and Internal Security, has effective 1st July, 2015, introduced an entry fee of $75 into the Republic of Malawi for nationals whose countries require Malawians to pay visa fees,” reads the second paragraph of the circular.

Ministry of Home Affairs and Internal Security has said it is not aware of such a circular hich is bearing a stamp of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation has a signature at the bottom in blue ink but does also mention Ministry of Home Affairs and Internal Security as being party to the introduction of the new visa fees.

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Naphiri140
8 years ago

There is so many attractions in Malawi. If we can be strict and raise the visa price high our economy will be increased. There is so many British people that visit Malawi Student, tourist, volunteers. We are also a country we deserve respect.

Real Patriot
Real Patriot
8 years ago

Mr Ivan you shouldn’t generalise the situation as if all Malawians survives from British tax payers.The Britons too benefits from British projects in Malawi employing their own people,through administrative cost and others.Rich countries need countries like Malawi in another way.Rich countries have exploited poor countries by buying raw materials at a very cheap price and yet after processing them,they have made collosal profits.So don’t lie here as if Britain do not need countries like Malawi.British taxpayers do not pay our bills,pay fees for our kids.

Issa Kabudula
Issa Kabudula
8 years ago

The Visa issue, one day its on the next day is off – I don’t know our law makers mind set, learn from the let Bingu Wa Mutharika – apite means apite full stop. The minister will say one thing, the department is doing the opposite. As far as Britain and America are charging Malawi Visa to enter their country, from the poor Malawians – where is the problem there?. Yes out of frustration Britain can warn its Citizens of muggers and bag snatchers – still Malawi is the warm heart of Africa. The problems of bag snatching has been… Read more »

Chisaka mbawala
8 years ago

Britain sinatithandize colony yabwino ndi france ndi portugal this britols r self centred and only used us if it means poor on us let it be coz its the their elders wanted us to be

tamalankhoma
8 years ago

stupid ideas these british people are poor and rude better be a freand of a dog than them.jelousy, hash,rude notorious and bad company.

Mr-Ivan
Mr-Ivan
8 years ago

Some people should check their facts before making accusations. UK is NOT claiming that Malawi is not safe “as a response to visa fees” This is newspaper distortion. The advice for Malawi from the FCO hasn’t changed FOR MANY YEARS. In fact Malawi has one of the smallest advice posts in the whole of the FCO advice site. Certainly there is advice about taking care around the bus stations in Lilongwe and BT. Also a warning about the possibility of house breaking and carjacking. Are you trying to say this doesn’t happen? You only have to look at your own… Read more »

Wapsa tonola
8 years ago

Visa charge is also new born challenge to tourism industry in malawi

Learn2Fast
Learn2Fast
8 years ago

Everyone has a right to an opinion. However, the problem with many commentators write without understanding the deeper blow back regarding this visa charge. The UK and US do indeed demand a fee for it’s visas. This fee however is taking into consideration the US is in proximity with less developed countries in the south who would overwhelm it’s borders if there were no restrictions and fees. So is the case with the UK, where illegal migrants are flooding in. The US, UK and other developed countries can afford to regulate the amount of people to enter it’s borders without… Read more »

Otoche
Otoche
8 years ago

why the debate on the charge? every country has its own policies and programs as a state. why is it proper for uk, and the same not proper for Malawi. Wake up you people, wake up time is gone for licking and worshiping some so called master. we are going global cant you see? if the same is applied somewhere let Malawi also apply. Why are you britons introducing that warning now?

Chief Bag Snatcher
Chief Bag Snatcher
8 years ago

I look at Britain as our parent as our colonial masters. However I do correlate our poverty with their presence in our country as colonial masters. They are jealous people. How can Britain our parent describe us as bag snatchers and muggers on international podium, simply because of the tit for tat over visa.Revenge is always painful. I thought you are the same people who encouraged the government to implement its reforms. Now the government has started reforming with you, and you are complaining. With such approach, that’s why Bingu chased you guys. You have been taking Malawians for granted.… Read more »

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