Malawi in ‘tit-for-tat’ visa regime by Oct 1: Minister says UK, US, nationals to pay entry fee
Foreign nationals whose countries require Malawians to pay visa to enter their countries will now be required to pay visa to enter Malawi effective 1st October 2015.
A US$75 ‘entry fee’ for visitors from countries that require Malawian citizens to have a visa to visit their country is payable upon arrival for visitors from the UK, the US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and most Middle East countries, among others.
The announcement made in Lilongwe on Monday evening cuts a long time regime where Malawi government allowed foreign nationals from visa paying countries to enter the country without visa.
Minister of Home Affairs and Internal Security, Dr. Jean Kalilani when making the announcement, however, said the changes will not affect: Nationals from the Southern African Development Community (SADC) countries, except Angola; nationals from the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA); Diplomats and Government officials; and nationals from all countries that do not require Malawian nationals to pay visa fees when traveling to such countries.
“The validity of multiple entry visas (6 months and 12 months) shall reciprocate to the validity of multiple entry visa in the corresponding country,” said Kalilani
“This decision is normal for reasons of security matters; you cannot just have people just entering the country anyhow, there must be a control and one of them is this visa regime.” added the Minister when asked some of the reasons that necessitated government to implement the new visa regime.
The minister has therefore played down rumour that the decision was anything to do with increasing revenue source base as a result of the current economic situation.
But said, government wants to reciprocate visa regime its citizens are being subjected to when they travel to such countries.
Kalilani explained that the new regime was gazetted on 1st July this year, but implementation has been extended to 1st October this year in order to give adequate notices to travelling foreign nationals and the travel industry.
“Travellers are strongly encouraged to obtain their visas well in advance at their nearest Malawi Diplomatic Mission to avoid unnecessary inconveniences at the port of entry,” warned Kalilani
She also advised that visa applications can also be made through online requests using Immigration Department website (www.immigration.gov.mw) and that payments may be made through the same Malawi Embassies, Consulate Offices or at port of entry.
Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV :
To concur with Chiwoko
Yet there is a full ministry of tourism. One wonders what they are paid for.
Has Malawi got an idea of how many Foreigners come to Malawi on tourism. “Malawi is beautiful” what a load of Rubbish. This is delusional. There are more beautiful countries in Africa with far better things to offer to a tourist than Malawi. I have a friend whose entire life is travelling the world. He was very disappointed with Malawi. There is no tourist Office to get details etc He has visited over 15 other countries in Africa and over 40 countries worldwide. When he was in Malawi he found only met one other tourist at Makokola the rest were… Read more »
It might be a good idea or it might not be a good idea. But what i see here is decisions made without research. Have they checked what other countries similar to malawi are doing with regards to visas? Have they considered the financial implications whether positive or negative and done a proper cost benefit analysis based on incoming travelers? Did they consider the balance between foreigners and mw travellers and made political and economical decision based on statistics? Anyway, I’ve lost hope in this rubbish of a country.. I haven’t seen anyone doing anything to change the miserable state… Read more »
@56 pathetic comment. Shame on you
This is music to my ears. Malawians let us be patriotic and support this. Those who really wish to visit the country will visit. How does a Malawian, earning less than a dollar a day afford hefty visa fees to these countries? How much has Malawi developed with or without these fees anyway? The west (worst) are nothing but selfish. They only invest where they have smelt gold…….. wake up Malawi and stop being naive. Bravo to the Minister …bold move. After all are they not rich nations?
If somebody can afford to buy a ticket and have money to spend in Malawi,why should they fail to pay the Visa fee if they are really serious of coming down here?.Just because Malawi is not rich as US and UK,then it should be waiting for every decision from the West!Well done Kalirani.Its time you also improved the lives of Malawians.
Alex Likoswe youj are an examle of why Malawi is static! does it matter what the lady is wearing? do you not have enough brain to contribute usefully to this debate? for your information no it is not a school uniform it s expensive co-ordianted tire and it is none of your business thick head!
Kunenepa ngati nkhumba… This will backfire badly
$50 is just too little,malawi is too beautiful
Reading some comments here, I can see that Basic Economics has to be introduced at primary schools in Malawi. UMBULU okhaokha, Visa for tourists? Introduce taxes on mansions, high powered vehicles and alcohol.