Malawi passport 320 % price hike criticised

Malawi government has been criticised for the 320 percent  increase in passport fees which Consumer Association of Malawi (Cama) has described it as “bribe hike.”

Immigration Department  announced in a statement seen by Nyasa Times that the new fees were effective November 1.

The ordinary passport which lasts for 20 days to be processed has increased to MK48, 500 from MK15,100.

The Express type of passports is now at MK58, 500 from MK25, 100 and takes 5 days to get done.

The Emergency passport has been hiked from MK35, 100 to MK85, 500 and takes 2 days to be effective.

On the other hand, the Diplomatic passport which takes 5 days to be processed is now at MK85, 000 to MK30, 100.

The hike has also seen the Service type of passport be pegged at MK55, 500 from MK19, 500 and takes 5 days to get fully processed

But CAMA boss John Kapito said the staggering prices increase is uncalled for, fearing it will “worsen corruption levels” at Immigration Department.

He said the bribery practices of Immigration officials will also be increased.

But Chief Immigration Officer, Hudson Mankhwala, played down fears of bribes, saying with the increase the service delivery will improve as applicants will now be meeting full costs of producing the passport document.