Malawi has become the latest African country to propose a reciprocal visa policy that would revoke visa-free access for travellers from many previously visa-exempt countries, including top source markets such as the US and the UK.
The policy change was briefly announced by Malawi’s Minister of Finance Joseph Mwanmvekha on November 21 as part of a set of non-tax measures to bolster the economy.
“Visa-free access to Malawi is being revoked with immediate effect and a visa application fee will apply on a reciprocity basis,” said Mwanmvekha in his 2025/26 mid-year budget review statement.
Joseph Nkosi, Public Relations Officer at the Ministry of Tourism, subsequently confirmed to Tourism Update that the reciprocity proposal will first head to Malawi’s Parliament for approval.
In 2024, Malawi added 79 countries to its visa exemption list but many of these will be removed if the proposed change is affected. These include other top outbound travel markets such as Germany, France, Canada, Italy, The Netherlands and Australia. Currently, only 41 countries grant visa-free access to Malawians – most of these in Africa.
Nkosi said the government believes the move will have minimal impact on tourism.
“As government, we don’t think this policy change will have an impact on the country’s economy mainly when we consider the number of international arrivals. As a country, we were also able to monitor the arrival trends when the visas were waived.”
Mike Varndell, CEO of Crafted Africa, said, with high levels of competition in the Southern and East African regional tourism market, alignment of visa pricing with neighbouring countries is essential.
“If Malawi becomes the most expensive or most complicated entry point in the region, travellers (and operators like us) will simply re-route. Southern Africa is a competitive market — travellers have options.”
Visa fees for Malawi range from US$50 for a seven-day transit visa to US$75 for a single-entry visa valid for up to 90 days.
Varndell emphasised the need for a seamless application and approval process.
“High-value travellers, fam trips, group tours, corporate delegations… none can afford uncertainty at borders. A visa system that’s slow, offline, unclear or inconsistent will cost Malawi far more in lost business than any visa fee could ever bring in.”
Namibia also implemented a visa reciprocity system from April 1 this year but coordinated this shift with the launch of a visa-on-arrival system. Despite tourism industry concerns that the policy would affect arrivals, the country recorded average hotel occupancy rates exceeding pre-COVID levels for the high season from July to October.
