Malawi’s tourism sector has decried the country’s implementation of a reciprocal visa policy that requires travellers from numerous previously visa-exempt countries to apply for e-visas at costs of between US$50 for single entry (for a maximum stay of 90 days) to US$250 for multiple entries.
The policy, which requires travellers from all countries that subject Malawians to visa requirements to apply for an e-visa, was officially gazetted by Minister of Homeland Security Peter Mukhito on January 2. The list of countries includes all of Malawi’s top overseas tourism source markets.
Apart from member states of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), just 22 countries, dominated by Caribbean, Pacific Island and Asian nations, are left on the visa exemption list.
Chris Badger, Founder and MD of Central African Wilderness Safaris, said the majority of the country’s tourism industry view the move as a U-turn from previous efforts to enhance ease of access.
“A few years ago, new visa fees were introduced for certain countries, which were key supporters of Malawi’s travel industry, such as the US and the UK. However, after consulting with local lodges, hotels and tour operators, the government revoked these fees having listened to the trade’s view that Malawi should be making it as easy as possible to visit,” said Badger, referring to the 2024 expansion of Malawi’s visa waiver list to 79 countries.
He said the reciprocal visa policy was implemented despite pushback from the Malawi Tourism Council, the official umbrella body representing private-sector role-players.
“It is disappointing that a policy that had been widely discussed and agreed as counter- productive has now been instated with no input from the trade.”
Finance Minister Joseph Mwanamvekha first mentioned the policy in a statement in October last year.
“Government will implement a reciprocity visa regime, ensuring that Malawi’s visa policies reflect fair, balanced and mutually respectful treatment between Malawi and other nations. Under this policy direction, government will align visa requirements for foreign nationals with the treatment Malawian citizens receive abroad,” Mwanamvekha said.
However, Badger previously described the move as a “knee-jerk” reaction to critical shortages of funding, particularly foreign exchange.
He cautioned that the policy could be detrimental to Malawi’s tourism competitiveness, pointing out that many other Southern African countries are relaxing visa requirements.
