Malawi will from Saturday implement a revised visa regime that eases travel for certain regional partners while tightening requirements for others, Homeland Security Minister Peter Mukhito announced in a notice published on Friday in the Government Gazette.
Under the new rules, nationals of countries that share regional blocs with Malawi and do not impose visa requirements on Malawians will be exempt from visas.
Conversely, countries – including those within the same blocs – that require Malawians to obtain visas will now face reciprocal obligations when entering Malawi.
Regional groupings covered by the exemptions include the Commonwealth, Southern African Development Community, Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa, the African Union and the African Development Bank.
Additional exemptions apply to United Nations staff and holders of diplomatic passports on official duty.
Nationals of several countries outside these blocs such as Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Bahamas, Haiti, Jamaica, Malaysia, and Trinidad and Tobago will also be able to enter Malawi without visas.
Officials said the revised policy is designed to promote fairness and reciprocity in international travel while safeguarding Malawi’s sovereignty.
JN/APA