Malawi: visa and entry rules

Malawi's borders: every crossing point

Malawi's land border crossings, by the neighbours it shares a border with:

With Zambia: Mchinji in the west, on the Lilongwe - Lusaka road.

With Tanzania: Songwe in the north, by the lake.

With Mozambique: Mwanza, Dedza, Mulanje and Nachingwea — there are many crossings, as the country is long and borders Mozambique along its entire length.

There is no access to the sea, and freight traffic goes through the Mozambican ports of Beira and Nacala.

Lake Malawi is a border too: the boundaries with Tanzania and Mozambique run through it, and shipping on it is domestic.

The main way in is Kamuzu International Airport in Lilongwe and Chileka Airport in Blantyre.

Bringing a car into Malawi

Traffic drives on the left.

Temporary import into Malawi is handled under local rules, and those differ from country to country and change: find out the permitted period and whether a carnet is required in advance.

Insurance has to be local, and it is bought at the border.

An International Driving Permit is required.

Travelling to Malawi with a pet

An international veterinary certificate is required, certified by the state veterinary service of the country you are leaving.

A rabies vaccination must be valid on the date of entry.

An import permit is obtained in advance from the veterinary service.

Before bringing an animal into Malawi, check with two authorities: the country's veterinary service and your carrier. Either of the two lists can stop you.

Overstaying your visa in Malawi

A fine is charged for exceeding your permitted stay and is paid on departure.

The amount is calculated at the moment of departure. Published rates for Malawi contradict one another and go out of date — count on cash and an extra hour at the border.

Extensions are arranged in advance, before the permitted period expires.

For a serious overstay — deportation and an entry ban.