United States to Malawi visa requirements

US ordinary passport holders need a visa for Malawi. As of 3 January 2026 the visa-exemption for US citizens was withdrawn, so you must obtain an eVisa online at evisa.gov.mw before you travel. The single-entry tourist visa costs about USD 50 and allows a stay of up to 3 months. Malawi changed its visa policy for US nationals on 3 January 2026. During 2024 and most of 2025 US ordinary passport holders enjoyed visa-free entry, but Malawi cancelled the exemption for a long list of countries (including the US, UK, Canada, Australia, Japan and most of the EU) effective 3 January 2026. US citizens now require a visa, which is best obtained as an eVisa through the official Department of Immigration and Citizenship Services portal at evisa.gov.mw before departure. The standard single-entry "regular" visa costs USD 50 and permits a tourist stay of up to 3 months; multiple-entry 6-month (USD 150) and 12-month (USD 250) options exist for frequent visitors. Visas are normally issued within about 3 working days, though travelers are advised to apply 2-3 weeks ahead. A passport valid at least 6 months beyond arrival with a blank page is required, and a yellow fever certificate is required if arriving from or transiting (over 12 hours) a yellow-fever risk country. While Malawi historically operated a visa-on-arrival/eVisa-on-arrival channel and cash on arrival is still technically accepted (USD only, notes dated after 2017, no cards), the official guidance and airline boarding checks make pre-arranging the eVisa online the recommended and safest route. Malawi is not in the Schengen area, so the Schengen 90/180 rule and ETIAS do not apply.