Visa Information / Entry requirements – Malawi

This page reflects the UK government’s understanding of current rules for people travelling on a full ‘British Citizen’ passport from the UK, for the most common types of travel.

The authorities in Malawi set and enforce entry rules. If you’re unsure how Malawi’s entry requirements apply to you, contact its UK embassy, high commission or consulate.

Check your passport and travel documents before you travel

Passport validity

Your passport should be valid for minimum period of 6 months on arrival in Malawi.

Visas

As of early 2026, Malawi has reinstated a visa-free regime for several nationalities (including UK, USA, and many EU countries) to boost tourism. You should update this to reflect that it is now visa-free for short stays.

Travelling with children via a South African airport

If you’re transiting through a South African airport with children (under 18), see our South Africa travel advice page for information and advice about the documents you’ll need to carry.

Yellow fever certificate requirements

Check whether you need a yellow fever certificate by visiting the National Travel Health Network and Centre’s TravelHealthPro website.

UK Emergency Travel Documents

UK Emergency Travel Documents (ETDs) are accepted for entry, airside transit, and exit from Malawi. ETDs must be valid for 6 months for entry into Malawi if the holder is not a returning resident.

Tourism Health Information – Malawi

If you have a health condition, or you are pregnant, you may need specialist healthcare abroad. Check whether your destination country can provide the healthcare you may need and ensure you have appropriate travel insurance for unexpected medical evacuation or local treatment.

At least 8 weeks before your trip, check the latest country-specific health advice from the National Travel Health Network and Centre (NaTHNaC) on the TravelHealthPro website. Each country-specific page has information on vaccine recommendations, any current health risks or outbreaks, and factsheets with information on staying healthy abroad. Guidance is also available from NHS (Scotland) on the FitForTravel website.

General information on travel vaccinations and a travel health checklist is available on the NHS website. You may then wish to contact your health adviser or pharmacy for advice on other preventive measures and managing any pre-existing medical conditions while you’re abroad.

The legal status and regulation of some medicines prescribed or purchased in the UK can be different in other countries. If you’re travelling with prescription or over-the-counter medicine, read this guidance from NaTHNaC on best practice when travelling with medicines. For further information on the legal status of a specific medicine, you’ll need to contact the embassy, high commission or consulate of the country or territory you’re travelling to.

While travel can be enjoyable, it can sometimes be challenging. There are clear links between mental and physical health, so looking after yourself during travel and when abroad is important. Information on travelling with mental health conditions is available in our guidance page. Further information is also available from the National Travel Health Network and Centre (NaTHNaC).

Weather & When To Go To Malawi

Travellers often asked, “When is the best time to go to Malawi?“. The answer is often not as simple as you might think, depending on many things, including the traveler’s interests, the exact time of visit and the reasons why they are travelling. One person’s top time to go to Malawi can be another person’s worst! 

Below we have given a broad guide to the weather and climate of Malawi. Due to global warming, weather patterns all over Africa are becoming increasingly unpredictable; there are downpours in the middle of deserts, and destructive droughts when rainfall is expected. 

The precipitation in Malawi comes mainly in December, January, February and March, though the rains arrive slightly earlier and leave slightly later the further north you are, and Malawi’s higher areas receive more rainfalls. 

Most of the rain has faded by April and May, leaving a green landscape, which is starting to dry out. Especially in higher and more southerly locations, night-time temperatures start to fall. 

In June, July and August, the nights become a lot cooler, although the days are still warm and clear. Some can get very cold, needing you to wrap up warm, for example if you are out at night – on a night game drive. This is the start of the so called ‘peak season’ for Malawi – with many cloudless days and increasing game sightings. 

Into September and October, the temperatures climb once again, so parts of the Malawi get quite hot especially the low-lying areas around the lake. 

November is a variable month: It can be hot and dry like the weather in October; it can also see the season’s first downpours. November is often an interesting month; occasionally on successive days you can even see both weather patterns.