Malawi ends visa requirements for 79 nations

Malawi has become the latest country to scrap visa requirements for many nationalities. Nationals of 79 countries can visit Malawi without needing a visa.

There seems to be a growing trend for many countries to open up their borders, since the pandemic.

This is intended to facilitate business and to grow tourism.

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MALAWI AMENDS VISA REQUIREMENTS

Business Insider reports that Malawi’s Minister of Homeland Security, Ken Zikhałe announced the amendment of the country’s immigration regulations.

The change removes visa restrictions citizens for nationals of the United Kingdom, China, Russia, Germany, Australia, Canada, Belgium, Ghana, Gambia, Sierra Leone, and France, among others.

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79 COUNTRIES NOW VISA-EXEMPT

Malawi’s government has decided to exempt selected countries from its visa requirements since they have the potential to serve as important tourism source markets for Malawi.

This is in an attempt to ramp up international tourism and business travel to Malawi, which is experiencing a scarcity of foreign currency.

VISA ABOLITION AGREEMENTS

It is a common practice for countries to grant visa-free entry to nations that reciprocate the privilege.

Malawi’s new visa exemption arrangement extends to nationals of some countries that do not impose visa requirements on its citizens.

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SADC NATIONS VISA-EXEMPTED

Passport holders from the Southern African Development Community (Sadc) and the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (Comesa) are also free from visa requirements.

As South Africa is a SADC member, SA passport holders do not need visas for entry to Malawi.

VISITING MALAWI

Malawi is an interesting landlocked country located in central Africa. It is often called the ‘Warm heart of Africa’ since the locals are known to be extremely hospitable.

The country is home to the vast Lake Malawi which offers fishing and watersport activities. Lake Malawi is the fifth-largest freshwater lake in the world by volume.

There are various lodges dotted around the lake, offering comfortable and affordable stays.

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