Do Chinese Citizens Need a Malawi Visa in 2026? China Guide

Chinese citizens travelling from China should obtain Malawi visa approval before departure unless the official Malawi e-Visa eligibility tools confirm a different arrangement for their passport and travel purpose. Malawi’s official e-Visa system allows travellers to apply online, pay online and receive an approval letter by email; the portal says applications are processed within three working days.

Quick answer: Apply through Malawi’s official e-Visa portal at evisa.gov.mw, not through a private visa-agent website. The official Immigration Department currently lists a US$75 single-entry visa fee, while the official e-Visa FAQ lists US$50 for a single-entry visa; because official pages conflict, confirm the amount displayed in the official checkout before payment.

Last checked August 2026 — always confirm with official sources before travelling.

This article is informational content, not legal advice. Immigration rules, nationality categories, airline boarding practices and fees can change.

Malawi visa for Chinese citizens: quick requirements table

Question	Current guidance
Do Chinese citizens need a visa?	Chinese travellers should check the official Malawi e-Visa eligibility tools and obtain approval before departure where required. Independent visa guidance identifies Chinese citizens as eligible for Malawi’s e-Visa, but the official portal is the authority to use before booking travel.
Where should an application be made?	Use Malawi’s official e-Visa portal, evisa.gov.mw.
How long does processing take?	The official e-Visa FAQ states three working days.
What must be carried for travel?	A copy of the approved e-Visa approval letter is mandatory before travel and must be shown at passport control.
How is payment made?	The official FAQ says payment is online in US dollars by credit or debit card; the Immigration Department specifies Visa or Mastercard.
Are fees refundable?	No. The official e-Visa FAQ and Immigration Department both state that fees are non-refundable if an application is rejected.

Visa types and who needs one

Malawi’s official e-Visa portal says that an e-Visa is an official document permitting entry into Malawi and that travellers can apply through the portal by providing the required details and making an online payment.

For Chinese nationals, begin with the official eligibility checker or application flow rather than relying on a historic visa-waiver article, an airline summary or a commercial intermediary. Malawi’s notice effective 24 February 2026 separates nationalities into Category One countries, whose nationals must obtain a visa or prior authorisation before departure, and Category Two countries, whose nationals may obtain a visa on arrival at designated ports of entry. The notice does not identify China in the text provided here, so the live official portal is the correct place to confirm China’s current category.

Malawi’s official fee information lists transit visas, single-entry visas, six-month multiple-entry visas and 12-month multiple-entry visas. Choose the category that matches the purpose and number of entries shown in the official application process; do not assume that a single-entry approval can be used to leave and return.

Travellers comparing regional entry rules may find SafariFind’s guide on Malawi visa requirements for Singaporean citizens useful as a reminder that nationality-specific rules can differ. It is not a substitute for checking the Chinese-passport result on Malawi’s official system.

How Chinese citizens can apply for a Malawi e-Visa

1. Use the official Malawi e-Visa portal

Start at evisa.gov.mw, Malawi’s Department of Immigration and Citizenship Services e-Visa portal. The official site says applicants provide the required details, make an online payment and receive email notification after submitting an application.

Avoid confusing the government portal with commercial processing sites. One private provider explicitly states that it is independent of the Malawi Government and charges both government and service fees, meaning the total can be higher than applying directly with the authorities.

2. Select the appropriate visa category

Select the visa type that corresponds to your itinerary, such as transit, single entry or multiple entry. The official sources confirm the available fee categories, but they do not provide a complete public document checklist in the material reviewed for this article. Follow the documents and upload instructions displayed for your application on the live official portal.

3. Prepare clear digital documents

The portal’s FAQ refers to uploading passport, photograph and, where applicable, residence-permit files, confirming that these may be requested in the e-Visa application. An independent guide for Chinese applicants additionally lists a valid passport, a passport-style photo and return or onward travel evidence; treat that list as practical guidance rather than a replacement for the current portal checklist.

Before submitting, compare every name, passport number and date with the biographical page of the passport. The official sources in this research do not publish a separate correction process or a guaranteed amendment timeline, so an applicant should not assume that a submitted error can be fixed quickly.

4. Pay on the government site and keep your records

The official e-Visa FAQ says applications are paid online in US dollars using credit or debit cards. The Department of Immigration fee page specifies Visa or Mastercard. Save the application reference, payment confirmation and the email address used for the application, as the official FAQ says that applicants can check their application status through the e-Visa web portal.

5. Download and print the approval letter

Once approved, the e-Visa approval letter can be accessed through the applicant’s e-Visa account, and an access link is also sent in an email notification. Malawi says a copy of the approval letter is mandatory before travelling and must be shown at passport control. Carry a printed copy with your passport and retain a digital backup.

Malawi visa fees and payment for travellers from China

The official sources currently conflict on the single-entry amount. Malawi’s Department of Immigration fee page lists a single-entry visa at US$75, while the official e-Visa FAQ lists a single-entry visa at US$50. Both official pages list transit at US$50, six-month multiple entry at US$150 and 12-month multiple entry at US$250.

Visa type	Official e-Visa FAQ	Immigration fee page
Transit	US$50	US$50
Single entry	US$50	US$75
Multiple entry, six months	US$150	US$150
Multiple entry, 12 months	US$250	US$250

Because the single-entry fee is inconsistent across official pages, use the fee shown in the official portal for your chosen application and confirm the current fee before payment. Do not budget from an agent’s advertised total, which may include an additional service charge.

Official sources say e-Visa fees are non-refundable if the application is rejected. Submit only when the details and supporting files are complete.

Visa costs are separate from a safari itinerary’s accommodation, transport, guide, conservation or park charges. Travellers can compare safari packages on SafariFind, but should ask each operator which costs are included rather than treating a visa fee as part of a safari package price.

Processing times and visa validity

Malawi’s official e-Visa FAQ states that e-Visa applications are processed within three working days. This is a processing estimate, not a guarantee that an approval will be issued by a particular flight date. Apply sufficiently ahead of travel to allow for portal requests, payment issues or a decision that takes longer than expected.

The official material reviewed confirms six-month and 12-month multiple-entry visa categories, but it does not state a standard permitted stay for Chinese visitors on a single-entry e-Visa. Read the approval letter and visa conditions issued for your own application, and confirm any intended length of stay with Malawi Immigration before travel.

Do not confuse the validity of a multiple-entry visa category with permission to remain in Malawi continuously for the same number of months. The research does not establish a universal stay limit for Chinese passport holders, so rely on the issued approval and official immigration guidance.

Arrival in Malawi: immigration checks and visa on arrival

At the border, present your passport and the e-Visa approval letter. Malawi’s official portal specifically says the approval letter must be shown to passport control for verification and that a copy is mandatory before travel.

Although Malawi’s February 2026 notice says Category Two nationals may obtain a visa on arrival at designated ports, it strongly encourages eligible travellers to apply before departure through the official e-Visa portal to reduce delays and support smoother travel arrangements. Chinese travellers should not assume visa-on-arrival eligibility unless the official portal or Malawi Immigration confirms that China is in the eligible category for their trip.

Airlines may require proof that you meet entry conditions before boarding. A printed approval letter is therefore a sensible travel document even if you also have the email available on a phone.

Transit, extensions and overstays

Malawi’s official fee pages list a transit visa at US$50. Whether a transit visa is needed for a particular routing, airport transfer or period outside an airside transit area depends on the itinerary and current immigration rules; confirm this directly with Malawi Immigration or through the official portal before departure.

The official sources reviewed do not provide a published extension procedure, extension fee or overstay penalty for Chinese travellers. Do not rely on an assumption that a visa can be extended after arrival. If your itinerary may change, ask Malawi Immigration for written current guidance before travel and comply with the date and conditions shown on your approval.

Health entry requirements are separate from visa approval. For context on Malawi’s approach to travel health documentation, see SafariFind’s Malawi vaccinations and health rules guide; requirements can depend on where a traveller has been, not only on passport nationality.

Common Malawi e-Visa mistakes and rejection risks

• Using an unofficial website: Apply through evisa.gov.mw. Private providers may add service charges and are not government authorities.
• Paying before checking the live fee: The official sources currently show different single-entry amounts. Confirm the amount in the official portal before completing payment.
• Applying too close to departure: The stated processing time is three working days, so do not leave the application until the day before a flight.
• Travelling without the letter: Malawi states that a copy of the approval letter is mandatory before travel and is shown to passport control.
• Assuming a refund is available: E-Visa fees are non-refundable following a rejection.
• Assuming China’s category from a third-party article: Check the official eligibility tools because Malawi’s 2026 notice applies different rules to Category One and Category Two nationalities.
• Confusing visa permission with safari arrangements: A visa approval does not confirm accommodation, domestic flights, park access or safari inclusions. Confirm those separately with your operator.

For another example of why official eligibility checks matter, SafariFind’s Malawi visa guide for Emirati citizens explains the same practical principle: passport nationality and the current official category determine the route to entry.

Verification note: Last checked August 2026 — always confirm with official sources before travelling.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do Chinese citizens need a visa for Malawi?

Chinese citizens should check Malawi’s official e-Visa eligibility tools and obtain visa approval before departure where required. Malawi’s official February 2026 notice uses nationality categories for visa-on-arrival eligibility, while independent guidance identifies Chinese citizens as eligible to apply for a Malawi e-Visa.

Can Chinese citizens apply for a Malawi visa online?

Yes, Malawi operates an official e-Visa portal at evisa.gov.mw. The portal says applicants submit required details, pay online and receive an approval decision after processing.

How much is a Malawi visa for Chinese citizens in 2026?

The official sources conflict on the single-entry fee: the e-Visa FAQ says US$50, while Malawi Immigration’s fee page says US$75. Confirm the current fee in the official application portal before paying.

How long does a Malawi e-Visa take for Chinese citizens?

Malawi’s official e-Visa FAQ states that applications are processed within three working days. This is not a guarantee of approval by a particular travel date, so apply well before departure.

Do Chinese travellers need to print the Malawi e-Visa approval letter?

Yes, Malawi says a copy of the e-Visa approval letter is mandatory before travelling. The letter must be shown to passport control for verification, so carry a printed copy as well as a digital backup.

Can Chinese citizens get a Malawi visa on arrival?

Only nationals in Malawi’s Category Two countries are eligible for visa on arrival at designated ports under the notice effective 24 February 2026. Because the notice text does not identify China, Chinese travellers should confirm their current category on the official portal and obtain approval before departure where required.

Are Malawi e-Visa fees refundable if an application is refused?

No, Malawi’s official e-Visa FAQ says fees are non-refundable if an application is rejected. The Department of Immigration fee page gives the same warning.

How do Chinese applicants pay for a Malawi e-Visa?

Malawi says e-Visa payments are made online in US dollars using credit or debit cards. The Immigration Department fee page specifies Visa or Mastercard.

What documents do Chinese citizens need for a Malawi e-Visa?

Follow the document list shown in the live official portal for your visa category. The official FAQ refers to passport, photograph and, where applicable, residence-permit uploads; independent Chinese-applicant guidance also lists passport, photo and onward-travel evidence.

Is a Malawi transit visa available for Chinese travellers?

Yes, Malawi’s official fee information lists a transit visa at US$50. Confirm whether your specific connection requires one with Malawi Immigration or through the official portal before travelling.