Malawi
Country Specific Information

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February 11, 2008

 COUNTRY DESCRIPTION:Malawi map  Malawi is a developing landlocked country in southern Africa. Tourist facilities in major cities and in resort areas are steadily improving, but remain limited. Aging infrastructure and lack of investment have rendered electricity, water supply, and telecommunications unreliable in rural areas. Read the Department of State Background Notes on Malawi for additional information.


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ENTRY/EXIT REQUIREMENTS: A passport, return ticket, and adequate funds are required. U.S. citizens traveling to Malawi for tourism, transit or business for 30 days or less can obtain a visa at the airports or border points of entry. The 30-day visa may be extended up to an additional 60 days by the Malawi Department of Immigration prior to expiration. There is no guarantee your request will be granted.
Americans wishing to volunteer, study, conduct research or business for more than 90 days in Malawi are responsible for requesting the correct type of visa from the Malawian Embassy or Consulate, prior to traveling to Malawi. There is no guarantee requests for changing one's immigration category (e.g., from tourist to Temporary Employment Permit) will be granted. Foreign citizens whose primary purpose of travel is to participate in religious activities (voluntary or paid) should obtain a Temporary Employment Visa (TEP) rather than a tourist visa through their sponsoring organization or business. Malawian immigration authorities have fined, arrested, and deported American citizens who entered Malawi with a tourist visa and conducted other business or volunteer services.

American citizens are reminded that they are subject to Malawi’s laws. Persons that overstay their visa expiration date even unknowingly have been fined, arrested and deported.

There is an airport departure tax, which is payable only in U.S. dollars, for all non-Malawians. For the most current visa information, contact the Embassy of Malawi at 1029 Vermont Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20005, telephone (202) 721-0270.
Information about dual nationality or the prevention of international child abduction can be found on our web site. For further information about customs regulations, please read our Customs Information sheet.


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SAFETY AND SECURITY:   Spontaneous civil disturbances, primarily related to labor and student strikes, occur, but are uncommon. U.S. citizens should avoid crowds, political rallies and street demonstrations and maintain security awareness at all times.

For the latest security information, Americans traveling abroad should regularly monitor the Department of State, Bureau of Consular Affairs’ web site at http://travel.state.gov, where the current Travel Warnings and Travel Alerts, as well as the Worldwide Caution, can be found.

Up-to-date information on safety and security can also be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll free in the U.S. and Canada, or for callers outside the U.S. and Canada, a regular toll-line at 1-202-501-4444. These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).

The Department of State urges American citizens to take responsibility for their own personal security while traveling overseas. For general information about appropriate measures travelers can take to protect themselves in an overseas environment, see the Department of State’s pamphlet A Safe Trip Abroad.


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CRIME: Even though Malawi is known as "the warm heart of Africa," there is a criminal element present. Most crimes against Americans involve property. Carjacking and residential break-ins are prevalent throughout Malawi. Perpetrators of these crimes are usually well-armed and may resort to violence with little provocation. Petty street crime (robbery and pick-pocketing) is common, and break-ins have also occurred in hotels/lodges throughout the country.

American citizens are urged to avoid traveling on foot at night, especially in urban areas, as armed muggings and assaults have increased. Specifically, expatriates have been targeted in Lilongwe, and several Americans have been injured. Even when walking in a large group, city streets should be considered unsafe after dark. Pedestrians should be cautious even during daylight hours. Visitors in need of transportation should request that hotel or restaurant management call a taxi or car service.


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INFORMATION FOR VICTIMS OF CRIME: The loss or theft abroad of a U.S. passport should be reported immediately to the local police and the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate. If you are the victim of a crime while overseas, in addition to reporting to local police, please contact the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate for assistance. The Embassy/Consulate staff can, for example, assist you to find appropriate medical care, contact family members or friends and explain how funds could be transferred. Although the investigation and prosecution of the crime is solely the responsibility of local authorities, consular officers can help you to understand the local criminal justice process and to find an attorney if needed.

See our information on Victims of Crime.


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MEDICAL FACILITIES AND HEALTH INFORMATION: Medical facilities are rudimentary and most local medical providers do not speak English fluently. Medications are not consistently available; many American medications are not available at all. For any major medical problems, travelers should consider obtaining medical treatment in South Africa where advanced medical care is available. Purchasing medical evacuation insurance before travel is strongly recommended.

Health care institutions and providers require payment (primarily cash) at the time of service, and may even require payment before service is given. Minimal specialized care is available in Lilongwe and Blantyre.

Food-borne illnesses such as travelers’ diarrhea, giardiasis and hepatitis A occur commonly. Travelers are urged to avoid tap water, ice cubes and unsterilized raw fruits and vegetables. Bottled water is recommended for drinking and food preparation.

Schistosomiasis (also known as Bilharzia) and malaria are endemic in Malawi. Malaria prophylaxis is strongly advised, and initiating prophylaxis prior to traveling is recommended. Visitors should consult their physicians to learn about prophylaxis and the possible side effects of various available medications. In addition, other personal protective measures such as the use of insect repellents help to reduce malaria risk. Travelers who become ill with a fever or flu-like illness while traveling in a malaria-risk area, and up to one year after returning home, should seek prompt medical attention and tell the physician their travel history and what anti-malarial medications they have been taking. For additional information on malaria, protection from insect bites, and anti-malarial drugs, please visit the CDC travel health web site at http://www.cdc.gov/malaria/.

Trypanosomiasis (African Sleeping Sickness) is transmitted by the bite of a tsetse fly common to game parks in Malawi. Due to the potential complications of treating the disease, confirmed cases are medically evacuated for treatment.

HIV infection is endemic in the population. Travelers are advised to take appropriate precautions to limit the risk of transmission through blood or sexual contact. Tuberculosis is prevalent as well. Caution should be exercised if visiting crowded settings for prolonged periods of time, especially public hospitals and prisons.

Other health risks include typhoid, tetanus, and rabies. Vaccination for these diseases is advised. Additionally, cholera outbreaks have been reported in crowded villages with poor sanitation but are rare in cities.

Information on vaccinations and other health precautions, such as safe food and water precautions and insect bite protection, may be obtained from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s hotline for international travelers at 1-877-FYI-TRIP (1-877-394-8747) or via the CDC’s web site at http://wwwn.cdc.gov/travel/default.aspx. For information about outbreaks of infectious diseases abroad consult the World Health Organization’s (WHO) web site at http://www.who.int/en. Further health information for travelers is available at http://www.who.int/ith/en.


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MEDICAL INSURANCE: The Department of State strongly urges Americans to consult with their medical insurance company prior to traveling abroad to confirm whether their policy applies overseas and whether it will cover emergency expenses such as a medical evacuation. Please see our information on medical insurance overseas.


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TRAFFIC SAFETY AND ROAD CONDITIONS: While in a foreign country, U.S. citizens may encounter road conditions that differ significantly from those in the United States. The information below concerning Malawi is provided for general reference only, and may not be totally accurate in a particular location or circumstance.

Malawi's principal highways are generally in good condition, although safety hazards include the lack of road shoulders, frequent potholes and bicyclists. Secondary roads are in poor repair and may be impassable to all but four-wheel drive vehicles during the rainy season (November-April). Public transportation, consisting primarily of minibuses, is unreliable and accidents are common. Given Malawi's high road accident rate, travelers should drive defensively and avoid road travel outside cities at night. Road support networks for stranded drivers do not exist. Police roadblocks are common and properly documented drivers usually pass quickly and without incident. Foreigners intending to remain in Malawi for an extended period of time are expected to obtain a locally-issued driver's license.

Motor vehicle accidents are of great concern due to atypical road hazards. There are no medical facilities that provide comprehensive emergency care comparable to U.S. standards. Travelers should always wear seatbelts, minimize driving at night, and never drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

Please refer to our Road Safety page for more information. For specific information concerning Malawi driver's permits, vehicle inspection, road tax and mandatory insurance, contact the Embassy of Malawi in Washington, DC on (202) 721-0270. For international driving permits contact AAA or the American Automobile Touring Alliance.


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AVIATION SAFETY OVERSIGHT: As there is no direct commercial air service between the United States and Malawi, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has not assessed Malawi’s Civil Aviation Authority for compliance with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) aviation safety standards. For more information, travelers may visit the FAA’s web site at http://www.faa.gov/safety/programs_initiatives/oversight/iasa.


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SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES:   Wild animals may pose a danger. Travelers are advised that, even in the most serene settings, wild animals can pose a threat to life and safety. Travelers are cautioned to observe local or park regulations and heed all instructions given by tour guides.
Credit cards are not commonly accepted outside of major cities. There are a limited number of ATMs in Malawi that accept Visa, Mastercard and international ATM cards.

Dress codes against short skirts on women and long hair on men no longer exist, but travelers may wish to dress modestly, especially when visiting remote areas.

Please see our Customs Information.


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CRIMINAL PENALTIES: While in a foreign country, a U.S. citizen is subject to that country's laws and regulations, which sometimes differ significantly from those in the United States and may not afford the protections available to the individual under U.S. law. Penalties for breaking the law can be more severe than in the United States for similar offenses. Persons violating Malawi’s laws, even unknowingly, may be expelled, arrested or imprisoned. Penalties for possession, use, or trafficking in illegal drugs in Malawi are severe, and convicted offenders can expect long jail sentences and heavy fines. Engaging in sexual conduct with children or using or disseminating child pornography in a foreign country is a crime, prosecutable in the United States. Please see our information on Criminal Penalties.


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CHILDREN'S ISSUES: For information see our Office of Children’s Issues web pages on intercountry adoption and international parental child abduction.

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REGISTRATION / EMBASSY LOCATION: Americans living or traveling in Malawi are encouraged to register with the nearest U.S. Embassy through the State Department’s travel registration web site so that they can obtain updated information on travel and security within Malawi. Americans without internet access may register directly with the nearest U.S. Embassy. By registering, American citizens make it easier for the Embassy to contact them in case of emergency. The U.S. Embassy is located in Area 40, City Center, Lilongwe; telephone numbers are (265) 1-773-166, 1-773-342 and 1-773-367 (if dialing within Malawi add "0" before the "1"); fax (265) 1-774-976 (if dialing within Malawi add "0" before the "1"). The Embassy's mailing address is PO Box 30016, Lilongwe 3, Malawi.

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This replaces the Country Specific Information for Malawi dated July 20, 2007 to update the section on Entry/Exit Requirements.


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