Malawi has removed visa restrictions for travellers from 79 countries to boost tourism and trade in the East African country.
Malawi follows Kenya and Rwanda in opening up their countries for African travellers.
“This monumental decision isn’t just about visas; it’s about unleashing the untapped potential of our beloved Malawi and inviting the world to experience its wonders first-hand,” Tourism Minister Vera Kamtukule told local media.
The Homeland Security Minister Ken Zikhałe, in a gazette notice on Wednesday, amended the immigration regulations – effectively lifting visa barriers for citizens from the UK, China, Russia, Germany, Australia, Canada, Belgium, Ghana, The Gambia, Sierra Leone, France and others, BBC reports.
Nationals from the Southern African Development Community (Sadc) and the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (Comesa) are also exempt from visa requirements.
This excludes countries that impose visa requirements on Malawian citizens.
The validity of multiple entry visas in Malawi is now up to 12 months, according to the new visa regulations.