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Malawi

Nationality · visas, permits and migration

Moved to OECD countries, 2023
679
Top destination, 2023
United States
U.S. non-immigrant visas, FY2025
2,043
UK visas issued, 2025
1,829
NationalityMWISO 3166
Year by year
Data as at 2025
NA<MWMALAWI<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
MW0<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<0

Visa requirements for a short visit

Whether citizens of Malawi need a visa for a short tourist or business visit, according to the legal lists. Rules change; check the official source before travelling.

DestinationShort visitLegal basis
Schengen areaVisa requiredRegulation (EU) 2018/1806 (consolidated 30.12.2025)
United KingdomVisa requiredImmigration Rules, Appendix Visitor / ETA National List
CanadaTemporary resident visa requiredIRPR s. 190, Schedule 1.1
Hong KongNo visa for visits of up to 90 daysImmigration Department (HKSAR), visit visa requirements, 31.12.2025
Source: Regulation (EU) 2018/1806 (consolidated 30 Dec 2025); UK Immigration Rules, Appendix Visitor and ETA National List; Canada IRPR s. 190 and Schedule 1.1; Immigration Department (HKSAR), visit visa requirements as at 31 Dec 2025Data as at Oct 2026

Where people from Malawi move

Inflows of foreign nationals by country of nationality, as recorded by each destination (OECD).

Inflows to OECD countries, 2023
  1. United States210
  2. Germany115
  3. Japan115
  4. Canada50
  5. Australia27
  6. South Korea26
  7. Norway24
  8. Italy18
  9. Netherlands17
  10. France17
  11. Sweden14
  12. New Zealand9
  13. Iceland9
  14. Belgium7
  15. Austria7

Inflows to all OECD countries by year

340679200020032006200920122015201820212023
3406792000200420082012201620202023
Data table
2000119
2001130
2002157
2003165
2004211
2005275
2006411
2007379
2008391
2009432
2010455
2011446
2012534
2013539
2014467
2015500
2016508
2017462
2018448
2019521
2020293
2021327
2022547
2023679
Share going to the top destination
30.9%
Destinations recording arrivals
15
Source: OECD, International Migration Database (OECD.ELS.IMD), accessed 24 Oct 2026Data as at 2023

Living abroad

People born in Malawi who live in another country: mid-year estimates of the international migrant stock (UN DESA). Where a destination records citizenship rather than country of birth, its foreign citizens are counted.

Largest destinations, 2024
  1. South Africa220,437
  2. Zimbabwe111,872
  3. Mozambique65,284
  4. Zambia17,796
  5. Tanzania6,678
  6. Australia1,853
  7. Botswana1,560
  8. Eritrea604
  9. Portugal586
  10. Namibia409
  11. Norway125
  12. Finland121

Living abroad by year

214k428k19901995200020052010201520202024
214k428k19902000201020202024
Data table
1990138,206
1995134,253
2000167,695
2005216,125
2010259,343
2015307,175
2020372,914
2024427,573
Living abroad, 2024
427,573
Change since 2000
+155.0%
Share living in the largest destination, 2024
51.6%
Source: United Nations, DESA Population Division, International Migrant Stock 2024 (CC BY 3.0 IGO)Data as at 2024

United States

Visas issued to citizens of Malawi by U.S. consulates (fiscal years, October–September) and certified PERM labor certifications.

Non-immigrant visas by class, FY2025
  1. B1/B21,196
  2. F1226
  3. A2147
  4. G294
  5. J189
  6. F276
  7. G475
  8. C1/D40
  9. A114
  10. H1B14

Non-immigrant visas by fiscal year

1,5753,150201720182019202020212022202320242025
1,5753,15020172019202120232025
Data table
20171,215
20182,030
20191,941
2020703
2021377
20221,923
20232,981
20243,150
20252,043
Immigrant visas by class, FY2025
  1. GV321
  2. DV20
  3. EW18
  4. GV114
  5. IR311
  6. IR59
  7. GV29
  8. IR27
Immigrant visas, FY2025
126
Certified PERM labor certifications, FY2024 (latest year with citizenship)
6
Source: U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Consular Affairs, monthly visa issuances (public domain); U.S. Department of Labor, OFLC PERM disclosure data (public domain)Data as at FY2025

Green cards and U.S. citizenship

People born in Malawi who became U.S. lawful permanent residents (green cards) or U.S. citizens, and admissions of citizens of Malawi with an I-94 record (DHS, fiscal years).

Green cards by fiscal year

1503002015201620172018201920202021202220232024
150300201520172019202120232024
Data table
2015160
2016210
2017230
2018260
2019210
2020200
2021170
2022180
2023200
2024300
Green cards by class of admission, FY2024
  1. Immediate relatives of U.S. citizens140
  2. Refugees and asylees90
  3. Employment-based preferences40
  4. Family-sponsored preferences10
  5. Diversity visa lottery10
Temporary worker admissions (I-94), FY2024
  1. Specialty occupations (H-1B)60
  2. Other temporary workers30
  3. Intracompany transferees (L-1)20
  4. Spouses and children20
Green cards, FY2024 (born in Malawi)
300
Naturalizations, FY2024 (born in Malawi)
140
I-94 admissions, FY2024 (citizenship)
4,180
Source: U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Office of Homeland Security Statistics, Yearbook of Immigration Statistics 2024 (public domain)Data as at FY2024

United Kingdom

Entry clearance visas issued to nationals of Malawi (Home Office) and students with a permanent address in Malawi (HESA).

Visas issued by group, 2025
  1. Visitor1,424
  2. Study168
  3. Work116
  4. Family69
  5. Other52

Visas issued by year

1,2502,500201020122014201620182020202220242025
1,2502,500201020132016201920222025
Data table
20101,962
20111,866
20121,779
20131,864
20141,596
20151,670
20161,661
20171,739
20182,046
20192,204
2020651
2021642
20221,953
20232,500
20242,131
20251,829
Students at UK universities, 2024/25
295
Source: Home Office, Immigration system statistics (year ending June 2026), Open Government Licence v3.0Data as at 2025

Canada

Permits and invitations for citizens of Malawi, by year the permit took effect (IRCC).

YearTFWP workIMP workStudyPermanent residentsExpress Entry invitations
20250015200
20240035350
20230025350
20220015200
20210010100
2020001050
2019051000
20180010100
201700550
2016005100
2015005150
Source: IRCC, monthly open data (rounded to the nearest 5). Open Government Licence – CanadaData as at 2025

Australia

Temporary skilled visas (subclass 457 to 2018, then 482) granted to primary applicants who are citizens of Malawi, by financial year ending 30 June (Home Affairs).

Primary visas granted by financial year

6122005–062007–082009–102011–122013–142015–162017–182019–202021–222023–242025–26
6122005–062009–102013–142017–182021–222025–26
Data table
2005–067
2006–078
2007–0812
2008–095
2009–103
2010–113
2011–125
2012–133
2013–142
2014–155
2015–164
2016–173
2017–181
2018–192
2019–207
2020–212
2021–226
2022–2312
2023–2411
2024–258
2025–2611
By stream, 2025–26
  1. Core Skills10
  2. Labour Agreement1
Granted, 2025–26
11
Share of all Australian grants, 2025–26
0.0%
Source: Department of Home Affairs (Australia), BP0014 Temporary Resident (skilled) visas granted, data locked at 30 Sep 2026 (data.gov.au, CC BY)Data as at 2025–26

Japan

Citizens of Malawi living in Japan at the end of each December, by status of residence (Immigration Services Agency of Japan). 2020 and 2021 were published only as database tables.

Foreign residents in Japan

1242482012201420162018202220242025
1242482012201420162018202220242025
Data table
201250
201355
201461
201566
2016101
2017108
2018114
2019123
2022147
2023175
2024208
2025248
By status of residence, December 2025
  1. Student70
  2. Dependent52
  3. Instructor43
  4. Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services39
  5. Spouse or Child of Japanese National12
  6. Permanent Resident9
  7. Designated Activities8
  8. Professor4
  9. Long-Term Resident4
  10. Trainee3
Residents, December 2025
248
In work-related statuses
90
Share in work-related statuses
36.3%
Students
70
Source: Immigration Services Agency of Japan, Statistics on Foreign Residents (在留外国人統計), Table 1, end of December (e-Stat; Government of Japan Standard Terms of Use 2.0)Data as at Dec 2025

Residence permits in Europe

First residence permits issued to citizens of Malawi in EU and EFTA countries, 2025 (Eurostat).

First permits by reason
  1. Education133
  2. Work101
  3. Other reasons62
  4. Family59
First permits by country
  1. Ireland89
  2. Germany62
  3. Norway42
  4. Poland20
  5. Spain19
  6. Netherlands19
  7. Italy18
  8. Iceland13
  9. Denmark11
  10. France8
  11. Sweden7
  12. Belgium7
Work permits by type, 2025
  1. EU Blue Card4
  2. Highly skilled workers (national schemes)14
  3. Researchers8
  4. Other paid activities75
EU Blue Cards granted, 2024
6
Citizenships acquired in the EU, 2024
132
Students in EU/EFTA tertiary education, 2024
291
Refused entry at EU external borders, 2025
10
Valid residence permits, 31 Dec 2025
1,994
Long-term residence permits issued, 2025
42
Changed status into work, 2025
19
Source: Eurostat (migr_resfirst, migr_resbc11, migr_acq, educ_uoe_mobs02, migr_eirfs, migr_pop1ctz), CC BY 4.0Data as at 2024–2025

National statistics in Europe

Citizens of Malawi in the figures of national statistics offices: residence permits granted in Denmark, immigrations by grounds for settlement in Sweden and immigrants with a non-EU/EFTA nationality by migration motive in the Netherlands; Finland and Austria publish immigration and emigration by citizenship only.

CountryYearAllWorkStudyFamilyProtectionOther or unknown
Denmark20251173100
CountryYearImmigrationEmigrationNet migration
Finland2025413
Austria2025510-5
Source: Danmarks Statistik, Statistikbanken VAN66 and VAN77M (CC BY 4.0); SCB (Statistics Sweden), Statistikdatabasen TAB1614 and TAB6670 (CC0); CBS (Statistics Netherlands), StatLine 84809NED (CC BY 4.0); Statistics Finland (Tilastokeskus), StatFin 11a8 (CC BY 4.0); Statistik Austria, OGD_bevwan020_AUSSENWAND_100 (CC BY 4.0)Data as at 2025

Foreign embassies and consulates in Malawi

Countries with an embassy or consulate in Malawi, as recorded in Wikidata.

CountryEmbassiesConsulates-generalConsulates
Brazil1——
China1——
Germany1——
Iceland1——
Ireland1——
Japan1——
Norway1——
Countries
7
Missions
7
Source: Wikidata (CC0)Data as at Oct 2026

Remittances

Money that migrants send home: personal remittances received by Malawi, in current US dollars (World Bank).

Remittances received by year, US$ million

1783552000200320062009201220152018202120242025
178355200020052010201520202025
Data table
20001
20011
20021
200314
200418
200523
200615
200721
200817
200917
201022
201125
201228
201334
201438
201541
201639
201779
2018181
2019281
2020232
2021355
2022294
2023213
2024224
2025306
Remittances received, 2025
US$306 million
Share of GDP, 2025
2.0%
Average cost of sending US$200 to Malawi, 2023
-49.7%
Source: World Bank, World Development Indicators (CC BY 4.0)Data as at 2025

Official data, not advice. Visa Atlas publishes figures from government registers and statistics. It does not assess eligibility or give immigration advice; for advice, consult a regulated adviser. Read more