Visas for Malawi - Important Update

UK passport holders without visas in advance being denied travel

At Saturday 21 February, Lufthansa is denying travel from Edinburgh Airport to Malawi to UK passport holders who have not obtained a Malawi visa in advance.
This is allegedly because the International Air Travel Association (IATA) information available to ground service Menzies does not state that a visa can be purchased upon arrival in Malawi by UK passport holders.

Lufthansa has rejected a copy of a letter from Malawi’s immigration service which states that a visa is not required by UK passport holders prior to travel. They have also not accepted a letter from the Malawi High Commission specific to travellers bearing their passport numbers which states that they can get a visa upon arrival in Malawi and requesting that they be allowed to fly.

The SMP is working with the Malawi High Commission in London, the British High Commission in Lilongwe and Malawi’s Embassy in Berlin to ensure that the correct information be made available to ground staff and that legitimate travellers are not being denied boarding.

Until this is resolved, we strongly advise getting a visa in advance using the e-portal.