You don't need to obtain one beforehand, you can still get one on arrival according to Timatic
You do need a visa however, according to the Malawi embassy in Washington
and they don't mention anything about visas on arrival.
You could always request one before leaving to be safe, as the processing time is just 5 days .
They've introduced visa requirements for Europeans and Asians and for those who can get one on arrival
it's unclear what the procedure is The Government of Malawi will issue visas within Malawi but procedures for obtaining them have not yet been published.
travel.stackexchange.com/users/9551/blackbird
Yes, United States nationals are among those who need a visa when going to Malawi, according to the Embassy of the Republic of Malawi web site Application Requirements To apply for a Visa, the Passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond the date of intended departure.
TYPES OF VISA |
COST: Tourist and Business Validity Transit (7 days)
US $70.00 3 months single entry from date of issue
US $100.00 6 months multiple entry from date of issue US
$220.00 One year multiple entry from date of issue US $300.00 Application Requirements
2 application forms
Visa Application Forms 2
Passport-size photos Fees can be paid by money order, bank certified check or cash (The Embassy will not accept personal checks as a form of payment)
Onward ticket Valid Passport (at least six months before expiry date with enough unused pages) Copy of a letter from the applicant’s Organization or invitation letter.
Copy of sponsor’s Residential Status in Malawi (
i.e. Permit or Malawi Passport
if Malawian) Return Pre-Paid Envelope addressed to the applicant.
Please note: Application and all required documents MUST be sent in DUPLICATE to the Consular section at the Embassy.
In most cases, applications will be processed in 5 working days.
However, for nationals of India, Nigeria, Bangladesh, China, Burundi, Rwanda and Pakistan, applications may take up to 4 weeks.
Drop off time: 09:30 am to 12:30pm from Mondays to Thursdays.
travel.stackexchange.com/users/30343/Giorgio
Okay, while all the answers here were awesome, I got mixed responses.
So I ended up contacting the US Consulate in Lilongwe, Malawi.
Here was their response: Entry visas for U.S. travelers are available upon arrival in Malawi at both of the international airports, Lilongwe and Blantyre, as well as at border crossings.
You will have to complete a one-page visa application form and pay the USD $75 (U.S. dollars only)
but it’s fairly routine at this point.
I’m
copying our official announcement below for your reference.
http://lilongwe.usembassy.gov/service/routine-messages2/entry-fee-for-malawi2.html
travel.stackexchange.com/users/24390/TravelLikeBeaker
Visas on Arrival are available only in cases where a standard visa can not be obtained (ie in countries without a Malawi consular post, extended travel away from your country of residence, etc).
Approval for a VOA needs to be obtained before you arrive from the Immigration Department in Malawi.
You can't just simply hop on a plane and be granted a VOA.
As the US has a Malawi Embassy, you likely will be limited to getting the visa through them.
http://www.immigration.gov.mw/visa.html
travel.stackexchange.com/users/None/
I am an American that live in Malawi Visas as issued at the International Airport upon arrival in Lilongwe Visas can be obtained at the Border crossings by filling a one page Visa document There are several types of visas but please note that although your Visa may be valid for 3, 6 or 12 months (single or multiple entry) you must check in at the nearest Immigrations Office after 30 days in the country.
travel.stackexchange.com/users/56685/Rey
I'm researching visa requirements for a safari in 2017 and from what it looks like most of the countries will give a visa on arrival at the border.  However, looking at Malawi it's saying I need to obtain a visa prior:  https://travel.state.gov/content/passports/en/country/malawi.html  What the site doesn't really specify is if one can be obtained at the border. Unless I'm missing it.  So, do I need to get one before departure from the US, or will a visa on arrival be granted at the border?
Do I need to obtain a visa prior to visiting Malawi as a US Citizen?
travel.stackexchange.com
<visas><us-citizens><malawi>
travel.stackexchange.com/questions/73853
travel.stackexchange.com/users/24390/TravelLikeBeaker
You can obtain a visa on arrival by filling in a one page visa document, but for longer stays you must check in at the nearest Immigrations Office after 30 days in the country. To apply for a Visa, the Passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond the date of intended departure, and you must have obtained approval for a VOA from the Immigration Department in Malawi.  There seems to be confusion as to whether Americans need a visa to visit Malawi. However, it would appear that even visas on arrival may need to be requested in advance.
Americans do not need a visa they can get one at the airport on arrival. Americans do need a visa for Malawi and must apply before travelling. Visa on arrival is only availale when a standard visa cannot be obtained for some reason and must be requested before travelling.