How to apply for a UK visa

All holders of Malawian passports travelling to the UK for any purpose, including as visitors or in transit, require prior entry clearance. This means that all holders of Malawian passports wishing to travel to the UK for any purpose must apply for entry clearance (visa) before travelling.

From December 2007 UK visa applications from Malawi have been sent to the High Commission in Pretoria for processing before being returned to Lilongwe. Visas are no longer processed in Lilongwe. Travellers from Malawi submit their visa applications to the Visa Application Centre (currently VFS/FedEx) in Lilongwe. The minimum estimated waiting time for a visa to be issued is 10 working days.

The British High Commission there advises all applicants to apply as early as possible to avoid any travel difficulties. Application forms and information leaflets are available from the Visa Application Centre in Lilongwe and on the UK Border Agency website.

Where can I get information?

The UK Border Agency and the British High Commission Pretoria work in partnership with a commercial organisation, Visa Facilitation Services (VFS).  

You can find out whether you need a visa and how to apply through the VFS website.  VFS also provides information through an e-mail and telephone enquiry service, the number is 082 234 4450 which will incur a national or international call charge, their e-mail address is info@vfs-uk-za.com. All the information provided is supplied and approved by the UK Border Agency.

Do I have to pay for the information?

No, all information is provided free of charge in Malawi.

Where can I get advice?

VFS and its staff cannot give you advice on how to complete your application, or what type of visa you should apply for.   If you need help with your application or advice about the UK's immigration rules and requirements, you should seek advice from a qualified immigration adviser. In the UK these are immigration advisers regulated by the Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner  or legally qualified professionals regulated by designated professional bodies.  Their websites are:

• Law Society of England and Wales
• Law Society of Scotland
• Law Society of Northern Ireland
• Institute of Legal Executives

How do I submit my application?

VFS manages Visa Application Centres in Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Lesotho, South Africa, Swaziland and Zimbabwe, where you should submit your application and your biometric fingerscans.

Please note that when submitting your application you MUST submit the following documentation to enable the Visa Application Centre to process your application:

Completed and signed visa application form
1 passport photo required
A national passport (must have at least 6 months validity before expiry date)
Before attending the Visa Application Centre, applicant should follow the procedure given below:

Applicants should decide which visa category they wish to apply for
Applicants should check they know the correct fee which can be found on the VFS website or at Fedex offices.
Pay the correct fee at National Bank of Malawi, Capital City Branch, Lilongwe. Applicants will be given a receipt for this payment.
Present their receipt at the Visa Application Centre to lodge their application.
If no receipt is presented, staff at the Centre will refuse to accept the application. Fees may be paid in cash or by bankers draft made payable to: SCB - BHC Visa Fee Collections.

You are strongly advised to submit full supporting and original documentation to accompany your application, this should help demonstrate you meet the criteria for your entry to the UK, e.g. bank statements, etc. Please not the British High Commission in Pretoria will retain original documentation that is not accompanied by a photocopy of the original. Full details on the criteria for entry to the UK, and suggested supporting documentation is freely available on the UKvisas website.

Who decides whether I will get a visa?

UK Border Agency staff in Pretoria will process and decide your visa application. VFS and its staff play no part in the outcome of your visa application. They cannot influence it in any way.  If any member of staff employed by VFS say they can influence your application, you should tell the British High Commission immediately.

Service standards - complaints and compliments

The UK Border Agency aims to offer a fair and professional service to all our customers.  We welcome feedback it helps us to see where we need to improve

If you have any comments, or are concerned about the standard of service you received, please let us know. We investigate all complaints fully and will send you a reply within 20 working days

• If you wish to complain about the service you received from the UK Border Agency at this High Commission, please address your complaint to the Entry Clearance Manager at Visa Section, British High Commission, Pretoria, P.O.Box 13611 or 13612, Hatfield, 0028 or by e-mail to info@vfs-uk-za.com.

• If you wish to complain about the service you received from VFS, you may submit it direct to their website, in person, or to the Entry Clearance Manager above.

The British High Commission would like to reassure travellers that the British Government remains committed to providing a secure and efficient visa service for Malawian citizens and other visa nationals wishing to travel to the UK.