How to Apply for Malawian Citizenship in Malawi

You can apply for Malawian citizenship in three ways: naturalization as a non-citizen, notification and registration of dual citizenship if you already hold Malawian citizenship and another country’s citizenship, or restoration of Malawian citizenship if you lost it. The process and documents required differ depending on which category applies to you.²⁴

Naturalization for non-citizens

If you are a non-commonwealth citizen who has lived in Malawi for over 7 years, you can apply for citizenship.⁴ You must have adequate knowledge of English and any one of the prescribed vernacular languages, good character suitable to be a citizen of Malawi, and be financially solvent.⁴ You need to fill in the prescribed application form and attach certified copies of a valid passport, certified copy of a valid permit, and other requirements listed on the naturalization checklist.¹¹

Dual citizenship notification and registration

If you are a Malawian citizen by birth or descent and have acquired another country’s citizenship, you can apply to register as a dual citizen.² Submit Form AA with a covering letter, fully completed application forms, two passport size photographs, certified photocopies of your birth certificate and National ID, all documents in duplicate, and a prescribed fee of K100,000.³ Provide your email address and phone number.³

Restoration of Malawi citizenship

If you lost Malawian citizenship by acquiring another country’s citizenship under old citizenship laws, you can apply for restoration as a dual citizen using Form AC.² Submit all documents in duplicate: a covering letter, fully completed application forms, two passport size photographs, certified photocopies of a valid or expired Malawi passport bio-data page, certified photocopies of your birth certificate, and a prescribed fee of K100,000.⁷ You may also need an affidavit from a parent or relative attesting to citizenship if you lack other documents.⁷

Notification of dual citizenship for minors at age 19

If you became aware as a minor that you hold dual citizenship, you can notify the government when you turn 19 using Form AE.² Submit in duplicate: a covering letter, fully completed application forms, two passport size photographs, certified photocopies of valid Malawi passport bio-data pages from both countries, certified photocopies of your birth certificate, any other citizenship documents, a prescribed fee of K50,000, and your email address and phone number.¹