Working in Malawi as a French National: Permit, Taxation and Economy

Since 3 January 2026, the entry visa has been mandatory for French nationals: it is requested online (evisa.gov.mw) or, since February 2026, obtained on arrival at the airport. The rates published by France Diplomatie (the French foreign ministry’s travel advice service) are 50 US dollars for a single-entry transit or tourist or business visa, 150 US dollars for six months with multiple entries and 250 US dollars for twelve months. France Diplomatie’s “business travel” page, for its part, describes a business visa to be obtained before departure for 75 US dollars single entry: the two pages do not coincide, and the amounts as well as the procedure should be confirmed before buying a ticket.

This visa does not replace a work permit. To take up salaried work, the Malawian employer prepares the permit application with immigration; the documents, times and fees fall to that administration and should be confirmed before starting the job. Regulated professions may require prior recognition of qualifications.

Malawi has no representation in France according to France Diplomatie, the nearest consulate being in Belgium: for a business trip requiring a prior visa, the documents requested are a passport valid for at least six months, two photos, two forms and an assignment or invitation letter.

The minimum wage in Malawi is set by ministerial order, by category of activity, and revised periodically. The amount in force could not be read on an official source for this guide: it should be checked with the Ministry of Labour before signing a contract. No average salary is put forward.

The context helps in reading an offer: GDP per capita is of the order of 500 US dollars, one of the lowest in the world, and 22% of the population is food insecure. Jobs offered to foreigners are therefore concentrated in scarce skills and international organisations; the currency of payment, housing, health insurance and evacuation weigh in the comparison.

To compare a post, think in terms of the full package: salary, housing, safety, health insurance and repatriation, schooling, travel. The guide seconded or expatriate explains the differences in status.

The employment contract is the basis of the permit application: it specifies the position, pay, term, probationary period and notice. It is wise to have it reviewed by a local employment law professional. Tax on salaries is managed by the Malawian tax authority (Malawi Revenue Authority); the scales in force could not be read in an up-to-date version and should be checked on its website.

The BOFiP list of tax treaties indicates that France applies to Malawi the Franco-British convention of 14 December 1950 (Official Journal of 20 and 21 August 1951), supplemented by exchanges of letters of 5 November and 31 December 1963, for income tax only. This old text is more limited than a modern treaty: an employee on assignment should check its content before assuming an exemption.

Before departure, you must declare the change of tax residence or keep a residence in France if the stay is temporary; a written simulation from the tax office for individuals is recommended.

Malawi does not appear on the list of States and territories bound to France by a social security agreement published by CLEISS (the French liaison centre for international social security): periods worked locally cannot be added to French periods. According to Assurance Maladie (the French national health insurance), a seconded employee keeps French affiliation and, in a country without an agreement, dual affiliation with the host country’s scheme; care abroad is reimbursed on the basis of French rates.

For a local employee, protection depends on the employer and local rules, to be confirmed in the contract. France Diplomatie reminds us that, without an insurance or assistance contract covering medical costs, hospitalisation and medical repatriation, access to care may be refused, even in a life-threatening emergency; the embassy cannot cover any costs.

See the CFE (Caisse des Français de l’étranger, the French social security fund for expatriates) and reimbursements in Malawi.

A French self-employed person who wishes to settle in Malawi checks with immigration the permit suited to their activity (investment, work or residence), the conditions for setting up a business and tax registration. Exchange rules matter: France Diplomatie indicates that a currency control is carried out on entry and on exit, exit being authorised up to the amount declared on arrival.

No remote-worker visa is mentioned in the official pages read for this guide. A stay on a visitor visa lasts three months in total; for a longer presence, the residence document must be planned for. Income from a French employer remains to be declared in France according to tax residence. See digital nomad insurance and visas for digital nomads.

France Diplomatie describes an economy that is very little diversified and heavily dependent on agriculture. Growth remains limited, notably by droughts, and depends on structural reforms. Cyclone Freddy in 2023 caused more than 1,000 deaths and damage estimated at 700 million US dollars; the war in Ukraine sent the prices of grain and agricultural inputs soaring.

On the financial side, the IMF programme was terminated in May 2025 after a single disbursement, and the International Development Association is the main creditor, with nearly 50% of the debt stock.

For expatriates, opportunities are concentrated around international organisations, cooperation, agriculture and a few services; current inflation, growth and unemployment are shown in the “Economic indicators” block.

The currency is the kwacha; The kwacha exchange rate varies: check the rate of the day before any conversion. The usual means of payment is foreign currency in cash and credit cards are generally accepted in hotels. The exchange rate should be checked at the date of the decision.

The outlook depends on harvests, access to foreign currency, debt and structural reforms; the country is exposed to climate shocks. Before accepting a post, check the currency of the salary, the coverage of health insurance and evacuation, and the arrangements for transferring funds to France; see living in Malawi.