By Suleman Chitera
Malawi has landed on a United States government watchlist after recording high visa overstay rates, a development that could further tighten travel conditions for Malawian nationals.
According to the latest US Overstay Report published by the White House, Malawi registered worrying levels of non-compliance with visa conditions among its citizens travelling to the United States.
The report shows that Malawians on B-1/B-2 visas—issued for business and tourism—recorded an overstay rate of 22.45 percent. Even more concerning, holders of F, M and J visas, which cover students, vocational trainees and exchange visitors, posted a higher overstay rate of 31.99 percent.
US authorities use the annual overstay report to assess how well foreign nationals adhere to immigration rules after entering the country. High overstay figures are often cited as justification for stricter visa vetting, longer processing times, or broader travel restrictions.
The US government has already pointed to visa overstays as one of the factors behind recent travel restrictions affecting Malawian nationals, raising fears that future applicants could face increased scrutiny or reduced approval chances.
The development is a setback for Malawians seeking opportunities in the United States for tourism, business, education and exchange programmes, and underscores growing concerns within US immigration circles about compliance by travellers from Malawi.
Analysts warn that unless the trend is reversed, the country risks deeper travel limitations that could affect students, professionals and businesses alike.
