Immigration Department to roll out e-Visa
The Department of Immigration has said it is set to roll out electronic visa (e-Visa) application to ease authorisation of visas.
The application will be a game–changer as it means visa applicants will be able to apply electronically after entering required information online.
The platform enables authorities to quickly grant approvals or rejections for the visa applications and applicants can be advised of the decision online. It also enables applicants to track progress of their visa application online.
In an interview with Weekend Nation on Wednesday, chief immigration officer Masauko Medi said efforts to roll out the system are at an advanced stage and the e-Visa system will be introduced soon.
“We have been working with the e-Government [Section] in the Ministry of Information, Communications Technology and Civic Education, and we developed everything required for the issuance of the e-visas.
“Currently what is remaining is the training of the officers and official launch of the programme. We will need ICT equipment which once installed, we will go live. This is an important project which is likely to improve on the tourism industry as accessibility of such important services will be easy,” he said.
Director of Tourism in the Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Culture Patricia Liabuba is on record saying the visa regime, will not only help boost revenue from the sector, but also push further the sector’s contribution to the country’s gross domestic product (GDP).
She said: “We are hoping to generate more income and boost the sector’s contribution to the GDP through this new system. We are certain that this would be to the benefit of Malawi.”
Malawi has four categories of visa namely transit, single entry, multiple entry and gratis visas. n
