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Every figure confirmed directly by the official immigration portal

Business Residence Permit (BRP)
Malawi

A rare case where every key figure is confirmed directly by Malawi's official Department of Immigration website, with no need to cross-check alternative sources: a $50,000 threshold, a 5-year renewable term, and an $800 fee.

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Minimum investment threshold
$50,000
Source of funds
legally, from outside Malawi
Permit term
5 years
Issuance fee
$800

What the official portal actually confirms

Unlike many programmes where several sources need reconciling due to discrepancies, every parameter here comes straight from Malawi's Department of Immigration website.

METRIC
OFFICIALLY CONFIRMED
SOURCE
Minimum threshold
OFFICIALLY CONFIRMED$50,000
immigration.gov.mw
Origin of funds
OFFICIALLY CONFIRMEDlegal source outside Malawi
immigration.gov.mw
Term and renewal
OFFICIALLY CONFIRMED5 years, renewable in 5-year periods
immigration.gov.mw
Issuance fee
OFFICIALLY CONFIRMED$800 (or the kwacha equivalent)
immigration.gov.mw

What the process consists of

The application is forwarded to the Minister for a decision — the business has no right to start operating before the permit is formally approved.

COST ITEM
AMOUNT
NOTE
Investment in a Malawian business
AMOUNTfrom $50,000
funds must originate from outside Malawi
BRP issuance fee
AMOUNT$800
payable within 30 days of the approval notification

How the process runs

01
Preparing a business proposal with investment details
A full description of the investment project, from $50,000, from a legal source outside Malawi.
02
Submitting the application at Immigration Headquarters or a regional office
Application form, a police clearance certificate from the country of origin, two photographs.
03
Review and the Minister's decision
Formal notification of approval or rejection.
04
Paying the $800 fee within 30 days
After receiving the approval notification.
05
Renewal 3 months before expiry
With confirmation that the business remains viable and operating.

A good fit if

You're ready to invest from $50,000 in manufacturing, mining, agriculture, fisheries, tourism, financial services, or another productive sector.
Your funds come from a legal source outside Malawi and you can document that.
You're fine with a long but stable permit term — 5 years, renewable in matching periods.
You value that every parameter of this programme is confirmed directly by the official government portal, not only by independent sources.

A poor fit if

You plan to start operating the business before the permit is formally approved — per the available data that's explicitly prohibited.
Your funds originate from within Malawi — the requirement explicitly specifies an outside origin.
You want a shorter initial term with more frequent check-ins — here it's 5 years upfront, though renewal does require proving the business remains viable.
You're not prepared for the application to go through a personal ministerial decision rather than an automated process.

Who runs this programme

Your request goes to two or three firms from this list. You see exactly which ones before it is sent, and you can exclude any of them.

No matching firms in the directory for this category yet — the list is curated by hand and grows over time.

This is an independent list of firms in the market, not our partners — we do not forward requests to them or receive payment for referrals. Contact them directly via the link.

Frequent questions

Is the $50,000 threshold really officially fixed, not a consultancy estimate?

Yes — per the available data the amount is stated directly on Malawi's official Department of Immigration portal, with no need to consult third-party sources.

Can I invest funds already held inside Malawi?

No — per the available data the requirement explicitly states the funds must originate from a legal source outside the country.

How long does the permit last and how is it renewed?

Per the available data — 5 years from approval, renewable for successive 5-year periods, with the renewal application filed 3 months before expiry along with proof the business remains viable.

How much does the permit itself cost to issue?

Per the available data — $800 (or the equivalent in Malawian kwacha), payable within 30 days of the approval notification.

Who decides the application?

Per the available data, the application is forwarded directly to the Minister for a decision after review by the immigration service.

Sources

Department of Immigration, Republic of Malawi (immigration.gov.mw) — official description of the Business Residence Permit: the $50,000 threshold, the requirement that funds originate from outside Malawi, the 5-year term renewable in 5-year periods, the $800 fee, eligible investment sectors, and the application and ministerial-review procedure↗

Figures are for reference only. Verified against official sources on 27 August 2026. A precise quote is issued by the appointed firm after document review. This material is not legal advice, a public offer or investment advice.