Work Permits & Business Immigration in Malawi via Employer of Record
Hiring foreign nationals in Malawi requires navigating a complex and often opaque immigration system. The process involves multiple government bodies, including the Department of Immigration and Citizenship Services and the Ministry of Labour. Employers without a local presence face significant challenges in sponsoring work permits and ensuring compliance with local regulations.
Acumen International acts as the legal Employer of Record (EOR) in Malawi. We sponsor work permits, manage all required filings, and provide compliant employment infrastructure under our registered local entity. This enables businesses to deploy foreign personnel in-country without setting up a local entity or navigating fragmented bureaucracy.
Work Authorisation Process in Malawi
Foreign nationals must obtain a Temporary Employment Permit (TEP) before commencing work in Malawi. The process includes several key steps:
1. Labour Market Test
Employers must demonstrate that the position cannot be filled by a Malawian national. This typically involves advertising the job locally and providing evidence of unsuccessful recruitment efforts.
2. Entry Visa Application
Depending on the applicant’s nationality, a visa may be required prior to arrival. The visa must align with the intended employment purpose.
3. Work Permit Application
The employer submits the TEP application to the Department of Immigration and Citizenship Services. Required documentation includes:
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Completed application forms
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Employment contract
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Proof of labour market test
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Academic and professional qualifications
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Police clearance from the applicant’s country of origin
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Medical certificate
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Company registration documents
4. Residence Permit Application
After work permit approval, the employee must apply for a residence permit to legalise their stay in Malawi. This involves additional documentation and coordination with immigration authorities.
Documents Required for Work and Residence Permits
Pre-Arrival: Employee
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Valid passport
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Entry visa application (if applicable)
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Police clearance certificate
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Academic and professional qualifications
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Signed offer letter from Acumen
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Passport-size photographs
Post-Arrival: Employer and Employee
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Employment contract
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Completed work permit and residence forms
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Local medical certificate
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Proof of accommodation
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Biometric data (fingerprinting, photo)
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Copies of visa, passport, and entry stamp
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Labour market declaration or waiver
All documents must be submitted in English or with certified translation. Missing or inconsistent documentation can lead to delays or rejections.
Delays can occur due to administrative bottlenecks or incomplete documentation. Acumen International sequences each phase to minimise idle time and ensure compliance.
All-In-One Global Employment Solution in Malawi
Acumen International provides comprehensive global employment services for building a global team, handling all aspects from hiring to compliance. Here’s what we can do:- Global Mobility Support: We simplify onboarding and immigration, enabling quick onboarding and engagement of international talent.
- Effortless Onboarding: We streamline your international employee onboarding, helping you launch teams and deploy talent faster.
- Global Payroll & Benefits Management: We manage international payroll and benefits, ensuring compliance and competitive compensation.
- Borderless Expansion Without Local Entities: We facilitate workforce expansion in 190+ countries, removing the need for local business entities.
- Hire Internationally, Operate Everywhere: We support scaling operations and swiftly seizing international opportunities.
- Risk-Free Market Navigation: We provide expert guidance for secure expansion, managing permanent establishment, employee misclassification risks and compliance challenges in new markets.