Malawi has rejected 1,752 visa applications, arrested more than 1,000 foreign nationals and deported 223 others in an intensified nationwide immigration enforcement operation.

The Department of Immigration and Citizenship Services said the crackdown aims to tighten migration controls, safeguard national security and protect the integrity of Malawi's national identity and travel documents, the Malawi Freedom Network reported on 10 November 2026.

Passport fraud at the centre of the operation

Among those arrested are 45 foreign nationals suspected of trying to acquire Malawian passports fraudulently, raising fresh concerns about attempts to manipulate the country's citizenship and passport systems.

Two foreign nationals have been convicted in Blantyre over offences connected to attempts to obtain Malawian passports through fraudulent means. Yasin Chenda Moses, a Zambian national, and Bornlose Onasimbo Ntinkha, a Tanzanian national, are awaiting deportation to their countries.

One application under investigation

The department has also opened an investigation into the nationality claims of a passport applicant identified as Alice Banda in Lilongwe, after questions were raised about information submitted during her national identity registration.

According to immigration authorities, Banda's application went through document verification on 5 November 2026 but was rejected at the interview stage on 6 November. It was then rejected again during the audit process. The department stressed that the application never reached completion and that no Malawian passport was issued to the applicant. Investigations are continuing.

Warning against fraudulent applications

Pasqually Zulu, the national public relations officer for the department, warned that the authorities will not tolerate fraudulent activities or attempts to undermine the credibility of Malawi's national travel documents.

The department said it will continue working with local and international institutions to strengthen border management, improve migration oversight and make sure citizenship and immigration procedures comply with the law.

Malawi24 also reported the figures, saying immigration authorities had arrested more than 1,000 foreign nationals and deported 223 others in a crackdown that exposed attempts by foreigners to obtain Malawian passports fraudulently.

Passport fraud is the main target

The cases announced so far point to passport fraud as the main focus of the operation. Forty-five people were arrested on suspicion of trying to obtain Malawian passports by fraud, two men have been convicted in Blantyre for related offences, and a further application is under investigation in Lilongwe.

The department says the enforcement will continue, with the two convicted men awaiting deportation and the investigation into the Lilongwe application still open.