BLANTYRE-(MaraviPost)-The Department of Immigration and Citizenship Services has announced plans to conduct a nationwide verification exercise for all holders of Service Passports issued between June 2020 and September 2025.
The exercise, aimed at curbing abuse, requires all individuals holding Service Passports to submit their passport numbers to their Controlling Officers for verification within a specified period.
According to a statement issued by the Department, the verification exercise follows observations that the use of Service Passports is being abused.
The Department aims to ensure that only bona fide members of the Civil Service are in possession of these passports, in line with Civil Service Regulations.
The verification exercise is part of the Department’s efforts to maintain the integrity of travel documents and prevent misuse.
All holders of Service Passports are required to comply with the directive and submit their passport numbers to their Controlling Officers within the specified timeframe.
The Department of Immigration and Citizenship Services has been working to improve the management of immigration and citizenship services in the country.
Recently, the Department embarked on a full-scale exercise to clear outstanding passport applications that were submitted between January 2023 and June 2024.
This verification exercise is expected to enhance the credibility of Service Passports and ensure that they are used for their intended purpose.
Members of the public are advised to cooperate with the Department and provide the required information to facilitate the verification process.
The Department’s efforts to improve the management of immigration and citizenship services are aimed at promoting national security and facilitating the movement of people into and out of the country.
LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-Malawians can now travel with confidence after government confirmed that the country’s new passports are fully compliant with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) standards, a milestone that means the documents will be recognized and verifiable across the globe.
Though not yet confirmed public, inside sources from the Ministry of Homeland confided in Nyasatimes on Monnday, describing it as “a turning point” in Malawi’s travel document history.
“For the first time in many years, we have a passport system that is not just functional, but internationally recognized. Every Malawian holding this new passport will be able to pass through global borders without fear of rejection,” said the source.
What ICAO compliance means ICAO, a UN specialized agency, sets the worldwide standards for passports under Doc 9303.
This framework defines how biometric data, machine-readable zones, and embedded chips should be formatted so they can be universally read by airport and border systems.
Countries such as the United States, South Africa, India, and the European Union states already use ICAO-compliant passports, and Malawi has now joined that list.
“This is about global interoperability,” the source explained. “When a Malawian presents this document in New York, Johannesburg or New Delhi, the systems there will read and verify it instantly. That’s the power of ICAO compliance.”
New system, new pace The government has contracted Madras Security Printers of India to run the new passport system on a permanent basis.
The rollout has already produced results: over 2,000 passports have been issued within days, and officials say the system has the capacity to print around 2,000 per day—a sharp improvement that will help clear the 100,000-plus application backlog.
Homeland Security Minister Ezekiel Ching’oma personally tested the process at the Immigration Department, where he had his own passport printed in record time.
“I walked in, completed the process, and within minutes my passport was ready. I wanted to prove to Malawians that the days of waiting endlessly are behind us,” the minister said.
The new service tiers promise express processing in 1–2 days and ordinary passports in up to 10 days.
Why it matters now The upgrade comes just months before ICAO’s January 2026 deadline requiring border systems worldwide to fully support the new biometric passport standard. By aligning with ICAO early, Malawi avoids future disruptions at foreign borders.
“We are ahead of the curve,” said Ching’oma. “This ensures that Malawians can travel freely and that our passport carries the dignity it deserves.”
Bottom line Malawi’s passport service has undergone a complete reset: globally recognized, faster, and reliable. With ICAO compliance secured and production running at full capacity, government says the era of frustration, rejection, and uncertainty is over.
“The Malawian passport is now a passport of pride,” Ching’oma declared. “It opens doors around the world, and it is being delivered to our people quickly and efficiently.”
The government has awarded a five-year contract worth approximately USD 29.9 million (about K52 Billion) to Madras Security Printers Private Limited, a new passport supplier.
This development was confirmed by Minister of Homeland Security Ezekiel Ching’oma, who stated that the new supplier is expected to commence operations by the end of April this year.
According to Ching’oma, the new system has the capacity to print up to 2000 passport booklets per day.
This is a significant improvement compared to the previous contract with Technobrain, which was worth USD 60,800,000.00 for a period of three years.
Ching’oma emphasized that the new contract offers better value for money, given its longer duration and lower cost.
“There is value for money here, because the previous contract with Technobrain was USD 60,800,000.00 for a period of 3 years, whereas, this contract is for the period of 5 years,” he said.
The awarding of this contract marks a significant milestone in the government’s efforts to improve the efficiency and security of passport production.
The new supplier is expected to bring in modern technology and expertise, which will enhance the quality and speed of passport production.
The government’s decision to award the contract to Madras Security Printers Private Limited is seen as a positive move, given the company’s reputation and experience in passport production.
The company is expected to work closely with the government to ensure a smooth transition and to meet the high standards required for passport production.
The development is also expected to have a positive impact on the economy, as it will create new job opportunities and stimulate economic growth.
The government has assured citizens that the new passport production system will be secure, efficient, and reliable, and that it will meet the highest international standards.
The awarding of the contract to Madras Security Printers Private Limited is a significant development that is expected to improve the efficiency and security of passport production in the country.
The government’s efforts to modernize the passport production system are commendable, and citizens can look forward to a more efficient and reliable service.
The passport procurement process in Malawi has become a source of frustration for many citizens, particularly in the wake of growing travel challenges. These issues, coupled with concerns over the integrity of suppliers and allegations of corruption, have raised alarm among Malawians who rely on passports for their livelihoods, especially those traveling to countries like South Africa. As pressure mounts, the government remains largely unresponsive, leaving the public in a state of uncertainty. A questionnaire sent to Honorable Moses Kunkuyu, Minister of Information and Digitalization, remains unanswered, further heightening concerns.
Key Issues in the passport procurement process
1) Current challenges: One of the most pressing challenges Malawians face is the frequent denial of entry into South Africa due to issues with their passports. These challenges are compounded by delays in passport applications, leaving many unable to travel or meet important deadlines. The public is eager for a government-led solution that addresses these issues promptly.
2) Procurement process: The process of procuring new passport suppliers has come under scrutiny, particularly because of the perceived lack of transparency. With no clear communication from the government on how suppliers are being selected, questions remain about the evaluation criteria for new vendors. It is crucial that the government outline these criteria to ensure public confidence in the procurement process.
3) Involvement of dubious suppliers: Reports linking Semlex, a supplier mired in controversy and accusations of money laundering, to the current procurement process have sparked concern. This raises questions about whether the government is taking the necessary steps to avoid contracting companies with questionable histories. Ensuring transparency in supplier selection is paramount to restoring public trust.
4) E-Tech’s Performance and failures: The failure of the e-passport system, provided by E-Tech, has only worsened the situation, with many passports being labeled ‘unreadable.’ This has led to significant inconvenience for travelers, particularly those trying to enter countries that now view Malawian passports with suspicion. The government needs to address these technological failures and offer solutions to those affected.
5) Corruption allegations: Allegations of corruption in the procurement process cannot be ignored. The lack of accountability and the potential for underhanded dealings only serve to erode public trust further. The government must take clear steps to investigate these claims and implement measures to combat corruption within the passport issuance process.
6) Timeline for resolution: The urgency of the passport procurement challenges calls for swift action. Citizens need to know when these issues will be resolved and when they can expect a smoother process. Without a clear timeline, frustrations will only continue to grow.
7) Public awareness and transparency: The government’s communication with the public on the ongoing passport challenges has been inadequate. A clear plan for public awareness, outlining changes, improvements, and timelines, is essential. Without transparency, rumors and misinformation are likely to spread, further complicating the situation.
8) Collaboration with civil society: Civil society organizations can play a vital role in ensuring the procurement process is fair and transparent. Collaboration between the government and these organizations would allow for greater scrutiny and input from the public, ensuring that citizens’ concerns are addressed.
9) Feedback mechanisms: One of the missing elements in the current passport process is a system for receiving feedback from citizens. Implementing a robust feedback mechanism would allow the government to gather insights from affected individuals and take appropriate action to improve the process.
10) Future prevention: To prevent a recurrence of these issues, the government must develop and enforce strict guidelines for supplier selection and passport management. This includes ensuring that contracts with future suppliers are transparent, and the suppliers have a proven track record of success. Additionally, the government should establish better oversight mechanisms to ensure accountability in the procurement process.
The ongoing challenges with Malawi’s passport procurement process have left many citizens in limbo, particularly those who rely on travel for their livelihoods. Without clear answers or a transparent path forward from the government, frustrations will continue to mount. The lack of response from Minister Moses Kunkuyu only deepens these concerns, leaving the public wondering when, if ever, the government will take action to resolve these critical issues.
As Malawians wait for answers, it is imperative that the government step up its efforts to ensure the passport issuance process is transparent, efficient, and free from corruption. Until then, the uncertainty surrounding passport applications and travel will persist, hindering the mobility of Malawians both at home and abroad.
More updates will follow as information becomes available.
LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-The Department of Immigration and Citizenship Services has disclosed that its efforts to resume printing of passports have been successful, with the newly acquired machine printing 15, 000 passports per day.
This contradicts social media reports some quarters of the society have been circulating that the system remains hacked.
The department’s spokesperson, Wellington Chiponde, said it is not true that the system had been tampered again.
“We are printing the passports. Of course, we are not receiving new applications because we are waiting for the parliament to gazette the new price of K50, 000 before accepting new applicants,” said Chiponde.
On February 29, 2024, President Lazarus Chakwera gave the department a 21-day ultimatum to restore the system and resume the printing of passports.
Chakwera said he was concerned with the suffering Malawians were being subjected to due to long wait for the travel documents.
He said as a caring leader, he would not allow his people to continue suffering to get passports when the country has plenty of ICT technocrats.
And before the expiry of the 21 days, the department announced that it had restored the system and that printing of the passports had started.
In an interview on Saturday, Chiponde, maintained that the printing of the passports is going on very well.
Chiponde also reminded Malawians that fees for the e-passports have been by 55.
According to a statement the Director General, Brigadier General Charles Kalumo, released on Wednesday, issuance of the e-Passport Issuance Services resumed gradually in Lilongwe before expanding the services to other regions.
Kalumo had stated that the Chakwera-led government has reduced the e-Passport fee by 55 percent for local Malawians, from K90, 000 to K50, 000, for ordinary passports with waiting processing time of 10 days when the system is fully calibrated and operating optimally.
“More details will be announced soon when the Honourable Ministers of Homeland Security and Information hold a press conference,” read the DG’s announcement.
Kalumo thanked Malawians for exercising patience during the time the e-passport issuance system was being fixed by a team of local experts from various entities who ‘worked around the clock to complete the task within the timeframe set by His Excellency the President’.
But it would appear that this did not please some quarters of the society, especially the opposition Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) zealots, who had been spreading fake news that the system was down again.
DPP is not happy with the department’s termination of the contract with Techno Brain where it used to get US$10 from the US$90 the company was getting from the deal.
The termination of the contract, thus, meant that the former governing party had lost its source of revenue.
It is probably against this background that DPP zealots have been writing and posting fake news about the department and its services since the party lost power in the Fresh Presidential Elections in June 2020.
BLANTYRE-(MaraviPost)-In a shocking revelation, it has come to light that President Lazarus Chakwera has been involved in a web of corruption and clandestine deals aimed at stealing from the Malawian Immigration Department.
What was originally portrayed as a move to combat hackers demanding ransom has now been exposed as a cover-up for Chakwera’s own deceitful actions.
The recent scandal involving the Immigration Department and Technobrain has sent shockwaves across the country, revealing the extent of corruption and incompetence within the government.
It all started when it was discovered that the machines used to process passports were operating illegally due to the lack of proper licensing by Technobrain.
The truth behind the scandal is more sinister than initially thought.
Chakwera, in a bid to secure funding for his own personal gain, orchestrated a plan to create a false narrative of hackers demanding ransom from the government.
This was all a ploy to divert attention away from his own involvement in underhanded dealings with Technobrain.
Under Chakwera’s orders, officials within the Immigration Department colluded with contacts at MACRA and the Ministry of Information to bypass the legal requirements for licensing the machines.
This led to a standoff between Technobrain and the government, with the company rightfully demanding payment for the licenses that were never obtained.
Chakwera’s involvement in this scandal goes even deeper.
It has been revealed that he personally negotiated with Technobrain to ensure that the machines continued operating without the necessary licenses, all while lining his own pockets with kickbacks and shady dealings.
The fallout from this scandal has far-reaching consequences, not only for the government’s reputation but also for the security of sensitive information within the immigration system.
Chakwera’s actions have exposed the vulnerability of government systems to hacking and manipulation, putting the integrity of the passport processing system at risk.
This incident serves as a stark reminder of the challenges facing Malawi in terms of governance, transparency, and accountability.
Chakwera’s blatant disregard for due process and his willingness to engage in corrupt practices for personal gain are a betrayal of the trust placed in him by the Malawian people.
As the truth behind Chakwera’s corruption and clandestine deals comes to light, it is imperative that swift action is taken to hold him accountable for his actions.
The government must prioritize rooting out corruption, improving governance practices, and strengthening cybersecurity measures to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.
In conclusion, the exposure of Chakwera’s involvement in the immigration scandal sheds light on the darker side of Malawi’s leadership.
It is a wakeup call for the country to demand better from its elected officials and to ensure that those in power are held to account for their actions.
Only by addressing corruption and promoting transparency can Malawi move towards a brighter and more honest future.
LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-Malawians have to wait for a new company which will take over from Techno brain in December this year for a reduced amount of passport service.
Minister of Homeland Jean Sendeza revealed this on Wednesday, August 24, 2022 during face the press in Lilongwe.
Sendeza facing the press
Sendeza said for the passports price to subsidize government is expected to hire a new company which will be dealing with issuing of passport.
She said currently the passports price are still high as government is in search of the new company to hire.
On issue of the asylum seekers ,she said following the court order, government is expected to relocate all the refugees from all the cities and districts from August 30, 2022 this month to Dzaleka camp up to April 2023.
She said Dzaleka was designated for 10,000 refugees but unfortunately now they are 50,000 plus.
She said with the support from UNHCR the refugees will be receiving rations to sustain their well beings.
Meanwhile Malawians will continue to struggle to get passport through immigration as government is only providing emergency passports.
It is no longer a secret that the Malawi’s Department of Immigration and Citizenship Services has for a long time been milking Malawians by making them pay for passports at an exorbitant price which would otherwise be at K14, 000 per ordinary copy.
According to some impeccable sources, what the State Vice President Dr Saulos Klaus Chilima used to say in his campaign rallies that a passport can be reduced from K80, 000 to as low as K14, 000 is not only possible but also realistic.
This, therefore, means that government through the passport issuing department has been punishing innocent Malawians by pegging the passport charges at the highest peak, possibly making it the most expensive document in Africa.
The source further discloses that the department purchases a passport book from Techno Brain at K2, 764. 20. But how its final charge skyrockets to K80, 000 or higher is not only puzzling but questionable at the same time.
It is, thus, an open secret that part of what Malawians have been paying for the document, was going into the pockets of some individuals within the ranks and file of the department.
No wonder, then, that this department, just like the Directorate of Road Traffic and Safety Services, Malawi Revenue Authority (MRA) and other departments, is well known for corruption in the country.
George Lamya Passport Officer at US Embassy being Recalled
ATLANTA(MaraviPost): Malawians residing in the USA should brace for problems in renewing their Passports as outstanding passport officer George Lamya who has been a fixture at the Passport Office in DC has been recalled as part of the budget cutting initiative done by George Chaponda before he was assigned another Portfolio.
George Lamya when Malawi initiated the new bio-metric passports worked hand in hand with the Maravi post as he toured different states and cities in the USA including Atlanta, Indiana and Seattle among them.
In a statement released March 2016, George Chaponda said as one way of enhancing efficiency of Malawi’s foreign missions, The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation had embarked on an exercise of downsizing personnel of both Diplomats and local staff in all Malawi missions abroad.
Disclosing this to the media at the Ministry’s headquarters in Lilongwe, Minister responsible George Chaponda said through the exercise government has reduced the number of Diplomats from 234 down to 152, saving a total of 3.1 Billion Kwacha in personal emoluments and another 2.2 Billion Kwacha in rentals of Diplomats houses and schools’ fees for their children.
Chaponda told Media then that Government expects greater output in attracting tourism and potential investors, even with lean staff that will be maintained.
“We have been looking at our foreign service in order to see what are the areas that we can have some reforms. The first aspect is that we find that some of our embassies are overstaffed, and that therefore we have decided to rationalize the numbers by reducing from eighteen in some cases to around six across the board,” disclosed Chaponda.
Passport Information on Malawi US Embassy in DC:
The Embassy of Malawi in Washington, D.C. would like to inform all Malawians resident in the Washington Metropolitan area that the application process for the replacement of Malawi Passports will commence at the Malawi Embassy located on 2408 Massachusetts Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20008 on Monday, August 1st, 2011. Consular hours are as follows: 9:30a.m. to 12 noon. However, for the purpose of this exercise, consular hours will be extended to 6:30pm.
To ensure that applicants are assisted efficiently and in time, applicants are requested to first call the Embassy on 202 721 0270 extensions 556 to book an appointment with Mrs. Agnes Duker. Appointments may also be made by e-mail to Malawippt@gmail.com. In both cases applicants must provide their full names as they appear in the old passport, current residential address, telephone/cell phone numbers and e-mail address. Appointments made by e-mail will be confirmed by return e-mail as soon as possible.
Passport forms shall be obtained and filled at the Embassy in black ink. All applicants should report in person since they shall be required to submit fingerprints and remember to bring the following with them: –
Current or expired Malawi passport
Two passport size photographs taken on a white background: size: 4.5 x 3.5 centimeters.
Prescribed $200 fee
Police report or certificate for lost passports
Marriage certificate in the case of married women
Birth certificates and copies of parents’ Malawi passports for children born in the U.S. and
Divorce or husband’s death certificate in the case of women who would like to change surname.
Applicants are required to bring their children including those below the age of ten (10 years) since they are now required to have their own passports. Children below the age of eighteen (18 years) must be accompanied by their parents or legal guardians with proof of legal guardianship.
The Consular Officer at the Malawi Embassy is currently working on the logistics for facilitating the application process for the replacement of the passports for Malawian national’s resident in Canada, Mexico and elsewhere in the United States of America. In this regard, another announcement will be made on the Embassy’s website (www.malawiembassy-dc.org) in due course advising those Malawian nationals how the application process will be carried out.
In the meantime, the Malawi Embassy is inviting Malawi Associations or groups, or individual Malawians resident in Canada, Mexico and the United States to assist in identifying key locations in their localities with the largest concentration of Malawians and suitable venues (e.g. schools, church grounds or yard, public parks, homes, etc.) to facilitate the work of the Consular Officer as far as possible.
To speed up the application process, applicants are encouraged to travel to Washington, DC with members of their families to process their applications at the Malawi Embassy without having to wait for the Consular Officer to visit their areas.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:
Can I use my current (old) passport to leave and return to my country of residence (Canada, Mexico or the United States of America)?
Answer: The old passports may still be used by Malawians in the diaspora for international travel from the country of residence to another country other than Malawi and back. However, a Malawian who returns to Malawi will not be allowed to leave the country using the old passport.
Malawians who wish to travel to Malawi to visit must at the earliest opportunity have their passports replaced before returning to their country of residence.
Is the Malawi Embassy issuing the new passports?
Answer: No. The completed applications will be forwarded to Malawi where the passports will be issued by the Malawi Department of Immigration. All efforts will be made to ensure that the passports are issued and forwarded to the applicants within a period of thirty (30) to forty (40) days.
All suggestions or inquiries regarding the new Passport system or the provision of consular services by the Malawi Embassy should be addressed for the attention of Mr. George Lamya t
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