Working in Malawi: permits, labour law and job offers

A labour ministry with a broader remit

The official website presents the Ministry of Labour, while a news item from November 2025 uses the name Ministry of Labour, Skills and Innovation. It covers technical and vocational training, occupational safety, labour services and compensation for workplace accidents.

Graduate internships and the Zantchito programme

The ministry runs two visible projects: the Graduate Internship Programme, aimed at young graduates, and Zantchito. Eligibility conditions are not detailed in our notes: ask the ministry directly to find out about upcoming intakes and how to apply.

Trade Testing: getting a manual trade recognised

The Trade Testing directorate is one of the ministry's services. For an electrician, bricklayer or mechanic, a locally recognised certification can make hiring easier; ask which tests correspond to your qualification before you apply for positions.

The Employment Act of 2000 and its review

The core text is the Employment Act No. 6 of 2000, which can be downloaded from the ministry's website. A ministry news item dated 27 November 2025 mentions a validation workshop on this law and the Labour Relations Act: watch for forthcoming changes.

Five minimum wage rates

The ILO counts five rates in Malawi. A specific rate for domestic workers and three rates for long-distance drivers were introduced in 2021, the latter varying according to load and destination. The amounts in kwacha have not been verified.

A reduced rate for small businesses

Since January 2024, a lower minimum has applied to small businesses, under Government Notice No. 2 of 19 January 2024. If you are hired by a small organisation, ask exactly which scale applies to you before agreeing to any terms.

The Temporary Employment Permit step by step

The TEP is issued by the Department of Immigration before entry into Malawi. The employer submits the application on the candidate's behalf while the candidate waits outside the country. An approval committee examines the file, then the minister takes the final decision.

Fees, renewals and lodging the application

Processing fees and then approval fees are payable, the latter within 30 days. The permit can be renewed twice, with an application made at least three months before expiry, at immigration headquarters or at a regional office.

The online e-Permit system

The government provides the Malawi e-Permit System, the official portal for permit applications. Use only this channel or immigration offices, and turn down anyone offering to speed up the procedure in exchange for payment.

NGOs and international organisations are hiring

Impactpool, ReliefWeb and NGO Jobs in Africa publish vacancies in Malawi. Our guide to working for NGOs and the one on United Nations agencies explain what these employers expect and how their selection stages work.

Statistics: what remains to be confirmed

A 2024 labour force survey is listed in the ILO catalogue, but its figures have not been recorded. The unemployment rate, the informal share, the employing sectors and the public employment service therefore remain unverified for now.

Zambia and Mozambique, neighbouring markets

Mobile candidates often compare with Zambia, where the Employment Permit can last ten years, or with Mozambique, which publishes minimum wages by sector. Each country imposes its own permit procedure and timetable.

Authorities and platforms in Malawi

• Ministry of Labour: Labour ministry responsible for vocational training, labour services and Trade Testing.
• Department of Immigration: Department that issues the Temporary Employment Permit to foreign workers before they enter.
• Malawi e-Permit System: Official online portal for submitting and tracking permit applications.
• Impactpool: Platform for United Nations and NGO vacancies, with a page devoted to Malawi.
• ReliefWeb Jobs: Humanitarian and development vacancies that can be filtered to show only posts in Malawi.
• NGO Jobs in Africa: Site specialising in vacancies from non-governmental organisations across the African continent.

Procedure for a job in Malawi

1. Target vacancies published on Impactpool, ReliefWeb or NGO Jobs in Africa according to your profile.
2. Have your manual qualification validated through Trade Testing if your trade requires it.
3. Once you have accepted the offer, let the employer submit the TEP application to immigration.
4. Stay outside the country while the committee and then the minister examine the file.
5. Pay the approval fees within 30 days of the favourable decision.
6. Note the expiry date and start the renewal at least three months beforehand.

Employment rules in figures for Malawi

Documents for a Malawian work permit

• Valid passport
• Job offer or employment contract
• TEP application form submitted by the employer
• CV and certified qualifications
• Proof of fee payment
• Trade Testing certificate for manual trades

What not to do in Malawi

• Entering Malawi to await the TEP decision, when the candidate must remain outside the country.
• Paying a so-called facilitator to speed up the permit instead of using the e-Permit system or an official office.
• Letting the permit lapse by starting the renewal less than three months before the expiry date.
• Accepting a salary without asking which minimum rate applies: domestic worker, driver, small business or general.

Information up to date as of October 2026. AfriqueJob.com does not recruit and never asks for money: beware of offers that demand fees.