Four African countries changed their entry rules in the past year. None of these changes made big headlines, but each one can turn a planned trip into a refused boarding. Here is what changed and who is affected.

Malawi: the 2024 visa waiver is over

In 2024 Malawi waived visas for many nationalities. It reversed that waiver in January 2026, and a new category system has applied since 24 February 2026.

Category Two: visa on arrival or e-visa. Citizens of these countries can get a visa on arrival (US$50 for a single entry). Applying for the e-visa before you travel is recommended:

Category One: visa before departure. Citizens of these countries must get a visa or prior authorisation before they travel, through the e-visa portal (evisa.gov.mw):

Other nationalities that benefited from the 2024 waiver are not yet confirmed on either list. If yours is one of them, check evisa.gov.mw before you fly.

Cabo Verde: visa on arrival ended for many nationalities

Since 1 January 2026, citizens of the countries below must get a visa from a Cabo Verde embassy or consulate before they travel (Despacho no. 244/GMAI/2025). Visa on arrival is no longer available to them:

If your country is not on this list, your passport page shows the rule that applies to you.

Chad: every visa application is now online

Since 11 May 2026, all visa applications for Chad are made only online, at evisa.td (Décret n°2299/PR/PM/MSPI/2025). Visas issued outside the platform have not been valid since 21 May 2026. If your nationality needs a visa for Chad, apply on evisa.td rather than at an embassy. Countries exempt from the visa are listed on the same site.

South Africa: an online ETA instead of a visitor visa

Since 1 October 2025, ordinary passport holders from four countries can apply online for an Electronic Travel Authorisation at eta.dha.gov.za instead of a visitor visa. South Africa no longer issues consular visitor visas to them. The ETA allows stays of up to 90 days per visit, and the fee has been ZAR 500 since 17 August 2026.

Where the rules come from

Cabo Verde's list comes from the official EASE country list. Chad's rules come from the immigration directorate's own e-visa portal. Malawi's categories come from a VisasNews report on the immigration department's lists of 6 August 2026, with the scheme confirmed by the official e-visa portal notice. South Africa's ETA is described by the law firm Fragomen, based on the Department of Home Affairs rules. If you see a newer official notice, email us and we will update this article and the passport data together.