Circulating news that Malawian citizens will no longer require visas for temporary travel to the United States, has been dismissed by the U.S. Embassy as false news.

The Lilongwe Embassy, posted on its Facebook page, “These reports are untrue. While we welcome visitors to the United States, Malawian citizens traveling to the United States must apply for and receive a visa prior to travel.”

On its website, the Embassy specifies that the purpose of one’s intended travel and other factors, will determine what type of visa is required under U.S. immigration law. “As a visa applicant, you will need to establish that you meet all requirements to receive the category of visa for which you are applying.” says the website.

Meanwhile the Embassy has stressed that the general public must cautious towards such false news as scamming techniques are on the rise. Says the embassy on social media, “We caution the Malawian public to be wary of potential scams and misinformation about U.S. visas, and to visit the U.S. Embassy website’s visa page, at https://mw.usembassy.gov/visas/ for accurate and up to date information about U.S. visa policy.”